ATI RN Pharmacology Retake Exam |
2025/2026 Updated & Verified Real
Questions and Rationales
Question 1: Medication Safety
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro (Humalog) to a client with type 1 diabetes. The order is
for 8 units subcutaneous. Which action ensures medication safety?
A. Administer immediately after drawing up the dose
B. Verify the dose with another nurse before administration
C. Mix with regular insulin in the same syringe
D. Inject into the deltoid muscle for faster absorption
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ATI RN Pharmacology 2025/2026 emphasizes the "five rights" of medication administration,
including right dose, with high-alert medications like insulin requiring double-check verification by two
nurses to prevent errors such as overdose, which can lead to severe hypoglycemia. Administering without
verification (A) risks error; lispro should not be mixed with other insulins (C) due to altered onset;
subcutaneous sites are abdomen/thigh/arm (D), not deltoid.
Question 2: Medication Safety
A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin) 5 mg daily. The nurse notes the client's
INR is 1.8. What is the priority safety action?
A. Hold the dose and notify the provider
B. Administer the dose as ordered
C. Increase the dose to 7.5 mg
D. Switch to subcutaneous heparin
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Per ATI 2025/2026, therapeutic INR for AFib is 2.0-3.0; subtherapeutic levels (1.8) increase
thrombosis risk, requiring dose hold and provider notification for adjustment. Administering (B) risks
inefficacy; self-increasing (C) unsafe; heparin (D) is bridge, not replacement.
Question 3: Medication Safety
A nurse is administering vancomycin IV to a client with MRSA pneumonia. The infusion is set at 1 g
over 60 minutes. What safety precaution is essential?
A. Infuse over 90-120 minutes to prevent red man syndrome
B. Administer as a bolus for rapid effect
C. Mix with normal saline only
D. Monitor for ototoxicity weekly
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ATI standards highlight slow infusion (≥60 min/g) to avoid histamine release causing red man
syndrome (flushing/pruritus). Bolus (B) exacerbates; compatibility (C) secondary; ototoxicity (D)
long-term monitoring.
Question 4: Medication Safety
A client receiving chemotherapy with doxorubicin (Adriamycin) has an order for 50 mg/m² IV. The
client's BSA is 1.8 m². What is the correct dose calculation?
A. 90 mg
B. 50 mg
C. 75 mg
D. 100 mg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ATI 2025/2026 requires accurate dose calculation: 50 mg/m² × 1.8 m² = 90 mg, preventing
under/overdosing and cardiotoxicity. Fixed (B) ignores BSA; others miscalculate.
Question 5: Medication Safety
, A nurse is teaching a client about digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.125 mg daily for heart failure. Which statement by
the client indicates safety understanding?
A. "I will take it with antacids to reduce stomach upset."
B. "I should monitor my pulse before each dose."
C. "I can double the dose if I miss one."
D. "Grapefruit juice enhances its effect."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ATI emphasizes pulse check (hold if <60 bpm) for bradycardia risk. Antacids (A) reduce
absorption; doubling (C) toxic; grapefruit (D) unrelated (CYP3A4 for statins).
Question 6: Medication Safety
A client with tuberculosis is starting isoniazid (INH) 300 mg daily. What safety lab should be monitored
baseline?
A. Liver function tests
B. Renal panel
C. CBC
D. Coagulation studies
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ATI 2025/2026 requires baseline LFTs for INH hepatotoxicity risk (ALT/AST monthly).
Renal (B)/CBC (C)/coag (D) not primary.
Question 7: Medication Safety
A nurse is administering morphine 2 mg IV push to a client in pain. What precaution prevents respiratory
depression?
A. Administer over 4-5 minutes
B. Give as rapid bolus
C. Repeat every 5 minutes
D. Combine with acetaminophen
Correct Answer: A
2025/2026 Updated & Verified Real
Questions and Rationales
Question 1: Medication Safety
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro (Humalog) to a client with type 1 diabetes. The order is
for 8 units subcutaneous. Which action ensures medication safety?
A. Administer immediately after drawing up the dose
B. Verify the dose with another nurse before administration
C. Mix with regular insulin in the same syringe
D. Inject into the deltoid muscle for faster absorption
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ATI RN Pharmacology 2025/2026 emphasizes the "five rights" of medication administration,
including right dose, with high-alert medications like insulin requiring double-check verification by two
nurses to prevent errors such as overdose, which can lead to severe hypoglycemia. Administering without
verification (A) risks error; lispro should not be mixed with other insulins (C) due to altered onset;
subcutaneous sites are abdomen/thigh/arm (D), not deltoid.
Question 2: Medication Safety
A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin) 5 mg daily. The nurse notes the client's
INR is 1.8. What is the priority safety action?
A. Hold the dose and notify the provider
B. Administer the dose as ordered
C. Increase the dose to 7.5 mg
D. Switch to subcutaneous heparin
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Per ATI 2025/2026, therapeutic INR for AFib is 2.0-3.0; subtherapeutic levels (1.8) increase
thrombosis risk, requiring dose hold and provider notification for adjustment. Administering (B) risks
inefficacy; self-increasing (C) unsafe; heparin (D) is bridge, not replacement.
Question 3: Medication Safety
A nurse is administering vancomycin IV to a client with MRSA pneumonia. The infusion is set at 1 g
over 60 minutes. What safety precaution is essential?
A. Infuse over 90-120 minutes to prevent red man syndrome
B. Administer as a bolus for rapid effect
C. Mix with normal saline only
D. Monitor for ototoxicity weekly
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ATI standards highlight slow infusion (≥60 min/g) to avoid histamine release causing red man
syndrome (flushing/pruritus). Bolus (B) exacerbates; compatibility (C) secondary; ototoxicity (D)
long-term monitoring.
Question 4: Medication Safety
A client receiving chemotherapy with doxorubicin (Adriamycin) has an order for 50 mg/m² IV. The
client's BSA is 1.8 m². What is the correct dose calculation?
A. 90 mg
B. 50 mg
C. 75 mg
D. 100 mg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ATI 2025/2026 requires accurate dose calculation: 50 mg/m² × 1.8 m² = 90 mg, preventing
under/overdosing and cardiotoxicity. Fixed (B) ignores BSA; others miscalculate.
Question 5: Medication Safety
, A nurse is teaching a client about digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.125 mg daily for heart failure. Which statement by
the client indicates safety understanding?
A. "I will take it with antacids to reduce stomach upset."
B. "I should monitor my pulse before each dose."
C. "I can double the dose if I miss one."
D. "Grapefruit juice enhances its effect."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ATI emphasizes pulse check (hold if <60 bpm) for bradycardia risk. Antacids (A) reduce
absorption; doubling (C) toxic; grapefruit (D) unrelated (CYP3A4 for statins).
Question 6: Medication Safety
A client with tuberculosis is starting isoniazid (INH) 300 mg daily. What safety lab should be monitored
baseline?
A. Liver function tests
B. Renal panel
C. CBC
D. Coagulation studies
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ATI 2025/2026 requires baseline LFTs for INH hepatotoxicity risk (ALT/AST monthly).
Renal (B)/CBC (C)/coag (D) not primary.
Question 7: Medication Safety
A nurse is administering morphine 2 mg IV push to a client in pain. What precaution prevents respiratory
depression?
A. Administer over 4-5 minutes
B. Give as rapid bolus
C. Repeat every 5 minutes
D. Combine with acetaminophen
Correct Answer: A
