ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED 2019 RETAKE 1 EXAM
CORRECT QNS & ANS 2023 UPDATE
1. A nurse is teaching a client who has angina about a new prescription for sublingual
nitroglycerin tablets. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the
teaching?
a. Place the tablet between your cheek and gum to dissolve
b. Discard any tablets you do not use every 6 months
c. Keep the tablets at room temperature in their original glass bottle
d. Take one tablet each morning 30 minutes prior to eating
Answer: b. Discard any tablets you do not use every 6 months
2. A nurse is monitoring lab values for a client who has chronic heart failure and is receiving
digoxin. Which of the following values should the nurse report to the provider?
a. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
b. BUN level 10 mg/dL
c. Sodium 138 mEq/L
d. Magnesium 1.5 mEq/L
Answer: a. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
3. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child following an orthopaedic procedure. When assessing
the child for pain, which of the following pain scales should the nurse use?
a. Word-graphic
b. FACES
c. CRIES
d. Numeric
Answer: b. FACES
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving morphine via continuous epidural
infusion. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?
a. Gastric bleeding
b. Cough
c. Pruritus
d. Tachypnea
Answer: c. Pruritus
5. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has sinusitis and a new prescription
for cefuroxime. Which of the following client information is the priority for the nurse to report
to the provider?
a. The client has a BUN level of 18
b. The client takes aspirin daily
c. The client has a history of a severe PCN allergy
d. The client reports a history of nausea with cefuroxime
Answer: c. The client has a history of a severe PCN allergy
6. A nurse is reviewing the list of current medications for a client who is to start a new
prescription for carbamazepine. The nurse should identify that which of the following
medications interacts with carbamazepine?
a. Diphenhydramine
b. Estrogen-progestin combination
c. Nicotine transdermal system
d. Beclomethasone
Answer: b. Estrogen-progestin combination
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has breast cancer and reports pain 1 hr after administration
of prescribed morphine 10 mg IV. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect
to administer?
a. Naloxone IV
b. Morphine tablet
c. Lidocaine patch
d. Fentanyl transmucosal
Answer: d. Fentanyl transmucosal
8. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for clozapine. Which of
the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. Notify your provider if you develop a fever while taking this medication
b. Diarrhea is a common adverse effect of this medication
c. Ringing in the ears is an expected adverse effect of this medication
d. You might experience weight loss while taking this medication
Answer: a. Notify your provider if you develop a fever while taking this medication
9. A nurse is assessing a client after administering phenytoin IV bolus for a seizure. Which of
the following findings should the nurse identify as an adverse effect of the medication?
a. Bradycardia
b. Red man syndrome
c. Hypoglycemia
d. Hypotension
Answer: d. Hypotension
10. A client who has active TB and is taking rifampin reports that his urine and sweat have
developed a red-orange tinge. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a. Document this as an expected finding
b. Prepare the client for dialysis
c. Check the client’s liver functions
d. Instruct the client to increase his fluid intake
Answer: a. Document this as an expected finding
11. A home health nurse is visiting a client who has heart failure and a prescription for
furosemide. The nurse identifies that the client has gained 2.5 kg since the last visit 2 days ago.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
a. Notify the provider of the client’s weight gain
b. Determine medication adherence by the client
c. Encourage the client to dangle the legs while sitting in a chair
d. Teach the client about food low in sodium
Answer: b. Determine medication adherence by the client
12. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking tamoxifen to treat breast cancer. The nurse
should identify which of the following manifestations as an adverse effect of this medication?
a. Constipation
b. Hot flashes
c. Urinary frequency
d. Tinnitus
Answer: b. Hot flashes
13. A nurse is assessing a client who reports taking over-the-counter antacids. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of hypercalcemia?
a. Headache
b. Decreased urine output
c. Positive Trousseau’s sign
d. Constipation
Answer: d. Constipation
14. A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client and discovers a medication error.
The nurse should recognize that which of the following staff members is responsible for
completing an incident report?
