ATI Pharmacology Proctored Exam (7
New Versions, 2025/2026) (Latest Real
Exams) | Q and A
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which action is most
important to ensure client safety?
• A) Verify the medication order with the charge nurse
• B) Check the client's identification using two identifiers
• C) Review the client's allergy history
• D) Assess the client's vital signs before administration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Checking the client's identification using two identifiers is the most
important action to prevent medication errors. This is a core component of the
"Seven Rights" of medication administration .
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via a nasogastric tube.
Which action should the nurse take?
• A) Flush the tube with 30 mL of sterile water before and after each
medication
• B) Crush enteric-coated medications for administration
• C) Administer all medications together in one syringe
• D) Use sterile gloves for the procedure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Flushing the tube with sterile water before and after each medication
ensures patency and prevents mixing of incompatible medications. Enteric-coated
medications should never be crushed as this destroys the protective coating
designed to prevent gastric irritation .
,3. A nurse is reviewing a client's medications. The client has a new
prescription for nitroglycerin. Which current medication is contraindicated
with nitroglycerin?
• A) Gemfibrozil
• B) Diazepam
• C) Sildenafil
• D) Lansoprazole
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Concurrent use of nitroglycerin with sildenafil (Viagra) can cause
severe hypotension or cardiovascular collapse. This is a potentially fatal drug
interaction .
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that has a high therapeutic
index. Which statement is true about this medication?
• A) The medication has a narrow margin of safety
• B) The medication has a wide margin of safety
• C) The medication requires frequent serum level monitoring
• D) The medication has a high risk of toxicity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A high therapeutic index means the medication has a wide margin of
safety—the therapeutic dose is far below the toxic dose. These medications have a
lower risk of toxicity and require less frequent monitoring .
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the intradermal route.
At what angle should the nurse insert the needle?
• A) 5- to 15-degree angle
, • B) 45-degree angle
• C) 90-degree angle
• D) 15-degree angle
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Intradermal injections are given at a 5- to 15-degree angle, just below
the epidermis. A small wheal should appear if placed correctly. This route is
typically used for allergy testing and tuberculosis screening.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection. At what angle
should the nurse insert the needle?
• A) 45- to 90-degree angle
• B) 15-degree angle
• C) 5-degree angle
• D) 90-degree angle only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Subcutaneous injections are typically given at a 45- to 90-degree angle
depending on the amount of subcutaneous tissue. The angle should be based on
client body habitus .
7. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection. Which site is
preferred for large volumes?
• A) Deltoid
• B) Ventrogluteal
• C) Subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen
• D) Dorsal aspect of the hand
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is preferred for IM injections of large volumes. It
is located away from major nerves and blood vessels .
8. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client who is NPO. The
nurse should:
• A) Administer the medication with a small sip of water
• B) Hold the medication until the client is no longer NPO
• C) Administer the medication intravenously instead
• D) Crush the medication and mix with applesauce
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a client is NPO, essential medications may be administered with
a small sip of water unless specifically contraindicated. NPO status typically
applies to food and large fluid volumes .
9. A nurse is preparing to administer eye drops to a client. Which action
should the nurse take?
• A) Have the client lie on her side
• B) Ask the client to look up at the ceiling
• C) Tell the client to blink when the drops enter her eye
• D) Drop the medication into the center of the client's conjunctival sac
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client should look upward to keep drops from falling onto the
cornea. The medication should be dropped into the center of the conjunctival sac to
promote distribution .
10. A nurse is receiving a medication prescription by telephone from a
provider. How should the nurse transcribe the prescription?
New Versions, 2025/2026) (Latest Real
Exams) | Q and A
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which action is most
important to ensure client safety?
• A) Verify the medication order with the charge nurse
• B) Check the client's identification using two identifiers
• C) Review the client's allergy history
• D) Assess the client's vital signs before administration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Checking the client's identification using two identifiers is the most
important action to prevent medication errors. This is a core component of the
"Seven Rights" of medication administration .
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via a nasogastric tube.
Which action should the nurse take?
• A) Flush the tube with 30 mL of sterile water before and after each
medication
• B) Crush enteric-coated medications for administration
• C) Administer all medications together in one syringe
• D) Use sterile gloves for the procedure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Flushing the tube with sterile water before and after each medication
ensures patency and prevents mixing of incompatible medications. Enteric-coated
medications should never be crushed as this destroys the protective coating
designed to prevent gastric irritation .
,3. A nurse is reviewing a client's medications. The client has a new
prescription for nitroglycerin. Which current medication is contraindicated
with nitroglycerin?
• A) Gemfibrozil
• B) Diazepam
• C) Sildenafil
• D) Lansoprazole
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Concurrent use of nitroglycerin with sildenafil (Viagra) can cause
severe hypotension or cardiovascular collapse. This is a potentially fatal drug
interaction .
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that has a high therapeutic
index. Which statement is true about this medication?
• A) The medication has a narrow margin of safety
• B) The medication has a wide margin of safety
• C) The medication requires frequent serum level monitoring
• D) The medication has a high risk of toxicity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A high therapeutic index means the medication has a wide margin of
safety—the therapeutic dose is far below the toxic dose. These medications have a
lower risk of toxicity and require less frequent monitoring .
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the intradermal route.
At what angle should the nurse insert the needle?
• A) 5- to 15-degree angle
, • B) 45-degree angle
• C) 90-degree angle
• D) 15-degree angle
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Intradermal injections are given at a 5- to 15-degree angle, just below
the epidermis. A small wheal should appear if placed correctly. This route is
typically used for allergy testing and tuberculosis screening.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection. At what angle
should the nurse insert the needle?
• A) 45- to 90-degree angle
• B) 15-degree angle
• C) 5-degree angle
• D) 90-degree angle only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Subcutaneous injections are typically given at a 45- to 90-degree angle
depending on the amount of subcutaneous tissue. The angle should be based on
client body habitus .
7. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection. Which site is
preferred for large volumes?
• A) Deltoid
• B) Ventrogluteal
• C) Subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen
• D) Dorsal aspect of the hand
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is preferred for IM injections of large volumes. It
is located away from major nerves and blood vessels .
8. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client who is NPO. The
nurse should:
• A) Administer the medication with a small sip of water
• B) Hold the medication until the client is no longer NPO
• C) Administer the medication intravenously instead
• D) Crush the medication and mix with applesauce
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a client is NPO, essential medications may be administered with
a small sip of water unless specifically contraindicated. NPO status typically
applies to food and large fluid volumes .
9. A nurse is preparing to administer eye drops to a client. Which action
should the nurse take?
• A) Have the client lie on her side
• B) Ask the client to look up at the ceiling
• C) Tell the client to blink when the drops enter her eye
• D) Drop the medication into the center of the client's conjunctival sac
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client should look upward to keep drops from falling onto the
cornea. The medication should be dropped into the center of the conjunctival sac to
promote distribution .
10. A nurse is receiving a medication prescription by telephone from a
provider. How should the nurse transcribe the prescription?
