ATI CMS Pharmacology Retake Exam 2
2026/2027 | Latest Questions with Verified
Answers and Detailed Rationales for NCLEX
Nursing Success Study Guide
• This ATI CMS Pharmacology Retake Exam 2 study guide features 200 NCLEX-style
multiple-choice questions with five answer options each, verified correct answers in
bold, and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce clinical reasoning.
• Use this material by reading each question independently before checking the
answer, then studying the EXPERT RATIONALE carefully to understand the "why"
behind every correct choice — this builds the critical thinking needed for exam
success.
ATI CMS PHARMACOLOGY RETAKE EXAM 2
Latest Questions with Verified Answers and Detailed EXPERT RATIONALE |
NCLEX Nursing Success Study Guide
1. A nurse is preparing to administer metformin to a client with type 2
diabetes. Which of the following conditions should the nurse identify as a
contraindication to this medication?
A) Hypertension
B) Hyperlipidemia
C) Chronic kidney disease
D) Hypothyroidism
E) Peripheral neuropathy
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Chronic kidney disease
EXPERT RATIONALE: Metformin is contraindicated in chronic kidney disease because
impaired renal function leads to decreased drug clearance, increasing the risk of lactic
acidosis, a potentially fatal complication.
,2. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV vancomycin. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A) Dry mouth
B) Mild headache
C) Flushing of the face, neck, and chest
D) Slight drowsiness
E) Decreased appetite
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Flushing of the face, neck, and chest
EXPERT RATIONALE: Flushing of the face, neck, and chest is known as "Red Man
Syndrome," a reaction to rapid vancomycin infusion. The nurse should slow or stop the
infusion and notify the provider immediately.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about taking oral iron supplements. Which of
the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) Take iron with milk to reduce GI upset
B) Expect stools to be pale yellow
C) Take iron with vitamin C to enhance absorption
D) Avoid all leafy vegetables while on iron
E) Take iron immediately after a full meal
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Take iron with vitamin C to enhance absorption
EXPERT RATIONALE: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) converts ferric iron to ferrous iron,
which is more easily absorbed in the GI tract. Iron should not be taken with milk as
calcium inhibits absorption.
4. A nurse is administering digoxin to a client. Which of the following findings
should cause the nurse to withhold the medication?
,A) Heart rate of 68 bpm
B) Blood pressure of 118/78 mmHg
C) Heart rate of 52 bpm
D) Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
E) Blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Heart rate of 52 bpm
EXPERT RATIONALE: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical heart rate is below 60
bpm in adults. Bradycardia is a sign of digoxin toxicity, and the provider must be
notified before administration.
5. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed warfarin therapy. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor to assess the therapeutic effect of this
medication?
A) Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
B) Platelet count
C) International normalized ratio (INR)
D) Hemoglobin
E) Serum calcium
CORRECT ANSWER: C) International normalized ratio (INR)
EXPERT RATIONALE: INR is the standardized measure used to monitor warfarin
(Coumadin) therapy. The therapeutic range for most indications is 2.0–3.0. PTT monitors
heparin therapy, not warfarin.
6. A nurse is providing education to a client prescribed atorvastatin. Which of
the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct the client to report
immediately?
, A) Mild constipation
B) Muscle pain and weakness
C) Slight increase in appetite
D) Occasional headache
E) Mild skin dryness
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Muscle pain and weakness
EXPERT RATIONALE: Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (myopathy) can indicate
rhabdomyolysis, a serious adverse effect of statins that can lead to acute kidney injury.
The client should report this immediately.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed lithium for bipolar
disorder. Which of the following symptoms indicate lithium toxicity?
A) Increased energy and euphoria
B) Dry mouth and constipation
C) Coarse hand tremors, confusion, and ataxia
D) Hypertension and tachycardia
E) Weight loss and insomnia
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Coarse hand tremors, confusion, and ataxia
EXPERT RATIONALE: Signs of lithium toxicity include coarse hand tremors,
confusion, ataxia, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic
index (0.6–1.2 mEq/L), and levels must be monitored regularly.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about using a nitroglycerin patch. Which of the
following instructions is most important?
