ATI RN Pharmacology Comprehensive Review
Exam Prep (2026/2027) 2025/2026 | 60 Actual
Questions with Verified Answers | 100% Accuracy
| Nursing Pharmacology Certification | Graded
A+
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an opioid medication to a client. The nurse
draws out 1 mL of medication from a 2 mL vial. Which action should the nurse
take?
A. Discard the remaining medication in the sharps container
B. Ask another nurse to observe the medication wastage
C. Document the wastage after administering the medication
D. Return the unused medication to the pharmacy
Correct Answer: B. Ask another nurse to observe the medication wastage
Rationale: Controlled substances require a second nurse to witness the wastage of unused
medication to ensure proper disposal and prevent diversion. The wastage must be
witnessed and documented before administration .
2. A nurse is teaching a client about using a nitroglycerin transdermal patch.
Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Discontinue the patch if you experience a headache"
B. "Apply a new patch if you have chest pain"
,C. "Cover the patch with dry gauze when showering"
D. "Remove the patch prior to going to bed"
Correct Answer: D. "Remove the patch prior to going to bed"
Rationale: Nitroglycerin patches should be removed at night to provide a nitrate-free
interval of 8-12 hours to prevent tolerance development. Headache is an expected side
effect, not a reason to discontinue. The patch should not be covered, and a new patch is
not applied for acute chest pain .
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for
levothyroxine. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I can take this medication with my morning coffee"
B. "I should take this medication in the morning before breakfast"
C. "I can stop taking this medication when I feel better"
D. "This medication will work immediately to relieve my fatigue"
Correct Answer: B. "I should take this medication in the morning before breakfast"
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before
breakfast to maximize absorption. Food, especially calcium and iron supplements, can
interfere with absorption. The medication requires 2-4 weeks to achieve therapeutic effect
and should not be discontinued without provider guidance .
4. A nurse is caring for a client taking sertraline who wants to begin taking
supplements. Which supplement should the nurse advise the client to avoid?
,A. Ginger root
B. St. John's Wort
C. Black cohosh
D. Coenzyme Q10
Correct Answer: B. St. John's Wort
Rationale: St. John's Wort interacts dangerously with SSRIs like sertraline, increasing the
risk of serotonin syndrome. This potentially life-threatening condition includes symptoms
such as agitation, confusion, diaphoresis, and hyperthermia .
5. A nurse is assessing a client receiving intravenous therapy. Which finding
indicates fluid volume excess?
A. Decreased bowel sounds
B. Distended neck veins
C. Bilateral muscle weakness
D. Thread pulse
Correct Answer: B. Distended neck veins
Rationale: Distended neck veins (jugular venous distention) are a classic sign of fluid
volume excess, indicating increased central venous pressure. Other signs include edema,
hypertension, and crackles in the lungs .
6. A nurse is administering furosemide IV to a client. Which adverse effect should
the nurse report?
, A. Dry mouth
B. Tinnitus
C. Constipation
D. Blurred vision
Correct Answer: B. Tinnitus
Rationale: Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is a sign of ototoxicity, a serious adverse effect of
loop diuretics like furosemide, particularly when given rapidly IV. This can lead to
permanent hearing loss and should be reported immediately .
7. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client with a new prescription for
warfarin. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will increase my intake of leafy green vegetables"
B. "I will use a soft toothbrush"
C. "I will take ibuprofen if I have a headache"
D. "I will have my blood drawn every 3 months"
Correct Answer: B. "I will use a soft toothbrush"
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases bleeding risk. Using a soft
toothbrush helps prevent gingival bleeding. Clients should maintain consistent vitamin K
intake (leafy greens), avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen due to increased bleeding risk, and have
regular INR monitoring .
8. A nurse is caring for a client taking digoxin for heart failure. Which finding
indicates digoxin toxicity?
Exam Prep (2026/2027) 2025/2026 | 60 Actual
Questions with Verified Answers | 100% Accuracy
| Nursing Pharmacology Certification | Graded
A+
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an opioid medication to a client. The nurse
draws out 1 mL of medication from a 2 mL vial. Which action should the nurse
take?
A. Discard the remaining medication in the sharps container
B. Ask another nurse to observe the medication wastage
C. Document the wastage after administering the medication
D. Return the unused medication to the pharmacy
Correct Answer: B. Ask another nurse to observe the medication wastage
Rationale: Controlled substances require a second nurse to witness the wastage of unused
medication to ensure proper disposal and prevent diversion. The wastage must be
witnessed and documented before administration .
2. A nurse is teaching a client about using a nitroglycerin transdermal patch.
Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Discontinue the patch if you experience a headache"
B. "Apply a new patch if you have chest pain"
,C. "Cover the patch with dry gauze when showering"
D. "Remove the patch prior to going to bed"
Correct Answer: D. "Remove the patch prior to going to bed"
Rationale: Nitroglycerin patches should be removed at night to provide a nitrate-free
interval of 8-12 hours to prevent tolerance development. Headache is an expected side
effect, not a reason to discontinue. The patch should not be covered, and a new patch is
not applied for acute chest pain .
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for
levothyroxine. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I can take this medication with my morning coffee"
B. "I should take this medication in the morning before breakfast"
C. "I can stop taking this medication when I feel better"
D. "This medication will work immediately to relieve my fatigue"
Correct Answer: B. "I should take this medication in the morning before breakfast"
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before
breakfast to maximize absorption. Food, especially calcium and iron supplements, can
interfere with absorption. The medication requires 2-4 weeks to achieve therapeutic effect
and should not be discontinued without provider guidance .
4. A nurse is caring for a client taking sertraline who wants to begin taking
supplements. Which supplement should the nurse advise the client to avoid?
,A. Ginger root
B. St. John's Wort
C. Black cohosh
D. Coenzyme Q10
Correct Answer: B. St. John's Wort
Rationale: St. John's Wort interacts dangerously with SSRIs like sertraline, increasing the
risk of serotonin syndrome. This potentially life-threatening condition includes symptoms
such as agitation, confusion, diaphoresis, and hyperthermia .
5. A nurse is assessing a client receiving intravenous therapy. Which finding
indicates fluid volume excess?
A. Decreased bowel sounds
B. Distended neck veins
C. Bilateral muscle weakness
D. Thread pulse
Correct Answer: B. Distended neck veins
Rationale: Distended neck veins (jugular venous distention) are a classic sign of fluid
volume excess, indicating increased central venous pressure. Other signs include edema,
hypertension, and crackles in the lungs .
6. A nurse is administering furosemide IV to a client. Which adverse effect should
the nurse report?
, A. Dry mouth
B. Tinnitus
C. Constipation
D. Blurred vision
Correct Answer: B. Tinnitus
Rationale: Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is a sign of ototoxicity, a serious adverse effect of
loop diuretics like furosemide, particularly when given rapidly IV. This can lead to
permanent hearing loss and should be reported immediately .
7. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client with a new prescription for
warfarin. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will increase my intake of leafy green vegetables"
B. "I will use a soft toothbrush"
C. "I will take ibuprofen if I have a headache"
D. "I will have my blood drawn every 3 months"
Correct Answer: B. "I will use a soft toothbrush"
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases bleeding risk. Using a soft
toothbrush helps prevent gingival bleeding. Clients should maintain consistent vitamin K
intake (leafy greens), avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen due to increased bleeding risk, and have
regular INR monitoring .
8. A nurse is caring for a client taking digoxin for heart failure. Which finding
indicates digoxin toxicity?
