2026 PHARMACOLOGY ATI PROCTORED RETAKE|ATI RETAKE
PROCTORED PHARMACOLOGY EXAM GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS.
A nurse is writing a plan of care for a client receiving drug therapy. Which of the
following nursing diagnoses would be most appropriate if the client developed
common adverse effects related to central nervous system effects of the
medication?
A) Disturbed sensory perception (visual) related to central nervous system effects
B) Risk for infection related to immunosuppression
C) Impaired physical mobility related to neuromuscular effects
D) Decreased cardiac output related to cardiovascular effects
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale
Many medications, particularly those that affect the central nervous system (CNS),
can cause adverse effects such as blurred vision, diplopia, or other visual
disturbances. A nursing diagnosis of "Disturbed sensory perception (visual) related
to central nervous system effects of the drug" is appropriate when a client
experiences visual changes as a result of medication therapy. This diagnosis allows
the nurse to plan interventions such as ensuring a safe environment, teaching the
client to avoid activities requiring visual acuity until the effect resolves, and
monitoring for further visual changes. Other diagnoses would be appropriate for
different adverse effect profiles. For example, "Risk for infection" would be
appropriate for immunosuppressive drugs, "Impaired physical mobility" for
neuromuscular blocking agents, and "Decreased cardiac output" for cardiotoxic
medications. Selecting the correct nursing diagnosis requires understanding the
specific adverse effect profile of the medication being administered.
,DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis)
TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
A client is prescribed chloroquine, an antimalarial medication, and asks the nurse
how it works. Which of the following processes should the nurse describe
regarding the mechanism of action of chloroquine?
A) It changes the metabolic pathways necessary for the reproduction of the
Plasmodium organism.
B) It directly kills the Plasmodium organism by destroying its cell wall.
C) It prevents the Plasmodium organism from entering red blood cells.
D) It stimulates the immune system to attack the Plasmodium organism.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale
Chloroquine is an antimalarial medication that works by altering the metabolic
pathways necessary for the reproduction of the Plasmodium organism.
Specifically, chloroquine interferes with the parasite's ability to metabolize
hemoglobin and detoxify heme, which is toxic to the parasite. This disruption of
metabolic processes prevents the parasite from replicating and leads to its death.
Chloroquine is effective against the erythrocytic stages of the Plasmodium
parasite, making it useful for both the treatment and prevention of malaria. It
does not directly destroy the cell wall, prevent entry into red blood cells, or
stimulate the immune system. Understanding the mechanism of action of
antimalarial medications is essential for client education and monitoring for
therapeutic effectiveness.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Pharmacology: Antimalarials
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
,A nurse practitioner provides primary care in a rural setting. Which of the
following actions should the nurse perform to minimize the emergence of drug-
resistant microorganisms?
A) Avoid the use of broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs when treating trivial or
viral infections
B) Use broad-spectrum agents for all infections to ensure coverage
C) Prescribe vancomycin as a first-line treatment for all infections
D) Encourage clients to take antibiotics only until symptoms resolve
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale
To minimize the emergence of drug-resistant microorganisms, healthcare
providers should avoid the use of broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs when
treating trivial or viral infections. Broad-spectrum antibiotics kill a wide range of
bacteria, including normal flora, which can lead to the development of resistance.
Narrow-spectrum agents should be used if they are thought to be effective for the
specific infection. Vancomycin should be reserved for serious infections caused by
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other resistant organisms
to prevent the development of vancomycin-resistant organisms. Clients should be
instructed to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, not just until
symptoms resolve. Antimicrobial stewardship programs emphasize the
importance of using the narrowest spectrum antibiotic for the shortest duration
necessary to treat the infection while minimizing the risk of resistance
development.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
TOP: Pharmacology: Antimicrobial Stewardship
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
A client taking diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, for hypertension has come to
the clinic for a follow-up appointment. Which of the following adverse effects
should the nurse assess the client for?
, A) Peripheral edema and bradycardia
B) Hypertension and tachycardia
C) Hyperglycemia and weight gain
D) Bronchospasm and hypotension
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale
Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that inhibits the influx of calcium ions into
cardiac and smooth muscle cells, leading to vasodilation and decreased cardiac
contractility. Common adverse effects of diltiazem include peripheral edema (due
to vasodilation and fluid retention) and bradycardia (due to decreased conduction
through the AV node). Other calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine, may
cause reflex tachycardia, but diltiazem is more likely to cause bradycardia.
Hyperglycemia and weight gain are not typical adverse effects of calcium channel
blockers. Bronchospasm is more commonly associated with beta-blockers. The
nurse should assess the client for signs of peripheral edema, such as swelling in
the lower extremities, and monitor the heart rate for bradycardia. Client
education should include reporting any swelling, dizziness, or unusually slow heart
rate.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
TOP: Pharmacology: Calcium Channel Blockers
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
What is the nurse's priority assessment before giving a female client her
prescription for an angiotensin II-receptor blocker (ARB)?
A) "When was your last menstrual period?"
B) "Have you had any difficulty breathing?"
C) "Do you have a history of kidney disease?"
