ATI RN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
assessment finding requires the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Apical pulse of 54 beats/minute
B. Blood pressure of 132/78 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/minute
D. Temperature of 37.1°C (98.8°F)
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Apical pulse of 54 beats/minute
RATIONALE: Digoxin should be withheld if the adult apical pulse is below 60 beats/minute
because it can worsen bradycardia.
2. A client receiving warfarin asks the nurse which food should be consumed
consistently. Which food should the nurse identify?
A. Spinach
B. White rice
C. Apples
D. Chicken breast
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Spinach
RATIONALE: Spinach is high in vitamin K. Clients taking warfarin should maintain a consistent
intake of vitamin K-rich foods to prevent fluctuations in INR.
3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving IV morphine. Which assessment finding
requires immediate intervention?
,A. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute
B. Pain rating of 3/10
C. Blood pressure of 128/76 mmHg
D. Heart rate of 82 beats/minute
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute
RATIONALE: Respiratory depression is the most serious adverse effect of opioids and requires
immediate intervention.
4. Which medication should the nurse have available when administering IV
morphine?
A. Naloxone
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Flumazenil
D. Vitamin K
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Naloxone
RATIONALE: Naloxone is the opioid antagonist used to reverse respiratory depression caused by
opioid overdose.
5. A client receiving heparin develops bleeding gums and an aPTT of 102
seconds. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Naloxone
D. Acetylcysteine
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Protamine sulfate
RATIONALE: Protamine sulfate is the antidote for heparin overdose.
6. Which medication is the antidote for warfarin toxicity?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
, C. Naloxone
D. Flumazenil
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Vitamin K
RATIONALE: Vitamin K reverses the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.
7. A nurse is teaching a client taking furosemide. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I should eat foods high in potassium."
B. "I should avoid weighing myself."
C. "I will stop the medication if I urinate frequently."
D. "I should restrict all fluids."
CORRECT ANSWER: A — "I should eat foods high in potassium."
RATIONALE: Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic that can cause hypokalemia.
8. Which assessment is the priority before administering insulin?
A. Check the client's blood glucose level
B. Assess bowel sounds
C. Measure urine output
D. Assess pedal pulses
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Check the client's blood glucose level
RATIONALE: Blood glucose should always be verified before administering insulin to avoid
hypoglycemia.
9. A client taking lisinopril develops persistent dry cough. What should the nurse
recognize?
A. A common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors
B. A sign of medication effectiveness only
C. Evidence of pulmonary edema
D. An indication of bacterial pneumonia
CORRECT ANSWER: A — A common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
assessment finding requires the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Apical pulse of 54 beats/minute
B. Blood pressure of 132/78 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/minute
D. Temperature of 37.1°C (98.8°F)
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Apical pulse of 54 beats/minute
RATIONALE: Digoxin should be withheld if the adult apical pulse is below 60 beats/minute
because it can worsen bradycardia.
2. A client receiving warfarin asks the nurse which food should be consumed
consistently. Which food should the nurse identify?
A. Spinach
B. White rice
C. Apples
D. Chicken breast
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Spinach
RATIONALE: Spinach is high in vitamin K. Clients taking warfarin should maintain a consistent
intake of vitamin K-rich foods to prevent fluctuations in INR.
3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving IV morphine. Which assessment finding
requires immediate intervention?
,A. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute
B. Pain rating of 3/10
C. Blood pressure of 128/76 mmHg
D. Heart rate of 82 beats/minute
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute
RATIONALE: Respiratory depression is the most serious adverse effect of opioids and requires
immediate intervention.
4. Which medication should the nurse have available when administering IV
morphine?
A. Naloxone
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Flumazenil
D. Vitamin K
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Naloxone
RATIONALE: Naloxone is the opioid antagonist used to reverse respiratory depression caused by
opioid overdose.
5. A client receiving heparin develops bleeding gums and an aPTT of 102
seconds. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Naloxone
D. Acetylcysteine
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Protamine sulfate
RATIONALE: Protamine sulfate is the antidote for heparin overdose.
6. Which medication is the antidote for warfarin toxicity?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
, C. Naloxone
D. Flumazenil
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Vitamin K
RATIONALE: Vitamin K reverses the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.
7. A nurse is teaching a client taking furosemide. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I should eat foods high in potassium."
B. "I should avoid weighing myself."
C. "I will stop the medication if I urinate frequently."
D. "I should restrict all fluids."
CORRECT ANSWER: A — "I should eat foods high in potassium."
RATIONALE: Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic that can cause hypokalemia.
8. Which assessment is the priority before administering insulin?
A. Check the client's blood glucose level
B. Assess bowel sounds
C. Measure urine output
D. Assess pedal pulses
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Check the client's blood glucose level
RATIONALE: Blood glucose should always be verified before administering insulin to avoid
hypoglycemia.
9. A client taking lisinopril develops persistent dry cough. What should the nurse
recognize?
A. A common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors
B. A sign of medication effectiveness only
C. Evidence of pulmonary edema
D. An indication of bacterial pneumonia
CORRECT ANSWER: A — A common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors
