ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED TEST EXAM NEWEST
LATEST VERSIONS 2026 COMPLETE STUDY QUESTIONS
ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED TEST EXAM NEWEST
LATEST VERSIONS 2026 COMPLETE STUDY QUESTIONS
WITH
1. A client is prescribed lisinopril for hypertension. Which finding should the
nurse report immediately?
A. Dry cough
B. Persistent angioedema
C. Mild dizziness
D. Occasional headache
Answer: B. Persistent angioedema
Explanation: Angioedema (swelling of face, lips, tongue) is a potentially life-
threatening adverse reaction to ACE inhibitors like lisinopril. Dry cough is common
but not immediately dangerous.
2. A patient receiving warfarin therapy should be instructed to:
A. Increase intake of green leafy vegetables
B. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising
C. Take with an antacid to prevent GI upset
D. Expect orange discoloration of urine
Answer: B. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising
Explanation: Warfarin increases bleeding risk. Green leafy vegetables contain
vitamin K which can antagonize warfarin's effects. Patients should maintain
consistent vitamin K intake, not increase it.
3. Which medication requires checking apical pulse before administration?
A. Furosemide
B. Digoxin
, ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED TEST EXAM NEWEST
LATEST VERSIONS 2026 COMPLETE STUDY QUESTIONS
C. Metformin
D. Atorvastatin
Answer: B. Digoxin
Explanation: Digoxin can cause bradycardia and arrhythmias. The nurse should
assess apical pulse for one full minute; if <60 bpm in adults, hold the dose and
notify the provider.
4. A patient with type 1 diabetes is experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia.
What should the nurse administer first?
A. Regular insulin
B. Glucagon injection
C. 4 oz of orange juice
D. Complex carbohydrate
Answer: C. 4 oz of orange juice
Explanation: For conscious patients with hypoglycemia, administer 15g of simple
carbohydrates first (4 oz juice, glucose tabs, honey). Recheck blood sugar in 15
minutes.
5. Which instruction is most important for a patient starting metformin?
A. Take on an empty stomach
B. Report any muscle pain
C. Avoid alcohol consumption
D. Expect weight gain
Answer: C. Avoid alcohol consumption
Explanation: Alcohol increases the risk of lactic acidosis with metformin. Muscle
pain is associated with statins. Metformin is typically taken with meals to reduce GI
upset.
6. When administering morphine sulfate IV push, the nurse should:
A. Inject rapidly to ensure effectiveness
B. Dilute and administer over 4-5 minutes
C. Only give via patient-controlled analgesia
D. Withhold if respiratory rate is 14
, ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED TEST EXAM NEWEST
LATEST VERSIONS 2026 COMPLETE STUDY QUESTIONS
Answer: B. Dilute and administer over 4-5 minutes
Explanation: IV opioids should be given slowly to prevent respiratory depression.
Normal adult respiratory rate is 12-20; <12 requires assessment before
administration.
7. A patient prescribed prednisone should be taught to:
A. Take on an empty stomach
B. Stop taking if feeling better
C. Avoid live vaccines while on therapy
D. Increase sodium intake
Answer: C. Avoid live vaccines while on therapy
Explanation: Corticosteroids suppress the immune system. Live vaccines could
cause illness. Prednisone should be taken with food, tapered slowly, and may
cause sodium retention.
8. Which finding indicates a therapeutic response to furosemide?
A. Decreased pain level
B. Increased urine output
C. Elevated blood pressure
D. Slowed heart rate
Answer: B. Increased urine output
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to reduce fluid volume.
Therapeutic response includes increased urine output, decreased edema, and
reduced blood pressure.
9. Before administering penicillin, it is essential to assess for:
A. History of asthma
B. Allergy to sulfa drugs
C. Previous penicillin reaction
D. Liver disease history
Answer: C. Previous penicillin reaction
Explanation: Penicillin allergies can cause severe reactions including anaphylaxis.
Always assess for medication allergies before administration.
, ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED TEST EXAM NEWEST
LATEST VERSIONS 2026 COMPLETE STUDY QUESTIONS
10. The nurse should administer propranolol with caution to patients with:
A. Hypertension
B. Asthma
C. Anxiety
D. Migraines
Answer: B. Asthma
Explanation: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that can cause
bronchoconstriction and is contraindicated in patients with asthma or COPD.
11. A patient taking levothyroxine reports insomnia, nervousness, and
palpitations. The nurse should suspect:
A. Expected side effects that will diminish
B. Symptoms of hypothyroidism
C. Possible overdose/thyrotoxicosis
D. Allergic reaction to medication
Answer: C. Possible overdose/thyrotoxicosis
Explanation: Levothyroxine replaces thyroid hormone. Symptoms of overdose
mimic hyperthyroidism: insomnia, anxiety, tachycardia, weight loss.
12. When teaching about insulin storage, which statement is correct?
A. "Unopened vials should be refrigerated."
B. "All insulin must be kept frozen."
C. "Once opened, insulin is only good for 48 hours."
D. "Insulin should be shaken vigorously before use."
Answer: A. "Unopened vials should be refrigerated."
Explanation: Unopened insulin vials should be refrigerated (2-8°C/36-46°F).
Opened vials can be kept at room temperature (up to 30 days depending on type).
Insulin should be rolled gently, not shaken.