D) "What is your current blood pressure?"
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale
PROCTORED PHARMACOLOGY EXAM GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS.
A nurse is writing a plan of care for a client receiving drug therapy. Which of the
following nursing diagnoses would be most appropriate if the client developed
common adverse effects related to central nervous system effects of the
medication?
A) Disturbed sensory perception (visual) related to central nervous system effects
B) Risk for infection related to immunosuppression
C) Impaired physical mobility related to neuromuscular effects
D) Decreased cardiac output related to cardiovascular effects
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale
Many medications, particularly those that affect the central nervous system (CNS),
can cause adverse effects such as blurred vision, diplopia, or other visual
disturbances. A nursing diagnosis of "Disturbed sensory perception (visual) related
to central nervous system effects of the drug" is appropriate when a client
experiences visual changes as a result of medication therapy. This diagnosis allows
the nurse to plan interventions such as ensuring a safe environment, teaching the
client to avoid activities requiring visual acuity until the effect resolves, and
monitoring for further visual changes. Other diagnoses would be appropriate for
different adverse effect profiles. For example, "Risk for infection" would be
appropriate for immunosuppressive drugs, "Impaired physical mobility" for
neuromuscular blocking agents, and "Decreased cardiac output" for cardiotoxic
medications. Selecting the correct nursing diagnosis requires understanding the
specific adverse effect profile of the medication being administered.
,DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis)
TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
A client is prescribed chloroquine, an antimalarial medication, and asks the nurse
how it works. Which of the following processes should the nurse describe
regarding the mechanism of action of chloroquine?
A) It changes the metabolic pathways necessary for the reproduction of the
Plasmodium organism.
B) It directly kills the Plasmodium organism by destroying its cell wall.
C) It prevents the Plasmodium organism from entering red blood cells.
D) It stimulates the immune system to attack the Plasmodium organism.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale
Chloroquine is an antimalarial medication that works by altering the metabolic
pathways necessary for the reproduction of the Plasmodium organism.
Specifically, chloroquine interferes with the parasite's ability to metabolize
hemoglobin and detoxify heme, which is toxic to the parasite. This disruption of
metabolic processes prevents the parasite from replicating and leads to its death.
Chloroquine is effective against the erythrocytic stages of the Plasmodium
parasite, making it useful for both the treatment and prevention of malaria. It
does not directly destroy the cell wall, prevent entry into red blood cells, or
stimulate the immune system. Understanding the mechanism of action of
antimalarial medications is essential for client education and monitoring for
therapeutic effectiveness.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Pharmacology: Antimalarials
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
,A nurse practitioner provides primary care in a rural setting. Which of the
following actions should the nurse perform to minimize the emergence of drug-
resistant microorganisms?
A) Avoid the use of broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs when treating trivial or
viral infections
B) Use broad-spectrum agents for all infections to ensure coverage
C) Prescribe vancomycin as a first-line treatment for all infections
D) Encourage clients to take antibiotics only until symptoms resolve
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale
To minimize the emergence of drug-resistant microorganisms, healthcare
providers should avoid the use of broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs when
treating trivial or viral infections. Broad-spectrum antibiotics kill a wide range of
bacteria, including normal flora, which can lead to the development of resistance.
Narrow-spectrum agents should be used if they are thought to be effective for the
specific infection. Vancomycin should be reserved for serious infections caused by
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other resistant organisms
to prevent the development of vancomycin-resistant organisms. Clients should be
instructed to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, not just until
symptoms resolve. Antimicrobial stewardship programs emphasize the
importance of using the narrowest spectrum antibiotic for the shortest duration
necessary to treat the infection while minimizing the risk of resistance
development.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
TOP: Pharmacology: Antimicrobial Stewardship
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
A client taking diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, for hypertension has come to
the clinic for a follow-up appointment. Which of the following adverse effects
should the nurse assess the client for?
, A) Peripheral edema and bradycardia
B) Hypertension and tachycardia
C) Hyperglycemia and weight gain
D) Bronchospasm and hypotension
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale
Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that inhibits the influx of calcium ions into
cardiac and smooth muscle cells, leading to vasodilation and decreased cardiac
contractility. Common adverse effects of diltiazem include peripheral edema (due
to vasodilation and fluid retention) and bradycardia (due to decreased conduction
through the AV node). Other calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine, may
cause reflex tachycardia, but diltiazem is more likely to cause bradycardia.
Hyperglycemia and weight gain are not typical adverse effects of calcium channel
blockers. Bronchospasm is more commonly associated with beta-blockers. The
nurse should assess the client for signs of peripheral edema, such as swelling in
the lower extremities, and monitor the heart rate for bradycardia. Client
education should include reporting any swelling, dizziness, or unusually slow heart
rate.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
TOP: Pharmacology: Calcium Channel Blockers
MSC: NCLEX: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
What is the nurse's priority assessment before giving a female client her
prescription for an angiotensin II-receptor blocker (ARB)?
A) "When was your last menstrual period?"
B) "Have you had any difficulty breathing?"
C) "Do you have a history of kidney disease?"
D) "What is your current blood pressure?"
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale
