ATI Pharmacology Exam 5: Endocrine Medications Study Guide 2026
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for levothyroxine.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Take the medication on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast.
B. Take the medication with food to prevent GI upset.
C. Take the medication at bedtime with a glass of milk.
D. Expect to see full therapeutic effects within 24 hours.
Answer: A
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach to enhance absorption,
typically 30-60 minutes before breakfast.
2. Which of the following is a potential side effect of long-term glucocorticoid
therapy, such as prednisone?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Osteoporosis
C. Weight loss
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Glucocorticoids inhibit bone formation and accelerate bone resorption, leading
to osteoporosis with long-term use.
,3. A client is prescribed propylthiouracil (PTU). For which of the following
adverse effects should the nurse monitor?
A. Bradycardia
B. Insomnia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Agranulocytosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Agranulocytosis is a rare but serious adverse effect of PTU; patients should
report sore throat or fever immediately.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro to a client. When should the
nurse provide the injection?
A. 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
B. 15 minutes before or immediately after a meal
C. Only at bedtime
D. Two hours after a meal
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15-30 minutes; it must be
administered close to mealtime.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with Diabetes Insipidus receiving desmopressin.
Which finding indicates the medication is effective?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Increased urine output
C. Decreased thirst and decreased urine output
D. Decreased urine specific gravity
Answer: C
Rationale: Desmopressin is an antidiuretic hormone that reduces urine volume and thirst
in patients with Diabetes Insipidus.
, 6. A client is scheduled for a CT scan with IV contrast. Which oral antidiabetic
medication must be held for 48 hours after the procedure?
A. Glipizide
B. Metformin
C. Pioglitazone
D. Acarbose
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin must be held before and for 48 hours after contrast studies to
prevent lactic acidosis and renal failure.
7. Which insulin should never be mixed with any other insulin in the same
syringe?
A. Insulin glargine
B. NPH insulin
C. Regular insulin
D. Insulin lispro
Answer: A
Rationale: Long-acting insulins like glargine and detemir should not be mixed with other
insulins due to their pH level.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about radioactive iodine (131I) therapy for
hyperthyroidism. Which instruction is correct?
A. The results are usually seen within 24 hours.
B. Stop the medication if you feel nauseous.
C. You can continue breastfeeding during therapy.
D. Stay at least 6 feet away from others for a few days.
Answer: D
Rationale: Patients receiving radioactive iodine should follow radiation precautions,
including maintaining distance from others.
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for levothyroxine.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Take the medication on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast.
B. Take the medication with food to prevent GI upset.
C. Take the medication at bedtime with a glass of milk.
D. Expect to see full therapeutic effects within 24 hours.
Answer: A
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach to enhance absorption,
typically 30-60 minutes before breakfast.
2. Which of the following is a potential side effect of long-term glucocorticoid
therapy, such as prednisone?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Osteoporosis
C. Weight loss
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Glucocorticoids inhibit bone formation and accelerate bone resorption, leading
to osteoporosis with long-term use.
,3. A client is prescribed propylthiouracil (PTU). For which of the following
adverse effects should the nurse monitor?
A. Bradycardia
B. Insomnia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Agranulocytosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Agranulocytosis is a rare but serious adverse effect of PTU; patients should
report sore throat or fever immediately.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro to a client. When should the
nurse provide the injection?
A. 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
B. 15 minutes before or immediately after a meal
C. Only at bedtime
D. Two hours after a meal
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15-30 minutes; it must be
administered close to mealtime.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with Diabetes Insipidus receiving desmopressin.
Which finding indicates the medication is effective?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Increased urine output
C. Decreased thirst and decreased urine output
D. Decreased urine specific gravity
Answer: C
Rationale: Desmopressin is an antidiuretic hormone that reduces urine volume and thirst
in patients with Diabetes Insipidus.
, 6. A client is scheduled for a CT scan with IV contrast. Which oral antidiabetic
medication must be held for 48 hours after the procedure?
A. Glipizide
B. Metformin
C. Pioglitazone
D. Acarbose
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin must be held before and for 48 hours after contrast studies to
prevent lactic acidosis and renal failure.
7. Which insulin should never be mixed with any other insulin in the same
syringe?
A. Insulin glargine
B. NPH insulin
C. Regular insulin
D. Insulin lispro
Answer: A
Rationale: Long-acting insulins like glargine and detemir should not be mixed with other
insulins due to their pH level.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about radioactive iodine (131I) therapy for
hyperthyroidism. Which instruction is correct?
A. The results are usually seen within 24 hours.
B. Stop the medication if you feel nauseous.
C. You can continue breastfeeding during therapy.
D. Stay at least 6 feet away from others for a few days.
Answer: D
Rationale: Patients receiving radioactive iodine should follow radiation precautions,
including maintaining distance from others.