a. The quality improvement committee
b. The nurse who caused the error
c. The charge nurse
d. The nurse who identifies the error
Answer: d. The nurse who identifies the error
15. A nurse is consulting a formulary about a client’s new prescription for raloxifene. The nurse
should identify that this medication is used for which of the following conditions?
a. Osteoporosis
b. Hypothyroidism
c. Deep-vein thrombosis
d. Urinary tract infection
Answer: a. Osteoporosis
16. A nurse is caring for a client who has a respiratory infection and is receiving an antibiotic.
Which of the following medications puts the client at risk for developing hearing loss?
a. Ciprofloxacin
b. Gentamicin
c. Rifampin
d. Penicillin G
Answer: b. Gentamicin
17. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving intravenous therapy. The nurse should identify
which of the following findings as a manifestation of fluid volume excess?
a. Bilateral muscle weakness
b. Decreased bowel sounds
c. Thread pulse
d. Distended neck veins
Answer: d. Distended neck veins
18. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure ad a new prescription for lisinopril. For
which of the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor when administering lisinopril?
a. Hypotension
b. Tinnitus
c. Bradycardia
d. Hypokalemia
Answer: a. Hypotension
19. A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a client prior to administering IV tobramycin. Which
of the following laboratory values should the nurse report to the provider?
a. Creatinine 2.5 mg/dl
b. Sodium 137 mEq/L
c. Hct 43%
d. Hgb 15 g/dL
Answer: a. Creatinine 2.5 mg/dl
20. A nurse is administering 4 mg of hydromorphone to a client by mouth every 4 hr. The
medication is provided as hydromorphone 8 mg per tablet. Which of the following actions is
appropriate for the nurse to take?
a. Store the remaining half of the pill in the automated medication dispensing system
b. Return the remaining medication to the facility’s pharmacy
c. Dispose of the remaining medication while another nurse observes
d. Place the remaining half of the pill in the unit-dose package
Answer: c. Dispose of the remaining medication while another nurse observes
21. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving heparin via continuous IV. The client has an
aPPT of 90 seconds. The nurse should monitor for which of the following changes in their vital
signs?
a. Decreased respiratory rate
b. Increased pulse rate
c. Decreased temperature
d. Increased blood pressure
Answer: d. Increased blood pressure
22. A nurse is planning to administer medications to an older adult client who has dysphagia.
Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
a. Tilt the client’s head back when administering the medications
b. Administer more than one pill to the client at a time
c. Mix the medications with a semisolid food for the client
d. Place the medications on the back of the client’s tongue
Answer: c. Mix the medications with a semisolid food for the client
23. A nurse is caring for a client who is to receive potassium replacement. The provider’s
prescription reads, “Potassium chloride 30 mEq in 0.9% sodium chloride 100 mL IV over 30
min.” For which of the following reasons should the nurse clarify this prescription with the
provider?
a. Potassium chloride should be diluted in dextrose 5% in water
b. Another formulation of potassium should be given IV
c. The client should be treated by giving potassium by IV bolus
d. The potassium infusion rate is too rapid
Answer: d. The potassium infusion rate is too rapid
24. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure. The nurse administered furosemide 60
mg IV bolus 30 min earlier. For which of the following findings should the nurse notify the
provider?
a. Potassium 3.8 mEq/L
b. The client reports dizziness upon standing
c. BUN 15 mg/dL
d. The client reports dizziness
Answer: b. The client reports dizziness upon standing
25. A nurse is teaching a guardian of a school-age child who has a new prescription for a
fluticasone metered-dose inhaler. Which of the following information should the nurse include
in the teaching? (Select all that apply)
a. Rinse your child’s mouth following administration
b. Soak the inhaler in water after use
c. Have your child take one inhalation as needed for SOB
d. A spacer will make it easier to use the device
e. Shake the device prior to administration
Answer: a. Rinse your child’s mouth following administration
c. Have your child take one inhalation as needed for SOB
d. A spacer will make it easier to use the device
e. Shake the device prior to administration
26. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking lithium and reports starting a new exercise
program. The nurse should assess the client for which of the following electrolyte imbalances?
