ATI Pharmacology Practice Exam | 2026–
2027|Original Multiple-Choice Questions with
Detailed Answers And Rationales
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an adult client. Which
assessment finding requires the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the
healthcare provider?
A. Apical pulse of 56 beats/min
B. Blood pressure of 126/78 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Apical pulse of 56 beats/min
RATIONALE:
A is correct because digoxin slows the heart rate. In adults, the medication is generally withheld
if the apical pulse is below 60 beats/min, according to institutional policy and provider
instructions.
2. A client receiving IV morphine becomes difficult to arouse and has a
respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Naloxone
C. Flumazenil
D. Vitamin K
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Naloxone
RATIONALE:
B is correct because naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses opioid-induced respiratory
depression.
,3. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely for a client
receiving unfractionated heparin therapy?
A. INR
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. Hemoglobin A1C
D. Serum creatinine
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
RATIONALE:
B is correct because aPTT is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of unfractionated heparin.
4. A client taking warfarin should immediately report which finding?
A. Mild headache
B. Black, tarry stools
C. Increased appetite
D. Dry mouth
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Black, tarry stools
RATIONALE:
B is correct because black, tarry stools may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious adverse
effect of anticoagulant therapy.
5. A nurse is teaching a client who is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual tablets.
Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. "I'll swallow the tablet with water."
B. "I'll place the tablet under my tongue at the onset of chest pain."
C. "I'll chew the tablet before swallowing."
, D. "I'll take the tablet every morning whether I have pain or not."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I'll place the tablet under my tongue at the onset of chest pain."
RATIONALE:
B is correct because sublingual administration provides rapid absorption for relief of angina.
6. Which medication is the antidote for heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Acetylcysteine
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Protamine sulfate
RATIONALE:
B is correct because protamine sulfate neutralizes the anticoagulant effects of heparin.
7. A client taking furosemide should be monitored closely for which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hypokalemia
RATIONALE:
B is correct because loop diuretics increase urinary potassium excretion.
8. Which medication should be administered first to a client experiencing
anaphylaxis?
2027|Original Multiple-Choice Questions with
Detailed Answers And Rationales
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an adult client. Which
assessment finding requires the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the
healthcare provider?
A. Apical pulse of 56 beats/min
B. Blood pressure of 126/78 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Apical pulse of 56 beats/min
RATIONALE:
A is correct because digoxin slows the heart rate. In adults, the medication is generally withheld
if the apical pulse is below 60 beats/min, according to institutional policy and provider
instructions.
2. A client receiving IV morphine becomes difficult to arouse and has a
respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Naloxone
C. Flumazenil
D. Vitamin K
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Naloxone
RATIONALE:
B is correct because naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses opioid-induced respiratory
depression.
,3. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely for a client
receiving unfractionated heparin therapy?
A. INR
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. Hemoglobin A1C
D. Serum creatinine
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
RATIONALE:
B is correct because aPTT is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of unfractionated heparin.
4. A client taking warfarin should immediately report which finding?
A. Mild headache
B. Black, tarry stools
C. Increased appetite
D. Dry mouth
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Black, tarry stools
RATIONALE:
B is correct because black, tarry stools may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious adverse
effect of anticoagulant therapy.
5. A nurse is teaching a client who is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual tablets.
Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. "I'll swallow the tablet with water."
B. "I'll place the tablet under my tongue at the onset of chest pain."
C. "I'll chew the tablet before swallowing."
, D. "I'll take the tablet every morning whether I have pain or not."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I'll place the tablet under my tongue at the onset of chest pain."
RATIONALE:
B is correct because sublingual administration provides rapid absorption for relief of angina.
6. Which medication is the antidote for heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Acetylcysteine
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Protamine sulfate
RATIONALE:
B is correct because protamine sulfate neutralizes the anticoagulant effects of heparin.
7. A client taking furosemide should be monitored closely for which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hypokalemia
RATIONALE:
B is correct because loop diuretics increase urinary potassium excretion.
8. Which medication should be administered first to a client experiencing
anaphylaxis?
