ATI RN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM (2026) | 200 Questions with Correct Answers & Rationales | Comprehensive Study Guide Covering Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Endocrine, Neurologic, Psychiatric, Antibiotics, Pain Management, Chemotherapy, GI, Mater

ATI RN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM (2026) | 200
Questions with Correct Answers & Rationales |
Comprehensive Study Guide Covering Cardiovascular,
Respiratory, Endocrine, Neurologic, Psychiatric,
Antibiotics, Pain Management, Chemotherapy, GI, Maternal-
Child ,


Introduction

Welcome to your ultimate preparation resource for the ATI RN Pharmacology Proctored Exam. This
document contains 200 carefully selected, exam-style questions designed to mirror the difficulty,
content distribution, and critical-thinking level of the actual ATI proctored assessment. Each
question is presented with the correct answer in bold and an italicized rationale that explains the
“why” behind the answer – helping you not only memorize but truly understand pharmacology
principles.




Part 1: Cardiovascular Medications



Q1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin 0.125 mg orally to a client with heart failure. Which finding
should the nurse report before administering the dose?

 A. Apical pulse of 62 beats/min

,  B. Serum potassium of 4.2 mEq/L

 C. Serum digoxin level of 2.5 ng/mL

 D. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg

*Rationale: A digoxin level >2 ng/mL indicates toxicity, increasing the risk of arrhythmias. The
nurse should withhold the dose and report to the provider. Normal pulse, potassium, and BP do not
contraindicate administration.*

Q2. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin). Which finding requires immediate nursing
intervention?

 A. Serum potassium level 3.9 mEq/L

 B. Heart rate 52 beats per minute

 C. Digoxin level 1.2 ng/mL

 D. Complaint of mild nausea

*Rationale: Digoxin toxicity is more likely with heart rate below 60 bpm. Therapeutic digoxin level is
0.5–2 ng/mL. Potassium 3.9 is normal. Nausea can be an early sign but is less urgent than
bradycardia.*

Q3. A patient with heart failure is prescribed digoxin and furosemide. The nurse should monitor for which
electrolyte imbalance that increases digoxin toxicity?

 A. Hypernatremia

 B. Hypokalemia

 C. Hypercalcemia

 D. Hypermagnesemia

Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss. Hypokalemia increases the
risk of digoxin toxicity by enhancing digoxin binding to cardiac sodium-potassium ATPase pumps.

Q4. A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely?

 A. Sodium

,  B. Potassium

 C. Calcium

 D. Magnesium

Rationale: Digoxin toxicity is potentiated by hypokalemia. Monitoring potassium levels is essential
to prevent toxicity, which can manifest as arrhythmias or nausea.

Q5. A nurse reviews a client’s chart: Diagnosis: Heart failure, HTN; Medications: Lisinopril 20 mg daily,
Furosemide 40 mg daily, Digoxin 0.25 mg daily; Lab: K⁺ 3.2 mEq/L, Creatinine 1.2 mg/dL. Which finding
requires immediate action?

 A. Lisinopril dose

 B. Digoxin dose

 C. Serum potassium

 D. Creatinine level

Rationale: Low potassium (3.2) increases risk of digoxin toxicity. Hypokalemia potentiates digoxin’s
effect on cardiac muscle, leading to dysrhythmias.

Q6. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving digoxin. Which finding is most indicative of digoxin toxicity?

 A. Heart rate 72 bpm and blood pressure 120/80 mmHg

 B. Nausea, vomiting, and yellow-tinged vision

 C. Dry cough and hyperkalemia

 D. Constipation and headache

Rationale: Digoxin toxicity presents with gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, anorexia),
visual disturbances (yellow-green halos, blurred vision), and cardiac dysrhythmias (bradycardia,
heart block). Hypokalemia increases toxicity risk.

Q7. A nurse is administering furosemide (Lasix) to a client with pulmonary edema. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor most closely?

 A. Serum sodium

,  B. Serum potassium

 C. Serum calcium

 D. Serum magnesium

Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting (hypokalemia), increasing
risk of digoxin toxicity and arrhythmias.

Q8. A nurse is administering metoprolol to a client with hypertension. Which assessment is most critical
before giving the dose?

 A. Blood glucose level

 B. Heart rate

 C. Respiratory rate

 D. Urine output

*Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can cause bradycardia. Checking the heart rate is
critical to ensure it is not below 60 bpm before administration to prevent severe bradycardia or
heart block.*

Q9. A nurse is reviewing the health record of a client who asks about using propranolol to treat
hypertension. The nurse should recognize which of the following conditions is a contraindication for taking
propranolol?

 A. Asthma

 B. Glaucoma

 C. Hypertension

 D. Tachycardia

*Rationale: Propranolol is a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker that blocks both beta1 and beta2
receptors. Blockade of beta2 receptors in the lungs causes bronchoconstriction, so it is
contraindicated in clients who have asthma.*