a. Hypomagnesemia
b. Hypokalemia
c. Hypocalcemia
d. Hyponatremia
Answer: d. Hyponatremia
27. A nurse is reviewing the lab values of a client who is taking atorvastatin. Which of the
following lab values indicates the treatment has been effective?
a. BUN 15mg/dL
b. Urine specific gravity 1.020
c. Blood glucose 90 mg/dL
d. LDL 120 m/dL
Answer: d. LDL 120 m/dL
28. A nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about medication reconciliation. The nurse
should instruct the newly licensed nurse to perform medication reconciliation for which of the
following clients?
a. A client who is transported to radiology
b. A client who is transferred to a step-down unit
c. A client who has a referral for social services
d. A client who has a consultation for physical therapy
Answer: b. A client who is transferred to a step-down unit
29. A nurse is planning care for a client who requires treatment for high cholesterol. Which of
the following prescriptions should the nurse expect to administer?
a. Colchicine
b. Chlorpromazine
c. Cimetidine
d. Colesevelam
Answer: d. Colesevelam
30. A nurse is preparing to initiate IV therapy for a client. Which of the following sites should
the nurse use to place the peripheral IV catheter?
a. Dominant distal dorsal vein
b. Nondominant dorsal venous arch
c. Dominant antecubital basilic vein
d. Nondominant forearm basilic vein
Answer: d. Nondominant forearm basilic vein
31. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about the administration of omeprazole. Which of
the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. You should reduce your intake of calcium while taking this medication
b. You can take a second dose if symptoms persist up to 2 hours after the first dose
c. You cannot take this medication with an antacid
d. You should take this medication before meals
Answer: d. You should take this medication before meals
32. A nurse is caring for a client who is in shock and is receiving an infusion of albumin.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
a. Increase in BP
b. Oxygen saturation 96%
c. Decrease in protein
d. PaCO2 30 mm Hg
Answer: d. PaCO2 30 mm Hg
33. A nurse is preparing to administer potassium chloride elixir 20 mEq/day PO to divide
equally every 12 hr. Available is 6.7 mEq/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per
dose? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth).
Answer: 7.5 mL
34. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking triamterene. For which of the following lab
values should the nurse withhold the medication?
a. Potassium 5.3
b. Sodium 142
c. BUN 16
d. Albumin 4
Answer: a. Potassium 5.3
35. A nurse is caring for a client who has hyponatremia and is receiving an infusion of a
prescribed hypertonic solution. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse
that the treatment is effective?
a. Cardiac arrhythmias absent
b. Improved cognition
c. Absent Chvostek’s sign
d. Decreased vomiting
Answer: d. Decreased vomiting
36. A nurse is assessing a client’s IV infusion site and notes that the site is cool and edematous.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a. Slow the IV solution rate
b. Initiate a new IV distal to the initial site
c. Apply a warm, moist compress
d. Maintain the extremity below the level of the heart
Answer: c. Apply a warm, moist compress
37. A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a client who is taking amitriptyline. Which of the
following lab values should the nurse report to the provider?
a. Hct 44%
b. WBC count 5,000
c. Potassium 4.2
d. Total bilirubin 1.5
Answer: d. Total bilirubin 1.5
38. A nurse accidentally administers the medication metformin instead of metoprolol to a
client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a. Collect the client’s uric acid level
b. Monitor the client’s thyroid function levels
c. Obtain the client’s HDL level
d. Check the client’s glucose level
Answer: d. Check the client’s glucose level
39. A nurse is assessing for allergies with a client who is scheduled to receive the flu vaccine.
Which of the following allergies should the nurse report to the provider as a possible
contraindication to receiving the vaccine?
