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Comprehensive ATI Pharmacology Practice A & B
Test Bank High-Yield Questions | Detailed Rationales |
NCLEX-Style Format 2026-2027 Edition | Graded A+.
Structure & Organization
This test bank is organized according to the ATI Pharmacology content
outline, covering all major medication classes and nursing
considerations tested on Practice A and Practice B exams.
Practice Practice
Domain Medication Class Total
A Q&A B Q&A
Cardiovascular
I 15 15 30
Medications
Respiratory
II 10 10 20
Medications
Neurological
III 10 10 20
Medications
Psychiatric
IV 10 10 20
Medications
Endocrine
V 10 10 20
Medications
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Practice Practice
Domain Medication Class Total
A Q&A B Q&A
Gastrointestinal
VI 8 8 16
Medications
Renal/Genitourinary
VII 5 5 10
Medications
Antibiotics & Anti-
VIII 10 10 20
infectives
Pain Management
IX 8 8 16
Medications
Hematological
X 8 8 16
Medications
Oncological
XI 6 6 12
Medications
Total 100 100 200
How to Use This Test Bank
1. Complete Practice A first — Use as a baseline assessment
2. Review rationales thoroughly — Understand why each answer is
correct
3. Identify weak areas — Focus remediation on medication classes
you missed
4. Complete Practice B — Assess improvement
5. Use NCLEX-style format — Practice for the proctored exam
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PART I: Cardiovascular Medications
ATI Pharmacology Practice A: Cardiovascular
1. A nurse is administering digoxin to a patient with heart failure.
Which of the following findings indicates digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate 72 bpm
B) Blood pressure 118/76 mm Hg
C) Yellow halos around lights
D) Weight loss of 2 lbs in 24 hours
Answer: C) Yellow halos around lights
Rationale: Yellow halos (xanthopsia) are a classic sign of digoxin
toxicity. Other signs include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, bradycardia,
and visual disturbances. The therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.5-2
ng/mL. Heart rate <60 bpm should be reported before administration.
Weight loss may indicate improved fluid status, not toxicity.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient. The
patient's apical pulse is 52 bpm. What is the priority action?
A) Administer the medication as ordered
B) Hold the medication and notify the provider
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C) Check the patient's blood pressure
D) Administer half the dose
Answer: B) Hold the medication and notify the provider
Rationale: Digoxin should be held if the apical pulse is <60 bpm in
adults (or <70 in children) because bradycardia can indicate digoxin
toxicity. The provider should be notified before administering. Never
administer digoxin without assessing the apical pulse.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a patient starting furosemide
(Lasix). Which of the following should the nurse include?
A) "Take the medication at bedtime to prevent dizziness."
B) "Increase intake of potassium-rich foods."
C) "You may experience increased swelling."
D) "This medication will increase your heart rate."
Answer: B) "Increase intake of potassium-rich foods."
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting.
Patients should increase potassium-rich foods (bananas, oranges,
potatoes) to prevent hypokalemia. Furosemide should be taken in the
morning to avoid nocturia. It decreases swelling (edema), not increases
it.
4. A nurse is administering enalapril to a patient with hypertension.
Which of the following is an adverse effect that should be reported
immediately?
A) Dry cough
B) Dizziness
Comprehensive ATI Pharmacology Practice A & B
Test Bank High-Yield Questions | Detailed Rationales |
NCLEX-Style Format 2026-2027 Edition | Graded A+.
Structure & Organization
This test bank is organized according to the ATI Pharmacology content
outline, covering all major medication classes and nursing
considerations tested on Practice A and Practice B exams.
Practice Practice
Domain Medication Class Total
A Q&A B Q&A
Cardiovascular
I 15 15 30
Medications
Respiratory
II 10 10 20
Medications
Neurological
III 10 10 20
Medications
Psychiatric
IV 10 10 20
Medications
Endocrine
V 10 10 20
Medications
,2|Page
Practice Practice
Domain Medication Class Total
A Q&A B Q&A
Gastrointestinal
VI 8 8 16
Medications
Renal/Genitourinary
VII 5 5 10
Medications
Antibiotics & Anti-
VIII 10 10 20
infectives
Pain Management
IX 8 8 16
Medications
Hematological
X 8 8 16
Medications
Oncological
XI 6 6 12
Medications
Total 100 100 200
How to Use This Test Bank
1. Complete Practice A first — Use as a baseline assessment
2. Review rationales thoroughly — Understand why each answer is
correct
3. Identify weak areas — Focus remediation on medication classes
you missed
4. Complete Practice B — Assess improvement
5. Use NCLEX-style format — Practice for the proctored exam
,3|Page
PART I: Cardiovascular Medications
ATI Pharmacology Practice A: Cardiovascular
1. A nurse is administering digoxin to a patient with heart failure.
Which of the following findings indicates digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate 72 bpm
B) Blood pressure 118/76 mm Hg
C) Yellow halos around lights
D) Weight loss of 2 lbs in 24 hours
Answer: C) Yellow halos around lights
Rationale: Yellow halos (xanthopsia) are a classic sign of digoxin
toxicity. Other signs include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, bradycardia,
and visual disturbances. The therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.5-2
ng/mL. Heart rate <60 bpm should be reported before administration.
Weight loss may indicate improved fluid status, not toxicity.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient. The
patient's apical pulse is 52 bpm. What is the priority action?
A) Administer the medication as ordered
B) Hold the medication and notify the provider
, 4|Page
C) Check the patient's blood pressure
D) Administer half the dose
Answer: B) Hold the medication and notify the provider
Rationale: Digoxin should be held if the apical pulse is <60 bpm in
adults (or <70 in children) because bradycardia can indicate digoxin
toxicity. The provider should be notified before administering. Never
administer digoxin without assessing the apical pulse.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a patient starting furosemide
(Lasix). Which of the following should the nurse include?
A) "Take the medication at bedtime to prevent dizziness."
B) "Increase intake of potassium-rich foods."
C) "You may experience increased swelling."
D) "This medication will increase your heart rate."
Answer: B) "Increase intake of potassium-rich foods."
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting.
Patients should increase potassium-rich foods (bananas, oranges,
potatoes) to prevent hypokalemia. Furosemide should be taken in the
morning to avoid nocturia. It decreases swelling (edema), not increases
it.
4. A nurse is administering enalapril to a patient with hypertension.
Which of the following is an adverse effect that should be reported
immediately?
A) Dry cough
B) Dizziness
