ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM – NCLEX
NGN-STYLE | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED
ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES | EXAM ALREADY
GRADED A+ | LATEST EXAM
1. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for lisinopril. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I should take this medication with potassium supplements."
B. "I will report a persistent dry cough."
C. "I should stop this medication if I feel dizzy."
D. "This medication will increase my heart rate."
Answer: B
Rationale: Lisinopril (an ACE inhibitor) commonly causes a persistent dry cough. Potassium
supplements increase the risk of hyperkalemia. The medication does not increase heart rate, and
dizziness should be reported but not a reason to stop the medication without provider guidance.
2. A nurse is caring for a client receiving warfarin. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. Platelet count
B. Hemoglobin
C. INR
D. aPTT
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the International Normalized Ratio (INR).
Platelets are more relevant to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. aPTT monitors heparin
therapy.
3. A nurse is administering morphine IV. Which assessment finding requires immediate
action?
A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
B. Blood pressure 138/86 mm Hg
C. Pain rating 7/10
D. Pupils 3 mm
Answer: A
Rationale: A respiratory rate below 12/min indicates respiratory depression, a serious adverse
effect of morphine requiring immediate intervention. The other findings are expected or
noncritical.
, 4. A nurse is teaching a client about metformin. Which statement indicates a need for
further teaching?
A. "I should take this medication with meals."
B. "I will avoid excessive alcohol intake."
C. "I should stop this medication before contrast dye procedures."
D. "This medication may cause weight gain."
Answer: D
Rationale: Metformin does not typically cause weight gain and may promote modest weight loss.
It should be taken with meals, alcohol should be limited, and it is held before contrast dye due to
lactic acidosis risk.
5. A nurse is caring for a client taking furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance is most
concerning?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, increasing the risk for
hypokalemia, which can lead to dysrhythmias.
6. A nurse is caring for a client receiving digoxin. Which finding indicates possible digoxin
toxicity?
A. Heart rate of 52/min
B. Blood pressure 148/88 mm Hg
C. Increased appetite
D. Clear lung sounds
Answer: A
Rationale: Bradycardia is a key sign of digoxin toxicity. Other signs include nausea, vomiting,
and visual disturbances. The other findings are not specific to toxicity.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. Swallow the tablet with water.
B. Store tablets in a clear container.
C. Take up to three tablets 5 minutes apart for chest pain.
D. Take one tablet daily to prevent attacks.
,Answer: C
Rationale: Clients may take one tablet every 5 minutes for up to three doses for chest pain and
call EMS if pain persists. Tablets should not be swallowed and must be stored in a dark
container.
8. A nurse is caring for a client receiving heparin IV. Which lab value indicates therapeutic
effectiveness?
A. INR 2.5
B. aPTT 65 seconds
C. Platelets 250,000/mm³
D. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Heparin therapy is monitored using aPTT. A value 1.5–2 times control (about 60–80
seconds) indicates therapeutic range.
9. A nurse is teaching a client about albuterol inhaler use. Which adverse effect should the
nurse instruct the client to expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Tremors
D. Constipation
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol (a beta2-agonist) commonly causes tremors, tachycardia, and nervousness.
It does not cause bradycardia or constipation.
10. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed levothyroxine. Which finding indicates
therapeutic effect?
A. Weight gain
B. Increased energy
C. Bradycardia
D. Cold intolerance
Answer: B
Rationale: Levothyroxine treats hypothyroidism. Increased energy and improved metabolism
indicate effectiveness. Weight gain, bradycardia, and cold intolerance are symptoms of
hypothyroidism.
11. A nurse is administering insulin lispro. When should the nurse give the injection?
A. 30 minutes before meals
B. At bedtime
, C. Immediately before meals
D. Once daily in the morning
Answer: C
Rationale: Lispro is rapid-acting insulin and should be administered immediately before meals
to prevent hypoglycemia.
12. A nurse is teaching a client about prednisone. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. Stop medication abruptly.
B. Take on an empty stomach.
C. Avoid vaccines while taking medication.
D. Limit fluid intake.
Answer: C
Rationale: Prednisone suppresses the immune system, so live vaccines should be avoided. The
medication should be tapered and taken with food.
13. A nurse is caring for a client taking lithium. Which lab value is therapeutic?
A. 0.3 mEq/L
B. 1.0 mEq/L
C. 2.5 mEq/L
D. 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic lithium levels range from 0.6–1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L
indicate toxicity.
14. A nurse is teaching about ciprofloxacin. Which instruction is correct?
A. Take with milk.
B. Avoid sunlight exposure.
C. Crush extended-release tablets.
D. Stop medication when symptoms improve.
Answer: B
Rationale: Ciprofloxacin can cause photosensitivity. Dairy products interfere with absorption.
The medication should be completed fully.
15. A nurse is caring for a client receiving vancomycin IV. Which adverse effect should the
nurse monitor?