a. Shellfish
b. Eggs
c. Peanuts
d. Milk
Answer: b. Eggs
40. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for lithium carbonate.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
a. Take this medication 2 hours before a meal
b. Limit foods containing tyramine
c. Decrease your daily sodium intake
d. Report swelling of the feet to your provider
Answer: d. Report swelling of the feet to your provider
41. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for theophylline, a
sustained-release capsule. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
a. I should limit my fluid intake while on this medication
b. I may sprinkle the medication in applesauce
c. I can take my medication in the morning with my coffee
d. I will need to have blood levels drawn
Answer: d. I will need to have blood levels drawn
42. A nurse is planning teaching for a client who is trying to quit smoking. Which of the
following instructions about nicotine replacement options should the nurse include?
a. Chew nicotine gum for 10 min before spitting it out
b. Administer 2 sprays of nicotine nasal spray in each nostril with each dose
c. Do not drink beverages while sucking on a nicotine lozenge
d. Change the patch every other day
Answer: c. Do not drink beverages while sucking on a nicotine lozenge
43. A nurse is teaching a client about oral contraceptives. Which of the following information
should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. A pelvic exam is needed prior to starting an oral contraceptive
b. It can take up to 1 year to become pregnant after stopping an oral contraceptive
c. Abdominal pain is an expected adverse effect
d. Some herbal supplements can decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives
Answer: d. Some herbal supplements can decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives
44. A nurse is caring for a client who develops an anaphylactic reaction to IV antibiotic
administration. After assessing the client’s respiratory status and stopping the medication
infusion, which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
a. Administer epinephrine IM
b. Replace the infusion with 0.9% sodium chloride
c. Give diphenhydramine IM
d. Elevate the client’s legs and feet
Answer: a. Administer epinephrine IM
45. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking digoxin to treat heart failure. Which of the
following factors predisposes this client to developing digoxin toxicity?
a. Having a 10-year history of COPD
b. Taking an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor
c. Taking a high-ceiling diuretic
d. Havin a prolapsed mitral valve
Answer: c. Taking a high-ceiling diuretic
46. A nurse is mixing regular insulin and NPH insulin in the same syringe prior to
administering it to a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take first?
a. Inject air into the regular insulin vial
b. Inject air into the NPH vial
c. Withdraw the NPH insulin from the vial
d. Withdraw the regular insulin from the vial
Answer: b. Inject air into the NPH vial
47. A nurse is assessing a client who is taking an osmotic laxative. Which of the following
findings hold the nurse identify as an indication of fluid volume deficit?
a. Nausea
b. Weight gain
c. Oliguria
d. Headaches
Answer: c. Oliguria
48. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for a nitroglycerin patch. Which of
the following instructions should the nurse include?
a. Apply a new patch if you have chest pain
b. Cover the patch with dry gauze when taking a shower
c. Remove the patch prior to going to bed
d. Discontinue the patch if you experience a headache
Answer: c. Remove the patch prior to going to bed
49. A nurse is assessing a client following the administration of ondansetron. Which of the
following findings should indicate to the nurse that the ondansetron has been effective?
a. Decrease in pain
b. Decrease in diarrhea
c. Decrease in coughing
d. Decrease in nausea
Answer: d. Decrease in nausea
50. A nurse is administering naloxone to a client who has developed an adverse reaction to
morphine. The nurse should identify which of the following findings as a therapeutic effect of
naloxone?
a. Decreased nausea
b. Decreased BP
c. Increased pain relieve
d. Increased respiratory rate
Answer: d. Increased respiratory rate
51. A nurse manager is planning an in-service about pain management with opioids for clients
who have cancer. Which of the following information should the nurse manager include?
a. Meperidine is the opioid of choice for treating chronic pain
b. Withhold PRN pain medication for the client who is receiving opioids every 6 hr.
