2026 ATI RN Pharmacology Exam Retake 2023 with NGN
Latest Version — 70 Real Retake Exam Questions and 100%
ATI Approved Answers | Pass the RN ATI Pharmacology
Proctored Exam 2026| Grade A+.
Exam Set 1: Cardiovascular & Anticoagulant Medications
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of warfarin to a client. Which
of the following laboratory tests should the nurse review prior to administration?
A. PT (Prothrombin time)
B. Total iron-binding capacity
C. WBC
D. PTT
Correct Answer: A. PT (Prothrombin time)
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that prolongs the PT and INR. The nurse must
review the PT/INR prior to administration to ensure the therapeutic range is maintained
and to prevent bleeding complications. A PTT is used to monitor heparin therapy .
Warfarin's therapeutic INR range is typically 2-3 for most indications .
, Question 2 (NGN Case Study)
A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed digoxin. The nurse assesses the client
and notes the following findings:
• Heart rate: 52/min
• Potassium: 3.2 mEq/L
• Client complains of nausea and blurred vision
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the scheduled digoxin dose
B. Document the findings and reassess in 1 hour
C. Hold the digoxin and notify the provider
D. Administer potassium supplement immediately
Correct Answer: C. Hold the digoxin and notify the provider
Rationale: Bradycardia (HR <60), low potassium (hypokalemia), nausea, and visual
disturbances (blurred vision, yellow-green halos) are classic signs of digoxin toxicity .
Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity because digoxin competes with
potassium for binding sites on the Na+/K+ ATPase pump. The nurse must hold the dose
and contact the provider immediately .
Question 3
A client is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor most closely before administration?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
,C. Glucose 110 mg/dL
D. BUN 18 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium wasting
through the renal tubules. A potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L is hypokalemia and
requires correction before furosemide administration. Hypokalemia can precipitate
cardiac arrhythmias, especially in clients also taking digoxin . The nurse should notify the
provider of critically low potassium levels .
Question 4 (Select All That Apply)
A client is prescribed metoprolol for hypertension. After 1 week, the client reports
dizziness and fatigue. Vital signs are: BP 94/60 mm Hg, HR 54/min. Which actions
should the nurse take? (Select all that apply)
A. Hold the next dose
B. Assess blood pressure
C. Notify the provider
D. Reassure the patient this is expected
E. Administer atropine immediately
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that decreases heart rate and blood pressure.
Bradycardia (HR <60) with symptomatic hypotension (dizziness, fatigue) requires holding
the dose, assessing vital signs, and notifying the provider for dose adjustment .
Reassuring the client without intervention would be inappropriate, and atropine is not
indicated unless the client is severely symptomatic .
, Question 5
A client is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual tablets for angina. Which client
statement indicates understanding of the medication?
A. "I will swallow the tablet whole with water."
B. "I can take up to three tablets, 5 minutes apart, if pain persists."
C. "I will store the tablets in a plastic pill organizer."
D. "If chest pain continues after one dose, I'll wait 30 minutes before taking another."
Correct Answer: B. "I can take up to three tablets, 5 minutes apart, if pain
persists."
Rationale: The standard protocol for sublingual nitroglycerin is to take one tablet at
the first sign of chest pain, then repeat every 5 minutes for a maximum of three doses. If
pain persists after the third dose, the client should call 911 as this may indicate an MI .
The tablet should be placed under the tongue to dissolve, not swallowed. Nitroglycerin
must be stored in the original glass bottle to prevent degradation .
Question 6
A client is receiving heparin IV continuous infusion. The client's aPTT is 110 seconds
(therapeutic range 45-75 seconds). Which action should the nurse take?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Decrease the infusion rate or hold the infusion
C. Continue the infusion at the current rate
D. Administer protamine sulfate immediately
Correct Answer: B. Decrease the infusion rate or hold the infusion
Rationale: The therapeutic aPTT for heparin is 1.5 to 2.5 times the control value
(typically 45-75 seconds). An aPTT of 110 seconds indicates excessive anticoagulation
Latest Version — 70 Real Retake Exam Questions and 100%
ATI Approved Answers | Pass the RN ATI Pharmacology
Proctored Exam 2026| Grade A+.