A) Apply the patch to the same site every day
B) Keep the patch on for 24 hours without removal
2026/2027 | Latest Questions with Verified
Answers and Detailed Rationales for NCLEX
Nursing Success Study Guide
• This ATI CMS Pharmacology Retake Exam 2 study guide features 200 NCLEX-style
multiple-choice questions with five answer options each, verified correct answers in
bold, and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce clinical reasoning.
• Use this material by reading each question independently before checking the
answer, then studying the EXPERT RATIONALE carefully to understand the "why"
behind every correct choice — this builds the critical thinking needed for exam
success.
ATI CMS PHARMACOLOGY RETAKE EXAM 2
Latest Questions with Verified Answers and Detailed EXPERT RATIONALE |
NCLEX Nursing Success Study Guide
1. A nurse is preparing to administer metformin to a client with type 2
diabetes. Which of the following conditions should the nurse identify as a
contraindication to this medication?
A) Hypertension
B) Hyperlipidemia
C) Chronic kidney disease
D) Hypothyroidism
E) Peripheral neuropathy
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Chronic kidney disease
EXPERT RATIONALE: Metformin is contraindicated in chronic kidney disease because
impaired renal function leads to decreased drug clearance, increasing the risk of lactic
acidosis, a potentially fatal complication.
,2. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV vancomycin. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A) Dry mouth
B) Mild headache
C) Flushing of the face, neck, and chest
D) Slight drowsiness
E) Decreased appetite
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Flushing of the face, neck, and chest
EXPERT RATIONALE: Flushing of the face, neck, and chest is known as "Red Man
Syndrome," a reaction to rapid vancomycin infusion. The nurse should slow or stop the
infusion and notify the provider immediately.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about taking oral iron supplements. Which of
the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) Take iron with milk to reduce GI upset
B) Expect stools to be pale yellow
C) Take iron with vitamin C to enhance absorption
D) Avoid all leafy vegetables while on iron
E) Take iron immediately after a full meal
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Take iron with vitamin C to enhance absorption
EXPERT RATIONALE: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) converts ferric iron to ferrous iron,
which is more easily absorbed in the GI tract. Iron should not be taken with milk as
calcium inhibits absorption.
4. A nurse is administering digoxin to a client. Which of the following findings
should cause the nurse to withhold the medication?
,A) Heart rate of 68 bpm
B) Blood pressure of 118/78 mmHg
C) Heart rate of 52 bpm
D) Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
E) Blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Heart rate of 52 bpm
EXPERT RATIONALE: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical heart rate is below 60
bpm in adults. Bradycardia is a sign of digoxin toxicity, and the provider must be
notified before administration.
5. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed warfarin therapy. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor to assess the therapeutic effect of this
medication?
A) Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
B) Platelet count
C) International normalized ratio (INR)
D) Hemoglobin
E) Serum calcium
CORRECT ANSWER: C) International normalized ratio (INR)
EXPERT RATIONALE: INR is the standardized measure used to monitor warfarin
(Coumadin) therapy. The therapeutic range for most indications is 2.0–3.0. PTT monitors
heparin therapy, not warfarin.
6. A nurse is providing education to a client prescribed atorvastatin. Which of
the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct the client to report
immediately?
, A) Mild constipation
B) Muscle pain and weakness
C) Slight increase in appetite
D) Occasional headache
E) Mild skin dryness
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Muscle pain and weakness
EXPERT RATIONALE: Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (myopathy) can indicate
rhabdomyolysis, a serious adverse effect of statins that can lead to acute kidney injury.
The client should report this immediately.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed lithium for bipolar
disorder. Which of the following symptoms indicate lithium toxicity?
A) Increased energy and euphoria
B) Dry mouth and constipation
C) Coarse hand tremors, confusion, and ataxia
D) Hypertension and tachycardia
E) Weight loss and insomnia
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Coarse hand tremors, confusion, and ataxia
EXPERT RATIONALE: Signs of lithium toxicity include coarse hand tremors,
confusion, ataxia, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic
index (0.6–1.2 mEq/L), and levels must be monitored regularly.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about using a nitroglycerin patch. Which of the
following instructions is most important?
A) Apply the patch to the same site every day
B) Keep the patch on for 24 hours without removal
