ATI Pharmacology Final Exam Version 3 Practice 2026
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
of the following laboratory values should the nurse check to minimize the risk of
digoxin toxicity?
A. Serum sodium level
B. Serum calcium level
C. Serum potassium level
D. Serum magnesium level
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) significantly increases the risk of digoxin toxicity.
The nurse must monitor potassium levels closely while the client is on digoxin.
2. A client is prescribed albuterol via metered-dose inhaler for asthma. Which of
the following side effects should the nurse instruct the client to monitor for?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Tachycardia
D. Drowsiness
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a beta2-adrenergic agonist that can cause sympathomimetic effects,
including tachycardia, tremors, and palpitations.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder.
Which of the following electrolyte imbalances should the nurse monitor for to
prevent lithium toxicity?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypomagnesemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Lithium is a salt, and its excretion is closely linked to sodium. Low sodium
levels (hyponatremia) can lead to lithium retention and toxicity.
4. A client has an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of 5.0 while taking
warfarin. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect the
provider to prescribe?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Enoxaparin
D. Calcium gluconate
Answer: A
Rationale: Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin overdose or an excessively high INR to
promote the synthesis of clotting factors.
5. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving a heparin infusion for a deep vein
thrombosis. Which laboratory value should be used to adjust the dosage?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. Platelet count
C. Prothrombin time (PT)
D. Hemoglobin levels
Answer: A
, Rationale: The aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness and safety of heparin therapy,
with a therapeutic range typically 1.5 to 2.5 times the control.
6. A client is prescribed furosemide for pulmonary edema. The nurse should
instruct the client to increase the intake of which of the following?
A. Bananas and orange juice
B. Milk and cheese
C. White bread and pasta
D. Canned soups and processed meats
Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting. Clients should
increase potassium-rich foods like bananas and orange juice to prevent hypokalemia.
7. A client is experiencing chest pain and is ordered sublingual nitroglycerin.
What is the correct procedure for administration?
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
B. Crush the tablet and mix with applesauce
C. Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing
D. Place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve
Answer: D
Rationale: Sublingual tablets are placed under the tongue to bypass first-pass metabolism
in the liver and provide rapid relief of angina.
8. A nurse is reviewing the medication record of a client with a history of
asthma. Which of the following medications should the nurse question?
A. Metoprolol
B. Propranolol
C. Amlodipine
D. Lisinopril
Answer: B
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
of the following laboratory values should the nurse check to minimize the risk of
digoxin toxicity?
A. Serum sodium level
B. Serum calcium level
C. Serum potassium level
D. Serum magnesium level
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) significantly increases the risk of digoxin toxicity.
The nurse must monitor potassium levels closely while the client is on digoxin.
2. A client is prescribed albuterol via metered-dose inhaler for asthma. Which of
the following side effects should the nurse instruct the client to monitor for?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Tachycardia
D. Drowsiness
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a beta2-adrenergic agonist that can cause sympathomimetic effects,
including tachycardia, tremors, and palpitations.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder.
Which of the following electrolyte imbalances should the nurse monitor for to
prevent lithium toxicity?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypomagnesemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Lithium is a salt, and its excretion is closely linked to sodium. Low sodium
levels (hyponatremia) can lead to lithium retention and toxicity.
4. A client has an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of 5.0 while taking
warfarin. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect the
provider to prescribe?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Enoxaparin
D. Calcium gluconate
Answer: A
Rationale: Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin overdose or an excessively high INR to
promote the synthesis of clotting factors.
5. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving a heparin infusion for a deep vein
thrombosis. Which laboratory value should be used to adjust the dosage?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. Platelet count
C. Prothrombin time (PT)
D. Hemoglobin levels
Answer: A
, Rationale: The aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness and safety of heparin therapy,
with a therapeutic range typically 1.5 to 2.5 times the control.
6. A client is prescribed furosemide for pulmonary edema. The nurse should
instruct the client to increase the intake of which of the following?
A. Bananas and orange juice
B. Milk and cheese
C. White bread and pasta
D. Canned soups and processed meats
Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting. Clients should
increase potassium-rich foods like bananas and orange juice to prevent hypokalemia.
7. A client is experiencing chest pain and is ordered sublingual nitroglycerin.
What is the correct procedure for administration?
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
B. Crush the tablet and mix with applesauce
C. Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing
D. Place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve
Answer: D
Rationale: Sublingual tablets are placed under the tongue to bypass first-pass metabolism
in the liver and provide rapid relief of angina.
8. A nurse is reviewing the medication record of a client with a history of
asthma. Which of the following medications should the nurse question?
A. Metoprolol
B. Propranolol
C. Amlodipine
D. Lisinopril
Answer: B
