ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY/ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY
PROCTORED EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH NGN A NEW UPDATED
VERSION LATEST 2026-2027 (CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+
QUESTION 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of
the following findings should indicate to the nurse to withhold the medication and
notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse of 62 beats/min
B. Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
C. Apical pulse of 52 beats/min
D. Serum digoxin level of 1.2 ng/mL
Rationale: The normal apical pulse range for digoxin administration is 60-100
beats/min. A pulse of 52 beats/min is below the acceptable range and indicates
bradycardia, which increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. The medication should be
withheld and the provider notified. A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is low and also
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity, but the question specifically asks for findings
that indicate withholding the medication, and the low pulse is the most immediate
indicator.
QUESTION 2
,A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will use a soft-bristled toothbrush."
B. "I will avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication."
C. "I will increase my intake of green leafy vegetables."
D. "I will report any unusual bleeding to my provider."
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting vitamin K-
dependent clotting factors. Green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin K, which can
decrease the effectiveness of warfarin. Clients should maintain a consistent intake
of vitamin K-containing foods rather than increasing them. The other statements
are correct: soft-bristled toothbrushes prevent gum bleeding, alcohol can increase
bleeding risk, and unusual bleeding should be reported promptly.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV heparin therapy. Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the therapeutic
effectiveness of this medication?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. International normalized ratio (INR)
D. Platelet count
Rationale: Heparin works by potentiating antithrombin III, which inactivates
thrombin and factor Xa. The aPTT is the primary laboratory test used to monitor
heparin therapy, with a therapeutic goal typically 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal
control value. PT and INR are used to monitor warfarin therapy. Platelet count is
monitored to detect heparin-induced thrombocytopenia but does not evaluate
therapeutic effectiveness.
QUESTION 4
,A nurse is administering morphine sulfate to a client for severe pain. Which of the
following adverse effects should the nurse monitor for?
A. Diarrhea
B. Hypertension
C. Respiratory depression
D. Hyperthermia
Rationale: Morphine is an opioid analgesic that can cause respiratory depression
by decreasing the sensitivity of the respiratory center in the medulla to carbon
dioxide. This is the most serious adverse effect and requires close monitoring.
Morphine more commonly causes constipation (not diarrhea), hypotension (not
hypertension), and can cause hypothermia (not hyperthermia).
QUESTION 5
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
furosemide. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend the client
consume?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. White bread
D. Pasta
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting, leading to
hypokalemia. Bananas are high in potassium and should be recommended to help
maintain adequate potassium levels. Apples, white bread, and pasta are not
significant sources of potassium.
QUESTION 6
A nurse is reviewing the medication record of a client who is receiving lithium
carbonate. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
A. Serum calcium
B. Serum magnesium
, C. Serum sodium
D. Serum glucose
Rationale: Lithium is a mood-stabilizing medication that competes with sodium for
reabsorption in the renal tubules. Low sodium levels can lead to lithium
accumulation and toxicity. Clients should maintain adequate sodium intake and be
monitored for hyponatremia. Lithium does not directly affect calcium, magnesium,
or glucose levels.
QUESTION 7
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro to a client. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer the insulin 30 minutes before a meal
B. Administer the insulin within 5-15 minutes before a meal
C. Administer the insulin 1 hour after a meal
D. Administer the insulin at bedtime
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of action of
approximately 15 minutes. It should be administered within 5-15 minutes before
meals to match the postprandial glucose rise and prevent hypoglycemia. Regular
insulin is given 30 minutes before meals. Administering after meals or at bedtime is
not appropriate for prandial coverage.
QUESTION 8
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
levothyroxine. Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding?
A. "I will take this medication with food to avoid stomach upset."
B. "I will take this medication on an empty stomach in the morning."
C. "I will skip my dose if I feel better."
D. "I will take this medication at bedtime."
PROCTORED EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH NGN A NEW UPDATED
VERSION LATEST 2026-2027 (CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+
QUESTION 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of
the following findings should indicate to the nurse to withhold the medication and
notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse of 62 beats/min
B. Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
C. Apical pulse of 52 beats/min
D. Serum digoxin level of 1.2 ng/mL
Rationale: The normal apical pulse range for digoxin administration is 60-100
beats/min. A pulse of 52 beats/min is below the acceptable range and indicates
bradycardia, which increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. The medication should be
withheld and the provider notified. A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is low and also
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity, but the question specifically asks for findings
that indicate withholding the medication, and the low pulse is the most immediate
indicator.
QUESTION 2
,A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will use a soft-bristled toothbrush."
B. "I will avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication."
C. "I will increase my intake of green leafy vegetables."
D. "I will report any unusual bleeding to my provider."
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting vitamin K-
dependent clotting factors. Green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin K, which can
decrease the effectiveness of warfarin. Clients should maintain a consistent intake
of vitamin K-containing foods rather than increasing them. The other statements
are correct: soft-bristled toothbrushes prevent gum bleeding, alcohol can increase
bleeding risk, and unusual bleeding should be reported promptly.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV heparin therapy. Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the therapeutic
effectiveness of this medication?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. International normalized ratio (INR)
D. Platelet count
Rationale: Heparin works by potentiating antithrombin III, which inactivates
thrombin and factor Xa. The aPTT is the primary laboratory test used to monitor
heparin therapy, with a therapeutic goal typically 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal
control value. PT and INR are used to monitor warfarin therapy. Platelet count is
monitored to detect heparin-induced thrombocytopenia but does not evaluate
therapeutic effectiveness.
QUESTION 4
,A nurse is administering morphine sulfate to a client for severe pain. Which of the
following adverse effects should the nurse monitor for?
A. Diarrhea
B. Hypertension
C. Respiratory depression
D. Hyperthermia
Rationale: Morphine is an opioid analgesic that can cause respiratory depression
by decreasing the sensitivity of the respiratory center in the medulla to carbon
dioxide. This is the most serious adverse effect and requires close monitoring.
Morphine more commonly causes constipation (not diarrhea), hypotension (not
hypertension), and can cause hypothermia (not hyperthermia).
QUESTION 5
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
furosemide. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend the client
consume?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. White bread
D. Pasta
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting, leading to
hypokalemia. Bananas are high in potassium and should be recommended to help
maintain adequate potassium levels. Apples, white bread, and pasta are not
significant sources of potassium.
QUESTION 6
A nurse is reviewing the medication record of a client who is receiving lithium
carbonate. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
A. Serum calcium
B. Serum magnesium
, C. Serum sodium
D. Serum glucose
Rationale: Lithium is a mood-stabilizing medication that competes with sodium for
reabsorption in the renal tubules. Low sodium levels can lead to lithium
accumulation and toxicity. Clients should maintain adequate sodium intake and be
monitored for hyponatremia. Lithium does not directly affect calcium, magnesium,
or glucose levels.
QUESTION 7
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro to a client. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer the insulin 30 minutes before a meal
B. Administer the insulin within 5-15 minutes before a meal
C. Administer the insulin 1 hour after a meal
D. Administer the insulin at bedtime
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of action of
approximately 15 minutes. It should be administered within 5-15 minutes before
meals to match the postprandial glucose rise and prevent hypoglycemia. Regular
insulin is given 30 minutes before meals. Administering after meals or at bedtime is
not appropriate for prandial coverage.
QUESTION 8
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
levothyroxine. Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding?
A. "I will take this medication with food to avoid stomach upset."
B. "I will take this medication on an empty stomach in the morning."
C. "I will skip my dose if I feel better."
D. "I will take this medication at bedtime."