Exam Set 1: Cardiovascular & Anticoagulant Medications
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of warfarin to a client. Which
of the following laboratory tests should the nurse review prior to administration?
A. PT (Prothrombin time)
B. Total iron-binding capacity
C. WBC
D. PTT
Correct Answer: A. PT (Prothrombin time)
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that prolongs the PT and INR. The nurse must
review the PT/INR prior to administration to ensure the therapeutic range is maintained
and to prevent bleeding complications. A PTT is used to monitor heparin therapy .
Warfarin's therapeutic INR range is typically 2-3 for most indications .
, Question 2 (NGN Case Study)
A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed digoxin. The nurse assesses the client
and notes the following findings:
• Heart rate: 52/min
• Potassium: 3.2 mEq/L
• Client complains of nausea and blurred vision
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the scheduled digoxin dose
B. Document the findings and reassess in 1 hour
C. Hold the digoxin and notify the provider
D. Administer potassium supplement immediately
Correct Answer: C. Hold the digoxin and notify the provider
Rationale: Bradycardia (HR <60), low potassium (hypokalemia), nausea, and visual
disturbances (blurred vision, yellow-green halos) are classic signs of digoxin toxicity .
Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity because digoxin competes with
potassium for binding sites on the Na+/K+ ATPase pump. The nurse must hold the dose
and contact the provider immediately .
Question 3
A client is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor most closely before administration?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
,C. Glucose 110 mg/dL
D. BUN 18 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium wasting
through the renal tubules. A potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L is hypokalemia and
requires correction before furosemide administration. Hypokalemia can precipitate
cardiac arrhythmias, especially in clients also taking digoxin . The nurse should notify the
provider of critically low potassium levels .
Question 4 (Select All That Apply)
A client is prescribed metoprolol for hypertension. After 1 week, the client reports
dizziness and fatigue. Vital signs are: BP 94/60 mm Hg, HR 54/min. Which actions
should the nurse take? (Select all that apply)
A. Hold the next dose
B. Assess blood pressure
C. Notify the provider
D. Reassure the patient this is expected
E. Administer atropine immediately
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that decreases heart rate and blood pressure.
Bradycardia (HR <60) with symptomatic hypotension (dizziness, fatigue) requires holding
the dose, assessing vital signs, and notifying the provider for dose adjustment .
Reassuring the client without intervention would be inappropriate, and atropine is not
indicated unless the client is severely symptomatic .
, Question 5
A client is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual tablets for angina. Which client
statement indicates understanding of the medication?
A. "I will swallow the tablet whole with water."
B. "I can take up to three tablets, 5 minutes apart, if pain persists."
C. "I will store the tablets in a plastic pill organizer."
D. "If chest pain continues after one dose, I'll wait 30 minutes before taking another."
Correct Answer: B. "I can take up to three tablets, 5 minutes apart, if pain
persists."
Rationale: The standard protocol for sublingual nitroglycerin is to take one tablet at
the first sign of chest pain, then repeat every 5 minutes for a maximum of three doses. If
pain persists after the third dose, the client should call 911 as this may indicate an MI .
The tablet should be placed under the tongue to dissolve, not swallowed. Nitroglycerin
must be stored in the original glass bottle to prevent degradation .
Question 6
A client is receiving heparin IV continuous infusion. The client's aPTT is 110 seconds
(therapeutic range 45-75 seconds). Which action should the nurse take?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Decrease the infusion rate or hold the infusion
C. Continue the infusion at the current rate
D. Administer protamine sulfate immediately
Correct Answer: B. Decrease the infusion rate or hold the infusion
Rationale: The therapeutic aPTT for heparin is 1.5 to 2.5 times the control value
(typically 45-75 seconds). An aPTT of 110 seconds indicates excessive anticoagulation
