ATI CMS PHARMACOLOGY RETAKE
CERTIFICATION ASSESSMENT 2026 ACTUAL
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES GRADED A+
⩥ What lab values should a nurse monitor for a patient with chronic
renal failure? Answer: ■ Urinalysis
☐ Hematuria, proteinuria, and alterations in specific gravity
☐ Serum creatinine
- Gradual increase of 1 to 2 mg/dL per every 24 to 48 hr for acute renal
failure (ARF)
- Gradual increase over months to years for chronic renal failure (CRF)
exceeding 4 mg/dL
■ Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
- 80 to 100 mg/dL within 1 week with ARF
- Gradual increase with elevated serum creatinine over months to years
for
CRF
- 180-200 mg/dL with (CRF)
■ Serum electrolytes
- Decreased sodium (dilutional) and calcium, increased potassium,
phosphorus, and magnesium
,■ Complete blood count (CBC)
- Decreased hemoglobin
⩥ What food should you increase when taking Lasix? Answer: -
increased amounts of potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas, prunes,
raisins, and orange juice)
⩥ Patient reports IV discomfort, what is your first action? Answer: color
and temperature
⩥ Sumatriptan (treats migraine headaches) adverse effect Answer: pain,
tightness, pressure, or heaviness in the chest, throat, neck, and/or jaw
slow or difficult speech
⩥ Know about Transdermal patch Answer: -• Apply at the same time
once each day,
preferably in the morning. Keep patch on
for 12 to 14 hr each day.
• Remove the patch at night to reduce
the risk of developing tolerance to
nitroglycerin. Be medication-free a
minimum of 10 to 12 hr each day (usually
,at night).
• Do not cut patches to ensure appropriate
dosage.
• Place the patch on a hairless area of skin
(chest, back, or abdomen) and rotate sites
to prevent skin irritation.
• Wash skin with soap and water and dry
thoroughly before applying new patch.
⩥ RBC Blood transfusion Answer:
http://www.atitesting.com/ati_next_gen/FocusedReview/data/datacontex
t/RM%20AMS%20RN%208.0%20Chp%2044.pdf (prime with normal
saline and infuse with sodium chloride).
⩥ What to understand about Parkinson's Meds? Answer: -they don't cure
disease, they slow the process.
⩥ NEUPOGEN (filgrastim)-what is the appropriate route of this med?
Answer: administered by subcutaneous injection or IV infusion
⩥ Lisinopril therapeutic effect Answer: blood pressure answer (e.g.
120/80)
⩥ Medication for Schizophrenia Answer: risperidone, Risperdal
, ⩥ Macrodantin medication Answer: used to treat or prevent certain
urinary tract infections
⩥ Haldol-inform if you are taking ____________ medication. Answer: -
benzodiazepine class of anti-anxiety drugs (all ending with "pam") and
even, Xanax.
⩥ Fosomax Answer: same as-Alendronate is used for treating
osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women.
⩥ Lipitor Answer: -lowers cholesterol in blood, "statins". Reduce LDL
and total cholesterol. Raise HDL.
⩥ Garamycin- Answer: Antibiotic that is toxic to the kidney, injected for
radiology studies.
⩥ Digoxin side effects Answer: -Fatigue
-Bradycardia
-Anorexia
-Nausea/Vomiting
⩥ Singulair Answer: used before exercise to prevent breathing problems
during exercise (bronchospasm).
CERTIFICATION ASSESSMENT 2026 ACTUAL
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES GRADED A+
⩥ What lab values should a nurse monitor for a patient with chronic
renal failure? Answer: ■ Urinalysis
☐ Hematuria, proteinuria, and alterations in specific gravity
☐ Serum creatinine
- Gradual increase of 1 to 2 mg/dL per every 24 to 48 hr for acute renal
failure (ARF)
- Gradual increase over months to years for chronic renal failure (CRF)
exceeding 4 mg/dL
■ Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
- 80 to 100 mg/dL within 1 week with ARF
- Gradual increase with elevated serum creatinine over months to years
for
CRF
- 180-200 mg/dL with (CRF)
■ Serum electrolytes
- Decreased sodium (dilutional) and calcium, increased potassium,
phosphorus, and magnesium
,■ Complete blood count (CBC)
- Decreased hemoglobin
⩥ What food should you increase when taking Lasix? Answer: -
increased amounts of potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas, prunes,
raisins, and orange juice)
⩥ Patient reports IV discomfort, what is your first action? Answer: color
and temperature
⩥ Sumatriptan (treats migraine headaches) adverse effect Answer: pain,
tightness, pressure, or heaviness in the chest, throat, neck, and/or jaw
slow or difficult speech
⩥ Know about Transdermal patch Answer: -• Apply at the same time
once each day,
preferably in the morning. Keep patch on
for 12 to 14 hr each day.
• Remove the patch at night to reduce
the risk of developing tolerance to
nitroglycerin. Be medication-free a
minimum of 10 to 12 hr each day (usually
,at night).
• Do not cut patches to ensure appropriate
dosage.
• Place the patch on a hairless area of skin
(chest, back, or abdomen) and rotate sites
to prevent skin irritation.
• Wash skin with soap and water and dry
thoroughly before applying new patch.
⩥ RBC Blood transfusion Answer:
http://www.atitesting.com/ati_next_gen/FocusedReview/data/datacontex
t/RM%20AMS%20RN%208.0%20Chp%2044.pdf (prime with normal
saline and infuse with sodium chloride).
⩥ What to understand about Parkinson's Meds? Answer: -they don't cure
disease, they slow the process.
⩥ NEUPOGEN (filgrastim)-what is the appropriate route of this med?
Answer: administered by subcutaneous injection or IV infusion
⩥ Lisinopril therapeutic effect Answer: blood pressure answer (e.g.
120/80)
⩥ Medication for Schizophrenia Answer: risperidone, Risperdal
, ⩥ Macrodantin medication Answer: used to treat or prevent certain
urinary tract infections
⩥ Haldol-inform if you are taking ____________ medication. Answer: -
benzodiazepine class of anti-anxiety drugs (all ending with "pam") and
even, Xanax.
⩥ Fosomax Answer: same as-Alendronate is used for treating
osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women.
⩥ Lipitor Answer: -lowers cholesterol in blood, "statins". Reduce LDL
and total cholesterol. Raise HDL.
⩥ Garamycin- Answer: Antibiotic that is toxic to the kidney, injected for
radiology studies.
⩥ Digoxin side effects Answer: -Fatigue
-Bradycardia
-Anorexia
-Nausea/Vomiting
⩥ Singulair Answer: used before exercise to prevent breathing problems
during exercise (bronchospasm).