13. Which medication requires monitoring of serum potassium levels?
A. Hydrochlorothiazide
B. Acetaminophen
LATEST VERSIONS 2026 COMPLETE STUDY QUESTIONS
ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED TEST EXAM NEWEST
LATEST VERSIONS 2026 COMPLETE STUDY QUESTIONS
WITH
1. A client is prescribed lisinopril for hypertension. Which finding should the
nurse report immediately?
A. Dry cough
B. Persistent angioedema
C. Mild dizziness
D. Occasional headache
Answer: B. Persistent angioedema
Explanation: Angioedema (swelling of face, lips, tongue) is a potentially life-
threatening adverse reaction to ACE inhibitors like lisinopril. Dry cough is common
but not immediately dangerous.
2. A patient receiving warfarin therapy should be instructed to:
A. Increase intake of green leafy vegetables
B. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising
C. Take with an antacid to prevent GI upset
D. Expect orange discoloration of urine
Answer: B. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising
Explanation: Warfarin increases bleeding risk. Green leafy vegetables contain
vitamin K which can antagonize warfarin's effects. Patients should maintain
consistent vitamin K intake, not increase it.
3. Which medication requires checking apical pulse before administration?
A. Furosemide
B. Digoxin
, ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED TEST EXAM NEWEST
LATEST VERSIONS 2026 COMPLETE STUDY QUESTIONS
C. Metformin
D. Atorvastatin
Answer: B. Digoxin
Explanation: Digoxin can cause bradycardia and arrhythmias. The nurse should
assess apical pulse for one full minute; if <60 bpm in adults, hold the dose and
notify the provider.
4. A patient with type 1 diabetes is experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia.
What should the nurse administer first?
A. Regular insulin
B. Glucagon injection
C. 4 oz of orange juice
D. Complex carbohydrate
Answer: C. 4 oz of orange juice
Explanation: For conscious patients with hypoglycemia, administer 15g of simple
carbohydrates first (4 oz juice, glucose tabs, honey). Recheck blood sugar in 15
minutes.
5. Which instruction is most important for a patient starting metformin?
A. Take on an empty stomach
B. Report any muscle pain
C. Avoid alcohol consumption
D. Expect weight gain
Answer: C. Avoid alcohol consumption
Explanation: Alcohol increases the risk of lactic acidosis with metformin. Muscle
pain is associated with statins. Metformin is typically taken with meals to reduce GI
upset.
6. When administering morphine sulfate IV push, the nurse should:
A. Inject rapidly to ensure effectiveness
B. Dilute and administer over 4-5 minutes
C. Only give via patient-controlled analgesia
D. Withhold if respiratory rate is 14
, ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED TEST EXAM NEWEST
LATEST VERSIONS 2026 COMPLETE STUDY QUESTIONS
Answer: B. Dilute and administer over 4-5 minutes
Explanation: IV opioids should be given slowly to prevent respiratory depression.
Normal adult respiratory rate is 12-20; <12 requires assessment before
administration.
7. A patient prescribed prednisone should be taught to:
A. Take on an empty stomach
B. Stop taking if feeling better
C. Avoid live vaccines while on therapy
D. Increase sodium intake
Answer: C. Avoid live vaccines while on therapy
Explanation: Corticosteroids suppress the immune system. Live vaccines could
cause illness. Prednisone should be taken with food, tapered slowly, and may
cause sodium retention.
8. Which finding indicates a therapeutic response to furosemide?
A. Decreased pain level
B. Increased urine output
C. Elevated blood pressure
D. Slowed heart rate
Answer: B. Increased urine output
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to reduce fluid volume.
Therapeutic response includes increased urine output, decreased edema, and
reduced blood pressure.
9. Before administering penicillin, it is essential to assess for:
A. History of asthma
B. Allergy to sulfa drugs
C. Previous penicillin reaction
D. Liver disease history
Answer: C. Previous penicillin reaction
Explanation: Penicillin allergies can cause severe reactions including anaphylaxis.
Always assess for medication allergies before administration.
, ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED TEST EXAM NEWEST
LATEST VERSIONS 2026 COMPLETE STUDY QUESTIONS
10. The nurse should administer propranolol with caution to patients with:
A. Hypertension
B. Asthma
C. Anxiety
D. Migraines
Answer: B. Asthma
Explanation: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that can cause
bronchoconstriction and is contraindicated in patients with asthma or COPD.
11. A patient taking levothyroxine reports insomnia, nervousness, and
palpitations. The nurse should suspect:
A. Expected side effects that will diminish
B. Symptoms of hypothyroidism
C. Possible overdose/thyrotoxicosis
D. Allergic reaction to medication
Answer: C. Possible overdose/thyrotoxicosis
Explanation: Levothyroxine replaces thyroid hormone. Symptoms of overdose
mimic hyperthyroidism: insomnia, anxiety, tachycardia, weight loss.
12. When teaching about insulin storage, which statement is correct?
A. "Unopened vials should be refrigerated."
B. "All insulin must be kept frozen."
C. "Once opened, insulin is only good for 48 hours."
D. "Insulin should be shaken vigorously before use."
Answer: A. "Unopened vials should be refrigerated."
Explanation: Unopened insulin vials should be refrigerated (2-8°C/36-46°F).
Opened vials can be kept at room temperature (up to 30 days depending on type).
Insulin should be rolled gently, not shaken.
13. Which medication requires monitoring of serum potassium levels?
A. Hydrochlorothiazide
B. Acetaminophen
