ATI CMS PHARMACOLOGY RETAKE
2026 ACTUAL EXAM LATEST
QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
RATED AGRADE.
Course
ATI CMS PHARMACOLOGY RETAKE
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which assessment
should the nurse perform first?
A. Measure blood pressure
B. Assess apical pulse for 1 minute
C. Check oxygen saturation
D. Assess respiratory rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Digoxin slows AV conduction and can cause bradycardia. The nurse should assess the
apical pulse for one full minute and withhold the medication if the pulse is below the prescribed
parameter (commonly <60 bpm in adults).
2. A client taking furosemide should be monitored for which adverse effect?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion, placing clients at risk for hypokalemia,
which may cause muscle weakness and dysrhythmias.
3. Which laboratory value requires immediate intervention for a client receiving heparin?
A. Platelets 65,000/mm³
,B. Sodium 138 mEq/L
C. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
D. Hemoglobin 13.5 g/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: A platelet count below 100,000/mm³ suggests heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
(HIT), a serious complication requiring discontinuation of heparin.
4. A client taking lisinopril should immediately report which symptom?
A. Persistent dry cough
B. Swelling of the lips
C. Mild dizziness when standing
D. Increased urination
Answer: B
Rationale: Angioedema is a life-threatening adverse effect of ACE inhibitors requiring
emergency care.
5. Which statement by a client taking warfarin indicates understanding?
A. "I'll increase my spinach intake every day."
B. "I'll report black, tarry stools."
C. "I'll take aspirin for headaches."
D. "I'll stop taking the medication if bruising develops."
Answer: B
Rationale: Melena is a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding and requires prompt evaluation.
6. A client prescribed metformin should discontinue the medication before which procedure?
A. Chest X-ray
B. MRI with gadolinium
, C. CT scan with iodinated contrast
D. Ultrasound
Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin is temporarily withheld around iodinated contrast exposure because of
the risk of lactic acidosis if kidney function is impaired.
7. Which medication is classified as a rapid-acting insulin?
A. Glargine
B. NPH
C. Lispro
D. Detemir
Answer: C
Rationale: Lispro begins working within about 15 minutes and is administered immediately
before meals.
8. Which finding indicates magnesium sulfate toxicity?
A. Hyperactive reflexes
B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
C. Blood pressure 150/92 mmHg
D. Heart rate 110/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a serious sign of magnesium toxicity. Calcium gluconate is
the antidote.
9. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a client taking nitroglycerin sublingual
tablets?
A. Swallow the tablet.
2026 ACTUAL EXAM LATEST
QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
RATED AGRADE.
Course
ATI CMS PHARMACOLOGY RETAKE
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which assessment
should the nurse perform first?
A. Measure blood pressure
B. Assess apical pulse for 1 minute
C. Check oxygen saturation
D. Assess respiratory rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Digoxin slows AV conduction and can cause bradycardia. The nurse should assess the
apical pulse for one full minute and withhold the medication if the pulse is below the prescribed
parameter (commonly <60 bpm in adults).
2. A client taking furosemide should be monitored for which adverse effect?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion, placing clients at risk for hypokalemia,
which may cause muscle weakness and dysrhythmias.
3. Which laboratory value requires immediate intervention for a client receiving heparin?
A. Platelets 65,000/mm³
,B. Sodium 138 mEq/L
C. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
D. Hemoglobin 13.5 g/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: A platelet count below 100,000/mm³ suggests heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
(HIT), a serious complication requiring discontinuation of heparin.
4. A client taking lisinopril should immediately report which symptom?
A. Persistent dry cough
B. Swelling of the lips
C. Mild dizziness when standing
D. Increased urination
Answer: B
Rationale: Angioedema is a life-threatening adverse effect of ACE inhibitors requiring
emergency care.
5. Which statement by a client taking warfarin indicates understanding?
A. "I'll increase my spinach intake every day."
B. "I'll report black, tarry stools."
C. "I'll take aspirin for headaches."
D. "I'll stop taking the medication if bruising develops."
Answer: B
Rationale: Melena is a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding and requires prompt evaluation.
6. A client prescribed metformin should discontinue the medication before which procedure?
A. Chest X-ray
B. MRI with gadolinium
, C. CT scan with iodinated contrast
D. Ultrasound
Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin is temporarily withheld around iodinated contrast exposure because of
the risk of lactic acidosis if kidney function is impaired.
7. Which medication is classified as a rapid-acting insulin?
A. Glargine
B. NPH
C. Lispro
D. Detemir
Answer: C
Rationale: Lispro begins working within about 15 minutes and is administered immediately
before meals.
8. Which finding indicates magnesium sulfate toxicity?
A. Hyperactive reflexes
B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
C. Blood pressure 150/92 mmHg
D. Heart rate 110/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a serious sign of magnesium toxicity. Calcium gluconate is
the antidote.
9. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a client taking nitroglycerin sublingual
tablets?
A. Swallow the tablet.
