ATI PN Pharmacology Practice Exam 2026:
Medication Administration & Pharmacology —
Verified Correct Answers, Detailed Rationales
& Instant PDF
1. Medication Rights
A practical nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a
client. Which action best demonstrates the nurse's
responsibility to follow the right-client principle?
A. Asking the client to state their room number
B. Comparing the medication label with the MAR
C. Using two identifiers to verify the client's identity
D. Asking another nurse to identify the client
Answer: C. Using two identifiers to verify the client's identity
Rationale: Using two client identifiers, such as the client's full
name and date of birth, helps prevent medication errors. The
room number should not be used as an identifier because clients
can be transferred or room assignments can change. Comparing
the medication label with the MAR is important but does not
independently verify the client's identity. The nurse remains
,responsible for correctly identifying the client before
administration.
2. Medication Administration
A nurse is administering an oral medication to a client. Which
action is appropriate?
A. Leave the medication at the bedside if the client is asleep
B. Crush all oral medications before administration
C. Remain with the client until the medication has been
swallowed
D. Mix medication with food without checking whether it can be
crushed
Answer: C. Remain with the client until the medication has
been swallowed
Rationale: The nurse should remain with the client and verify
that the medication has been swallowed when administering an
oral medication. This promotes medication safety and helps
ensure the prescribed dose is actually taken. Not all medications
can be crushed because some are extended-release, enteric-
coated, or otherwise formulated for a specific release pattern.
Medications should not be left at the bedside unless specifically
permitted by facility policy and the medication's characteristics.
,3. Enteric-Coated Medication
A client has been prescribed an enteric-coated tablet. Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
A. "Crush the tablet and mix it with applesauce."
B. "Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing."
C. "Swallow the tablet whole."
D. "Dissolve the tablet in water before taking it."
Answer: C. "Swallow the tablet whole."
Rationale: Enteric-coated medications are designed to resist
dissolution in the stomach and dissolve in the intestine.
Crushing, chewing, or dissolving the medication can destroy the
protective coating and potentially cause gastric irritation or
alter drug absorption. The nurse should verify medication-
specific administration instructions whenever there is
uncertainty.
4. Medication Calculation
A prescription reads: acetaminophen 650 mg PO. Available:
acetaminophen 325 mg tablets. How many tablets should the
nurse administer?
A. 1 tablet
, B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Answer: B. 2 tablets
Rationale: The prescribed dose is 650 mg and each tablet
contains 325 mg. The calculation is 650 mg ÷ 325 mg/tablet = 2
tablets. The nurse should always verify the medication
concentration and prescribed dose before administration and
perform an independent calculation when required by facility
policy.
5. Sublingual Medication
A nurse is teaching a client how to take a sublingual medication.
Which instruction is appropriate?
A. "Swallow the medication with a full glass of water."
B. "Place the medication between your cheek and gum."
C. "Place the medication under your tongue and allow it to
dissolve."
D. "Chew the medication before swallowing."
Answer: C. "Place the medication under your tongue and
allow it to dissolve."
Rationale: Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue,
where they dissolve and are absorbed through the oral mucosa.
Medication Administration & Pharmacology —
Verified Correct Answers, Detailed Rationales
& Instant PDF
1. Medication Rights
A practical nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a
client. Which action best demonstrates the nurse's
responsibility to follow the right-client principle?
A. Asking the client to state their room number
B. Comparing the medication label with the MAR
C. Using two identifiers to verify the client's identity
D. Asking another nurse to identify the client
Answer: C. Using two identifiers to verify the client's identity
Rationale: Using two client identifiers, such as the client's full
name and date of birth, helps prevent medication errors. The
room number should not be used as an identifier because clients
can be transferred or room assignments can change. Comparing
the medication label with the MAR is important but does not
independently verify the client's identity. The nurse remains
,responsible for correctly identifying the client before
administration.
2. Medication Administration
A nurse is administering an oral medication to a client. Which
action is appropriate?
A. Leave the medication at the bedside if the client is asleep
B. Crush all oral medications before administration
C. Remain with the client until the medication has been
swallowed
D. Mix medication with food without checking whether it can be
crushed
Answer: C. Remain with the client until the medication has
been swallowed
Rationale: The nurse should remain with the client and verify
that the medication has been swallowed when administering an
oral medication. This promotes medication safety and helps
ensure the prescribed dose is actually taken. Not all medications
can be crushed because some are extended-release, enteric-
coated, or otherwise formulated for a specific release pattern.
Medications should not be left at the bedside unless specifically
permitted by facility policy and the medication's characteristics.
,3. Enteric-Coated Medication
A client has been prescribed an enteric-coated tablet. Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
A. "Crush the tablet and mix it with applesauce."
B. "Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing."
C. "Swallow the tablet whole."
D. "Dissolve the tablet in water before taking it."
Answer: C. "Swallow the tablet whole."
Rationale: Enteric-coated medications are designed to resist
dissolution in the stomach and dissolve in the intestine.
Crushing, chewing, or dissolving the medication can destroy the
protective coating and potentially cause gastric irritation or
alter drug absorption. The nurse should verify medication-
specific administration instructions whenever there is
uncertainty.
4. Medication Calculation
A prescription reads: acetaminophen 650 mg PO. Available:
acetaminophen 325 mg tablets. How many tablets should the
nurse administer?
A. 1 tablet
, B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Answer: B. 2 tablets
Rationale: The prescribed dose is 650 mg and each tablet
contains 325 mg. The calculation is 650 mg ÷ 325 mg/tablet = 2
tablets. The nurse should always verify the medication
concentration and prescribed dose before administration and
perform an independent calculation when required by facility
policy.
5. Sublingual Medication
A nurse is teaching a client how to take a sublingual medication.
Which instruction is appropriate?
A. "Swallow the medication with a full glass of water."
B. "Place the medication between your cheek and gum."
C. "Place the medication under your tongue and allow it to
dissolve."
D. "Chew the medication before swallowing."
Answer: C. "Place the medication under your tongue and
allow it to dissolve."
Rationale: Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue,
where they dissolve and are absorbed through the oral mucosa.
