ATI PN Capstone Pharmacology 2026 | 60 Practice Questions and Rationales |
Complete
Exam
### Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer IV midazolam for a client receiving moderate
sedation. Which action should the nurse plan to take?
A. Ensure naloxone is available in case of toxicity
B. Administer midazolam over one minute
C. Expect the client's respiratory rate to increase
D. Expect the client to respond to simple commands
**Answer: D. Expect the client to respond to simple commands**
**Rationale:** During moderate sedation, the client should be able to respond to
simple commands and maintain their own airway. Midazolam is a benzodiazepine
that causes sedation, amnesia, and muscle relaxation. Naloxone is the antidote
for opioids, not benzodiazepines (flumazenil is used for benzodiazepine
overdose). Respiratory depression, not increased rate, is a concern. The
medication should be administered slowly, not over one minute .
---
### Question 2
A nurse is teaching a client with a new prescription for metformin. Which
instruction should the nurse include?
,A. Take this medication with meals to reduce gastrointestinal upset
B. Expect to lose weight while taking this medication
C. This medication may cause your urine to turn orange
D. Take this medication at bedtime
**Answer: A. Take this medication with meals to reduce gastrointestinal upset**
**Rationale:** Metformin commonly causes GI upset including nausea, diarrhea,
and abdominal discomfort. Taking it with meals significantly reduces these
symptoms. Metformin may cause weight loss in some clients, but this is not a
guaranteed or expected outcome to emphasize as a primary teaching point.
Orange urine is associated with rifampin, not metformin .
---
### Question 3
A nurse is administering sublingual nitroglycerin to a client with angina. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication at the onset of chest pain
B. Have the client swallow the tablet with water
C. Administer the medication with a meal
D. Apply the medication to the skin
**Answer: A. Administer the medication at the onset of chest pain**
,**Rationale:** Sublingual nitroglycerin should be administered at the first sign of
chest pain for rapid absorption through the mucous membranes. The tablet
should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve—it should NOT be
swallowed. Transdermal forms are used for prophylaxis, not acute angina relief .
---
### Question 4
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
levothyroxine. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I should take this medication with food"
B. "I will take three doses each day"
C. "I might not realize the full effect of the medication for several weeks"
D. "I will take it in the evening before bed"
**Answer: C. "I might not realize the full effect of the medication for several
weeks"**
**Rationale:** Levothyroxine has a long half-life, and therapeutic effects may
take several weeks to become fully apparent. It should be taken on an empty
stomach, typically in the morning, 30-60 minutes before breakfast, to maximize
absorption. It is usually taken once daily, not three times .
---
### Question 5
, A nurse is caring for a client who is taking phenytoin IV bolus for a seizure. Which
finding should the nurse identify as an adverse effect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Red man syndrome
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypotension
**Answer: D. Hypotension**
**Rationale:** Hypotension is a known adverse effect when phenytoin is
administered rapidly via IV bolus. The medication should be infused slowly to
prevent this complication. Red man syndrome is associated with vancomycin.
Bradycardia and hypoglycemia are not typical adverse effects of phenytoin
administration .
---
### Question 6
A client taking lithium carbonate should be instructed to avoid which medication
due to increased risk of toxicity?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Ibuprofen
C. Aspirin
D. Diphenhydramine
Complete
Exam
### Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer IV midazolam for a client receiving moderate
sedation. Which action should the nurse plan to take?
A. Ensure naloxone is available in case of toxicity
B. Administer midazolam over one minute
C. Expect the client's respiratory rate to increase
D. Expect the client to respond to simple commands
**Answer: D. Expect the client to respond to simple commands**
**Rationale:** During moderate sedation, the client should be able to respond to
simple commands and maintain their own airway. Midazolam is a benzodiazepine
that causes sedation, amnesia, and muscle relaxation. Naloxone is the antidote
for opioids, not benzodiazepines (flumazenil is used for benzodiazepine
overdose). Respiratory depression, not increased rate, is a concern. The
medication should be administered slowly, not over one minute .
---
### Question 2
A nurse is teaching a client with a new prescription for metformin. Which
instruction should the nurse include?
,A. Take this medication with meals to reduce gastrointestinal upset
B. Expect to lose weight while taking this medication
C. This medication may cause your urine to turn orange
D. Take this medication at bedtime
**Answer: A. Take this medication with meals to reduce gastrointestinal upset**
**Rationale:** Metformin commonly causes GI upset including nausea, diarrhea,
and abdominal discomfort. Taking it with meals significantly reduces these
symptoms. Metformin may cause weight loss in some clients, but this is not a
guaranteed or expected outcome to emphasize as a primary teaching point.
Orange urine is associated with rifampin, not metformin .
---
### Question 3
A nurse is administering sublingual nitroglycerin to a client with angina. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication at the onset of chest pain
B. Have the client swallow the tablet with water
C. Administer the medication with a meal
D. Apply the medication to the skin
**Answer: A. Administer the medication at the onset of chest pain**
,**Rationale:** Sublingual nitroglycerin should be administered at the first sign of
chest pain for rapid absorption through the mucous membranes. The tablet
should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve—it should NOT be
swallowed. Transdermal forms are used for prophylaxis, not acute angina relief .
---
### Question 4
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
levothyroxine. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I should take this medication with food"
B. "I will take three doses each day"
C. "I might not realize the full effect of the medication for several weeks"
D. "I will take it in the evening before bed"
**Answer: C. "I might not realize the full effect of the medication for several
weeks"**
**Rationale:** Levothyroxine has a long half-life, and therapeutic effects may
take several weeks to become fully apparent. It should be taken on an empty
stomach, typically in the morning, 30-60 minutes before breakfast, to maximize
absorption. It is usually taken once daily, not three times .
---
### Question 5
, A nurse is caring for a client who is taking phenytoin IV bolus for a seizure. Which
finding should the nurse identify as an adverse effect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Red man syndrome
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypotension
**Answer: D. Hypotension**
**Rationale:** Hypotension is a known adverse effect when phenytoin is
administered rapidly via IV bolus. The medication should be infused slowly to
prevent this complication. Red man syndrome is associated with vancomycin.
Bradycardia and hypoglycemia are not typical adverse effects of phenytoin
administration .
---
### Question 6
A client taking lithium carbonate should be instructed to avoid which medication
due to increased risk of toxicity?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Ibuprofen
C. Aspirin
D. Diphenhydramine
