ATI Pharmacology CMS Proctored Exam:
Practice Questions and Answers | 100% Pass
Guaranteed | Graded A+
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure.
Which assessment finding requires withholding the medication?
A) Potassium level 4.0 mEq/L
B) Apical pulse 54/min
C) Blood pressure 132/78 mm Hg
D) Respiratory rate 18/min
Correct Answer: B) Apical pulse 54/min
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is below 60 beats/min due to
the risk of bradycardia. The therapeutic range for digoxin is narrow, and bradycardia is
an early sign of digoxin toxicity. The nurse should reassess the pulse and notify the
provider if it remains below 60 .
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client receiving warfarin therapy. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness?
A) Platelet count
B) INR
C) Hemoglobin
D) WBC count
Correct Answer: B) INR
,Rationale: International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard laboratory test used to
monitor warfarin therapy effectiveness. The therapeutic target for most indications is
INR 2.0–3.0. Bleeding risk increases significantly when INR exceeds 4.0 .
Question 3: A nurse is administering heparin subcutaneously to a client who has deep
vein thrombosis. The nurse should monitor which laboratory value?
A) INR
B) aPTT
C) Platelet count
D) Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: B) aPTT
Rationale: Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is used to monitor heparin
therapy. The therapeutic goal is typically 1.5–2.5 times the control value. The nurse
should also monitor for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) by checking platelet
counts regularly .
Question 4: A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
clopidogrel. Which adverse effect should the nurse instruct the client to report?
A) Insomnia
B) Hypotension
C) Bleeding
D) Constipation
Correct Answer: C) Bleeding
,Rationale: Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medication that increases bleeding risk. The
nurse should instruct the client to report unusual bruising, bleeding gums, dark tarry
stools, or hematuria. The medication should be discontinued 5–7 days before elective
surgery .
Question 5: A nurse is teaching a client about nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A) "I will swallow the tablet."
B) "I will keep the tablets in a dark container."
C) "I can take as many tablets as needed."
D) "I should take the tablet with food."
Correct Answer: B) "I will keep the tablets in a dark container."
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is light-sensitive and should be stored in its original dark
container. The tablet should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve
completely. The client should take one tablet at the onset of chest pain and may take up
to three tablets 5 minutes apart; if pain persists after three tablets, emergency services
should be contacted .
Question 6: A nurse is administering furosemide to a client. Which adverse effect
should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypocalcemia
, Correct Answer: B) Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss through the
kidneys. The nurse should monitor serum potassium levels and assess for signs of
hypokalemia including muscle weakness, cardiac dysrhythmias, and fatigue. Potassium
supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics may be prescribed concurrently .
Question 7: A nurse is reviewing laboratory results before administering furosemide 40
mg IV bolus. Which value indicates the medication should be withheld?
A) Sodium 138 mEq/L
B) Potassium 2.5 mEq/L
C) Creatinine 1.2 mg/dL
D) Glucose 110 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B) Potassium 2.5 mEq/L
Rationale: Severe hypokalemia (potassium < 3.0 mEq/L) is a contraindication for
furosemide administration because the medication will further deplete potassium levels,
increasing the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias. The nurse should notify the provider and
obtain orders for potassium replacement before administering the diuretic .
Question 8: A nurse is caring for a client receiving enalapril. Which adverse effect is
expected with this medication?
A) Cough
B) Bradycardia
Practice Questions and Answers | 100% Pass
Guaranteed | Graded A+
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure.
Which assessment finding requires withholding the medication?
A) Potassium level 4.0 mEq/L
B) Apical pulse 54/min
C) Blood pressure 132/78 mm Hg
D) Respiratory rate 18/min
Correct Answer: B) Apical pulse 54/min
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is below 60 beats/min due to
the risk of bradycardia. The therapeutic range for digoxin is narrow, and bradycardia is
an early sign of digoxin toxicity. The nurse should reassess the pulse and notify the
provider if it remains below 60 .
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client receiving warfarin therapy. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness?
A) Platelet count
B) INR
C) Hemoglobin
D) WBC count
Correct Answer: B) INR
,Rationale: International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard laboratory test used to
monitor warfarin therapy effectiveness. The therapeutic target for most indications is
INR 2.0–3.0. Bleeding risk increases significantly when INR exceeds 4.0 .
Question 3: A nurse is administering heparin subcutaneously to a client who has deep
vein thrombosis. The nurse should monitor which laboratory value?
A) INR
B) aPTT
C) Platelet count
D) Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: B) aPTT
Rationale: Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is used to monitor heparin
therapy. The therapeutic goal is typically 1.5–2.5 times the control value. The nurse
should also monitor for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) by checking platelet
counts regularly .
Question 4: A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
clopidogrel. Which adverse effect should the nurse instruct the client to report?
A) Insomnia
B) Hypotension
C) Bleeding
D) Constipation
Correct Answer: C) Bleeding
,Rationale: Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medication that increases bleeding risk. The
nurse should instruct the client to report unusual bruising, bleeding gums, dark tarry
stools, or hematuria. The medication should be discontinued 5–7 days before elective
surgery .
Question 5: A nurse is teaching a client about nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A) "I will swallow the tablet."
B) "I will keep the tablets in a dark container."
C) "I can take as many tablets as needed."
D) "I should take the tablet with food."
Correct Answer: B) "I will keep the tablets in a dark container."
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is light-sensitive and should be stored in its original dark
container. The tablet should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve
completely. The client should take one tablet at the onset of chest pain and may take up
to three tablets 5 minutes apart; if pain persists after three tablets, emergency services
should be contacted .
Question 6: A nurse is administering furosemide to a client. Which adverse effect
should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypocalcemia
, Correct Answer: B) Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss through the
kidneys. The nurse should monitor serum potassium levels and assess for signs of
hypokalemia including muscle weakness, cardiac dysrhythmias, and fatigue. Potassium
supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics may be prescribed concurrently .
Question 7: A nurse is reviewing laboratory results before administering furosemide 40
mg IV bolus. Which value indicates the medication should be withheld?
A) Sodium 138 mEq/L
B) Potassium 2.5 mEq/L
C) Creatinine 1.2 mg/dL
D) Glucose 110 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B) Potassium 2.5 mEq/L
Rationale: Severe hypokalemia (potassium < 3.0 mEq/L) is a contraindication for
furosemide administration because the medication will further deplete potassium levels,
increasing the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias. The nurse should notify the provider and
obtain orders for potassium replacement before administering the diuretic .
Question 8: A nurse is caring for a client receiving enalapril. Which adverse effect is
expected with this medication?
A) Cough
B) Bradycardia
