ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM
TEST BANK 2026/2027: COMPLETE WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
SECTION 1: Pharmacokinetics, Principles, & Safety
Q1: A PN is preparing to administer a pre-drawn insulin dose. The MAR shows "Regular insulin
8 units subcutaneous now." The syringe is labeled with the patient's name and "Regular insulin 8
units." What should the PN do NEXT?
A. Administer the insulin immediately
B. Verify the dose with another nurse before administration
C. Call the provider to confirm the order
D. Check the patient's blood glucose again
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin requires a two-nurse check per safety protocol to verify the correct type, dose,
and patient. Skipping this check (A) violates safety standards. Calling the provider (C) is
unnecessary for a routine dose. Checking blood glucose (D) may be appropriate but the
two-nurse check is the immediate priority.
Q2: A patient asks the PN about a new medication prescribed by the provider. The PN has never
heard of the medication. What is the BEST response?
A. "I'm not sure what that is, let me check the drug book with you."
B. "The doctor wouldn't prescribe anything harmful."
C. "You'll have to ask the pharmacist."
D. "I can't discuss medications with patients."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The PN should look up unfamiliar medications with the patient, reinforcing teaching
and ensuring understanding. Dismissing concerns (B) is unsafe. Deferring to pharmacy (C)
avoids responsibility. Refusing to discuss (D) violates patient education responsibilities.
Q3: A PN discovers an error: a patient received 500 mg of a medication instead of the ordered
250 mg. What is the FIRST action?
A. Complete an incident report
B. Notify the nurse manager
C. Assess the patient for adverse effects
D. Call the pharmacy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patient safety is priority - assess for adverse effects first. Incident reports (A) and
notifications (B) follow after patient care. Pharmacy (D) can provide information but patient
assessment comes first.
, Q4: A medication order reads: "Give digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. Hold if apical pulse <60." The
PN finds apical pulse 58. What should the PN do?
A. Give the medication and document the pulse
B. Hold the medication and notify the RN/provider
C. Check a radial pulse instead
D. Give half the dose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The order clearly states to hold for pulse <60. The PN must follow this parameter and
notify the RN/provider for further assessment. Giving anyway (A) or modifying the dose (D)
violates the order. Checking a different pulse site (C) doesn't change the parameter.
Q5: A patient refuses a scheduled medication. The PN should:
A. Document the refusal and notify the RN
B. Explain that the medication is necessary
C. Hide the medication in food
D. Document that the medication was given
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Patients have the right to refuse. The PN must document the refusal and notify the RN
for follow-up. Coercion (B) or deception (C) violates patient rights. False documentation (D) is
fraud.
Q6: The PN is preparing to give a medication via NG tube. Which action is correct?
A. Mix all medications together for efficiency
B. Check tube placement before administration
C. Use pills crushed together
D. Give medications quickly to prevent clotting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tube placement must be verified before each medication administration to prevent
aspiration. Mixing medications (A) can cause interactions. Crushing together (C) may be unsafe.
Rapid administration (D) increases aspiration risk.
Q7: A medication is scheduled for 0900 but the patient is off the unit for tests. What is the PN's
responsibility?
A. Give the medication when the patient returns
B. Notify the RN and document the delay
C. Skip this dose
D. Reschedule for the next shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The PN must notify the RN of the delay for potential rescheduling and document the
reason. Giving late (A) may be unsafe. Skipping (C) or deferring (D) requires provider/RN
approval.
Q8: The PN notes a medication error was made on the previous shift. What should the PN do?
A. Complete an incident report for the previous shift
TEST BANK 2026/2027: COMPLETE WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
SECTION 1: Pharmacokinetics, Principles, & Safety
Q1: A PN is preparing to administer a pre-drawn insulin dose. The MAR shows "Regular insulin
8 units subcutaneous now." The syringe is labeled with the patient's name and "Regular insulin 8
units." What should the PN do NEXT?
A. Administer the insulin immediately
B. Verify the dose with another nurse before administration
C. Call the provider to confirm the order
D. Check the patient's blood glucose again
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin requires a two-nurse check per safety protocol to verify the correct type, dose,
and patient. Skipping this check (A) violates safety standards. Calling the provider (C) is
unnecessary for a routine dose. Checking blood glucose (D) may be appropriate but the
two-nurse check is the immediate priority.
Q2: A patient asks the PN about a new medication prescribed by the provider. The PN has never
heard of the medication. What is the BEST response?
A. "I'm not sure what that is, let me check the drug book with you."
B. "The doctor wouldn't prescribe anything harmful."
C. "You'll have to ask the pharmacist."
D. "I can't discuss medications with patients."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The PN should look up unfamiliar medications with the patient, reinforcing teaching
and ensuring understanding. Dismissing concerns (B) is unsafe. Deferring to pharmacy (C)
avoids responsibility. Refusing to discuss (D) violates patient education responsibilities.
Q3: A PN discovers an error: a patient received 500 mg of a medication instead of the ordered
250 mg. What is the FIRST action?
A. Complete an incident report
B. Notify the nurse manager
C. Assess the patient for adverse effects
D. Call the pharmacy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patient safety is priority - assess for adverse effects first. Incident reports (A) and
notifications (B) follow after patient care. Pharmacy (D) can provide information but patient
assessment comes first.
, Q4: A medication order reads: "Give digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. Hold if apical pulse <60." The
PN finds apical pulse 58. What should the PN do?
A. Give the medication and document the pulse
B. Hold the medication and notify the RN/provider
C. Check a radial pulse instead
D. Give half the dose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The order clearly states to hold for pulse <60. The PN must follow this parameter and
notify the RN/provider for further assessment. Giving anyway (A) or modifying the dose (D)
violates the order. Checking a different pulse site (C) doesn't change the parameter.
Q5: A patient refuses a scheduled medication. The PN should:
A. Document the refusal and notify the RN
B. Explain that the medication is necessary
C. Hide the medication in food
D. Document that the medication was given
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Patients have the right to refuse. The PN must document the refusal and notify the RN
for follow-up. Coercion (B) or deception (C) violates patient rights. False documentation (D) is
fraud.
Q6: The PN is preparing to give a medication via NG tube. Which action is correct?
A. Mix all medications together for efficiency
B. Check tube placement before administration
C. Use pills crushed together
D. Give medications quickly to prevent clotting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tube placement must be verified before each medication administration to prevent
aspiration. Mixing medications (A) can cause interactions. Crushing together (C) may be unsafe.
Rapid administration (D) increases aspiration risk.
Q7: A medication is scheduled for 0900 but the patient is off the unit for tests. What is the PN's
responsibility?
A. Give the medication when the patient returns
B. Notify the RN and document the delay
C. Skip this dose
D. Reschedule for the next shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The PN must notify the RN of the delay for potential rescheduling and document the
reason. Giving late (A) may be unsafe. Skipping (C) or deferring (D) requires provider/RN
approval.
Q8: The PN notes a medication error was made on the previous shift. What should the PN do?
A. Complete an incident report for the previous shift