c. Respiratory depression decreases as opioid tolerance develops
d. IM administration is recommended if PO opioids are ineffective
Answer: c. Respiratory depression decreases as opioid tolerance develops
52. A nurse is caring for a client who has TB and is taking isoniazid and rifampin. Which of the
following outcomes indicates that the patient is adhering to the medication program?
a. The client has a positive purified protein derivative test
b. The client has a negative sputum culture
c. The client’s liver function test results are within the expected reference range
d. The client tests negative for HIV
Answer: b. The client has a negative sputum culture
53. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin orally to a client. Identify the sequence of steps
the nurse should take. (Move the steps in the order of performance.
a. Document administration of the medication
b. Compare the client’s wristband to the medication administration record
c. Obtain the client’s apical heart rate
d. Open the medication package
e. Remove the medication from the dispensing system
Answer: 1. Obtain the client’s apical heart rate
2. Compare the client’s wristband to the medication administration record
3. Remove the medication from the dispensing system
4. Open the medication package
5. Document administration of the medication
54. A nurse is assessing a client who has hypermagnesemia. Which of the following
medications should the nurse prepare to administer?
a. Calcium gluconate
b. Acetylcysteine
c. Protamine sulfate
d. Flumazenil
Answer: a. Calcium gluconate
55. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of benign prostate hypertrophy and a
prescription for doxazosin. The client tells the nurse, “I do not want to take this medication. I
would prefer a natural therapy.” Which of the following supplements should the nurse suggest
the client discuss with the provider?
a. Saw palmetto
b. Black cohosh
c. Garlic
d. Fever few
Answer: a. Saw palmetto
56. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of an adult client who has a fever and a
prescription for acetaminophen. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a
contraindication for receiving this medication?
a. Chronic kidney disease
b. Diabetes mellitus
c. Hepatitis B vaccine within the last week
d. Alcohol use disorder
Answer: d. Alcohol use disorder
57. A nurse is receiving a medication prescription by telephone from a provider. The provider
states, “administer 6 milligrams of morphine IV push every 3 hours as needed for acute pain.”
How should the nurse transcribe the prescription in the client’s medical record?
a. Morphine 6.0 mg IV push every 3 hr PRN acute pain
b. MSO4 6 mg IV push every 3 hr PRN acute pain
c. MS 6 mg IV push every 3 hr PRN acute pain
d. Morphine 6 mg IV push every 3 hr PRN acute pain
Answer: d. Morphine 6 mg IV push every 3 hr PRN acute pain
58. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving a peripheral IV infusion and notes infiltration
of fluid into the tissues surrounding the insertion site. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
a. Slow the infusion rate
b. Apply pressure to the IV site
c. Flush the IV catheter
d. Elevate the extremity
Answer: d. Elevate the extremity
59. A nurse is discussing adverse reactions to pain medications in older adult clients with a
newly licensed nurse. Which of the following findings should the nurse include as risk factors
for an adverse drug reaction? (Select all that apply)
a. Decreased renal function
b. Polypharmacy
c. Decreased percentage of body fat
d. Multiple health problems
e. Increased rate of absorption
Answer: a. Decreased renal function
b. Polypharmacy
c. Decreased percentage of body fat
d. Multiple health problems
60. A nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin to a client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
a. Administer the medication into the client’s muscle
b. Apply firm pressure to the injection site following administration
c. Expel the air bubble from the syringe prior to injection
d. Insert the syringe needle halfway into the client’s skin
Answer: b. Apply firm pressure to the injection site following administration
61. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for amoxicillin. Which of the following
findings indicates the client is experiencing an allergic reaction?
a. Nausea
b. Insomnia
c. Laryngeal edema
d. Cardiac dysrhythmia
Answer: c. Laryngeal edema
62. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for total parental nutrition (TPN).
Which of the following routes of administration should the nurse use?
a. Central venous access device
b. Subcutaneous
c. Midline catheter
d. Intraosseous
Answer: a. Central venous access device