A. Red man syndrome
B. Hypoglycemia
NGN-STYLE | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED
ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES | EXAM ALREADY
GRADED A+ | LATEST EXAM
1. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for lisinopril. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I should take this medication with potassium supplements."
B. "I will report a persistent dry cough."
C. "I should stop this medication if I feel dizzy."
D. "This medication will increase my heart rate."
Answer: B
Rationale: Lisinopril (an ACE inhibitor) commonly causes a persistent dry cough. Potassium
supplements increase the risk of hyperkalemia. The medication does not increase heart rate, and
dizziness should be reported but not a reason to stop the medication without provider guidance.
2. A nurse is caring for a client receiving warfarin. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. Platelet count
B. Hemoglobin
C. INR
D. aPTT
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the International Normalized Ratio (INR).
Platelets are more relevant to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. aPTT monitors heparin
therapy.
3. A nurse is administering morphine IV. Which assessment finding requires immediate
action?
A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
B. Blood pressure 138/86 mm Hg
C. Pain rating 7/10
D. Pupils 3 mm
Answer: A
Rationale: A respiratory rate below 12/min indicates respiratory depression, a serious adverse
effect of morphine requiring immediate intervention. The other findings are expected or
noncritical.
, 4. A nurse is teaching a client about metformin. Which statement indicates a need for
further teaching?
A. "I should take this medication with meals."
B. "I will avoid excessive alcohol intake."
C. "I should stop this medication before contrast dye procedures."
D. "This medication may cause weight gain."
Answer: D
Rationale: Metformin does not typically cause weight gain and may promote modest weight loss.
It should be taken with meals, alcohol should be limited, and it is held before contrast dye due to
lactic acidosis risk.
5. A nurse is caring for a client taking furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance is most
concerning?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, increasing the risk for
hypokalemia, which can lead to dysrhythmias.
6. A nurse is caring for a client receiving digoxin. Which finding indicates possible digoxin
toxicity?
A. Heart rate of 52/min
B. Blood pressure 148/88 mm Hg
C. Increased appetite
D. Clear lung sounds
Answer: A
Rationale: Bradycardia is a key sign of digoxin toxicity. Other signs include nausea, vomiting,
and visual disturbances. The other findings are not specific to toxicity.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. Swallow the tablet with water.
B. Store tablets in a clear container.
C. Take up to three tablets 5 minutes apart for chest pain.
D. Take one tablet daily to prevent attacks.
,Answer: C
Rationale: Clients may take one tablet every 5 minutes for up to three doses for chest pain and
call EMS if pain persists. Tablets should not be swallowed and must be stored in a dark
container.
8. A nurse is caring for a client receiving heparin IV. Which lab value indicates therapeutic
effectiveness?
A. INR 2.5
B. aPTT 65 seconds
C. Platelets 250,000/mm³
D. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Heparin therapy is monitored using aPTT. A value 1.5–2 times control (about 60–80
seconds) indicates therapeutic range.
9. A nurse is teaching a client about albuterol inhaler use. Which adverse effect should the
nurse instruct the client to expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Tremors
D. Constipation
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol (a beta2-agonist) commonly causes tremors, tachycardia, and nervousness.
It does not cause bradycardia or constipation.
10. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed levothyroxine. Which finding indicates
therapeutic effect?
A. Weight gain
B. Increased energy
C. Bradycardia
D. Cold intolerance
Answer: B
Rationale: Levothyroxine treats hypothyroidism. Increased energy and improved metabolism
indicate effectiveness. Weight gain, bradycardia, and cold intolerance are symptoms of
hypothyroidism.
11. A nurse is administering insulin lispro. When should the nurse give the injection?
A. 30 minutes before meals
B. At bedtime
, C. Immediately before meals
D. Once daily in the morning
Answer: C
Rationale: Lispro is rapid-acting insulin and should be administered immediately before meals
to prevent hypoglycemia.
12. A nurse is teaching a client about prednisone. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. Stop medication abruptly.
B. Take on an empty stomach.
C. Avoid vaccines while taking medication.
D. Limit fluid intake.
Answer: C
Rationale: Prednisone suppresses the immune system, so live vaccines should be avoided. The
medication should be tapered and taken with food.
13. A nurse is caring for a client taking lithium. Which lab value is therapeutic?
A. 0.3 mEq/L
B. 1.0 mEq/L
C. 2.5 mEq/L
D. 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic lithium levels range from 0.6–1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L
indicate toxicity.
14. A nurse is teaching about ciprofloxacin. Which instruction is correct?
A. Take with milk.
B. Avoid sunlight exposure.
C. Crush extended-release tablets.
D. Stop medication when symptoms improve.
Answer: B
Rationale: Ciprofloxacin can cause photosensitivity. Dairy products interfere with absorption.
The medication should be completed fully.
15. A nurse is caring for a client receiving vancomycin IV. Which adverse effect should the
nurse monitor?
A. Red man syndrome
B. Hypoglycemia
