2026 ATI Pharmacology
Examination Questions
Practice Answers with Verified
Rationales
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with
heart failure. Which finding requires the nurse to withhold the
medication and notify the provider?
A. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
B. Apical pulse of 54/min
C. Respiratory rate of 18/min
D. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
Answer: B. Apical pulse of 54/min
Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should generally
withhold digoxin when the adult apical pulse is below 60/min
and notify the provider.
,2. A client taking lisinopril reports swelling of the lips and
tongue. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next dose with food
B. Encourage increased fluid intake
C. Hold the medication and obtain emergency assistance
D. Document the finding as an expected effect
Answer: C. Hold the medication and obtain emergency
assistance
Facial and tongue swelling can indicate angioedema, a
potentially life-threatening reaction to an ACE inhibitor that can
obstruct the airway.
3. Which statement by a client taking warfarin indicates an
understanding of dietary precautions?
A. “I should completely avoid foods containing vitamin K.”
B. “I should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K.”
C. “I should increase my intake of leafy green vegetables.”
D. “I can take aspirin whenever I have a headache.”
Answer: B. “I should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin
K.”
Vitamin K can reduce warfarin's anticoagulant effect. Clients
should maintain a consistent intake rather than eliminate
vitamin K-containing foods.
,4. A nurse is administering furosemide to a client. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelet count
Answer: A. Potassium
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant
potassium loss, increasing the risk of dysrhythmias.
5. Which adverse effect should a nurse monitor for in a client
receiving morphine?
A. Hypertension
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hyperactivity
D. Excessive salivation
Answer: B. Respiratory depression
Opioids can suppress the respiratory center. Respiratory rate,
oxygenation, and level of consciousness should be monitored
closely.
, 6. A client receiving heparin develops significant bleeding.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Naloxone
Answer: B. Protamine sulfate
Protamine sulfate is the reversal agent for unfractionated
heparin.
7. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client
receiving potassium chloride intravenously?
A. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
B. Serum potassium of 4.1 mEq/L
C. Burning at the infusion site
D. Irregular cardiac rhythm
Answer: D. Irregular cardiac rhythm
Rapid or excessive potassium administration can cause
hyperkalemia and life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about sublingual nitroglycerin.
Which instruction is appropriate?
Examination Questions
Practice Answers with Verified
Rationales
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with
heart failure. Which finding requires the nurse to withhold the
medication and notify the provider?
A. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
B. Apical pulse of 54/min
C. Respiratory rate of 18/min
D. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
Answer: B. Apical pulse of 54/min
Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should generally
withhold digoxin when the adult apical pulse is below 60/min
and notify the provider.
,2. A client taking lisinopril reports swelling of the lips and
tongue. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next dose with food
B. Encourage increased fluid intake
C. Hold the medication and obtain emergency assistance
D. Document the finding as an expected effect
Answer: C. Hold the medication and obtain emergency
assistance
Facial and tongue swelling can indicate angioedema, a
potentially life-threatening reaction to an ACE inhibitor that can
obstruct the airway.
3. Which statement by a client taking warfarin indicates an
understanding of dietary precautions?
A. “I should completely avoid foods containing vitamin K.”
B. “I should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K.”
C. “I should increase my intake of leafy green vegetables.”
D. “I can take aspirin whenever I have a headache.”
Answer: B. “I should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin
K.”
Vitamin K can reduce warfarin's anticoagulant effect. Clients
should maintain a consistent intake rather than eliminate
vitamin K-containing foods.
,4. A nurse is administering furosemide to a client. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelet count
Answer: A. Potassium
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant
potassium loss, increasing the risk of dysrhythmias.
5. Which adverse effect should a nurse monitor for in a client
receiving morphine?
A. Hypertension
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hyperactivity
D. Excessive salivation
Answer: B. Respiratory depression
Opioids can suppress the respiratory center. Respiratory rate,
oxygenation, and level of consciousness should be monitored
closely.
, 6. A client receiving heparin develops significant bleeding.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Naloxone
Answer: B. Protamine sulfate
Protamine sulfate is the reversal agent for unfractionated
heparin.
7. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client
receiving potassium chloride intravenously?
A. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
B. Serum potassium of 4.1 mEq/L
C. Burning at the infusion site
D. Irregular cardiac rhythm
Answer: D. Irregular cardiac rhythm
Rapid or excessive potassium administration can cause
hyperkalemia and life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about sublingual nitroglycerin.
Which instruction is appropriate?
