2026 ATI RN Pharmacology Proctored Exam Practice Test
Bank | Level 3 Master Study Guide |Original Questions &
Detailed Clinical Rationales
Secure a Level 3 proficiency rating on your proctored specialty assessment with this
comprehensive 2026 ATI RN Pharmacology master practice test bank containing
original exam-style multiple-choice questions. Master high-yield nursing
pharmacology domains, including dosage calculation safety, pharmacokinetics,
critical drug antidotes, adverse reaction profiles, and Next Generation NCLEX
(NGN) clinical judgment items. Every verified question features a highly thorough
clinical rationale to sharpen your prescriptive reasoning, eliminate testing anxiety, and
guarantee top marks on your proctored exam.
1. A nurse is preparing to administer acetaminophen to a client who has a history
of alcohol use disorder. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Do not exceed 2 grams per day."
C. "Take this medication with aspirin."
D. "This medication is safe at any dose."
B. "Do not exceed 2 grams per day."
Clients with alcohol use disorder have increased risk of hepatotoxicity from
acetaminophen. The maximum daily dose should be reduced to 2 grams to prevent liver
damage.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV acyclovir. Which finding should
the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
B. Serum creatinine of 2.5 mg/dL
C. Heart rate of 88 beats/min
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
,B. Serum creatinine of 2.5 mg/dL
Acyclovir is nephrotoxic. An elevated serum creatinine indicates renal impairment and
should be reported immediately. Adequate hydration is essential during therapy.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of alendronate. Which statement by
the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will take this medication with breakfast."
B. "I will lie down after taking this medication."
C. "I will remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking this medication."
D. "I will take this medication at bedtime."
C. "I will remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking this medication."
Alendronate can cause esophageal irritation and ulceration. Clients must remain upright
for at least 30 minutes after taking it with a full glass of water on an empty stomach.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving amphotericin B. Which finding
indicates a serious adverse effect?
A. Nausea and vomiting
B. Fever and chills
C. Serum creatinine of 3.0 mg/dL
D. Headache
C. Serum creatinine of 3.0 mg/dL
Amphotericin B is highly nephrotoxic. An elevated serum creatinine indicates renal
impairment, a serious adverse effect requiring immediate intervention.
,5. A nurse is preparing to administer atropine to a client who has symptomatic
bradycardia. Which finding should the nurse report before administering the
medication?
A. Heart rate of 52 beats/min
B. Blood pressure of 88/56 mm Hg
C. Presence of glaucoma
D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
C. Presence of glaucoma
Atropine is contraindicated in clients with narrow-angle glaucoma because it can increase
intraocular pressure. The nurse should verify the client's history before administration.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of azathioprine. Which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. "Report any signs of infection immediately."
B. "This medication has no side effects."
C. "You can receive live vaccines while taking this medication."
D. "This medication can be stopped abruptly."
A. "Report any signs of infection immediately."
Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant that increases infection risk. Clients should report
fever, sore throat, or other signs of infection immediately.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving bleomycin. Which finding should
the nurse monitor for as a priority?
A. Hypertension
B. Pulmonary fibrosis
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bradycardia
B. Pulmonary fibrosis
, Bleomycin is an antineoplastic agent that can cause pulmonary fibrosis. Clients should be
monitored for dyspnea, cough, and changes in pulmonary function tests.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of bupropion. Which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. "This medication can cause seizures at high doses."
B. "This medication has no side effects."
C. "This medication can be taken with MAOIs."
D. "This medication is safe during pregnancy."
A. "This medication can cause seizures at high doses."
Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold. Clients should be advised not to exceed the
prescribed dose and to report any seizure activity immediately.
9. A nurse is preparing to administer calcitonin to a client. Which route is
appropriate for this medication?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous or intramuscular
C. Intravenous bolus
D. Topical
B. Subcutaneous or intramuscular
Calcitonin is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. It is used for osteoporosis,
Paget disease, and hypercalcemia.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving carboplatin. Which finding should
the nurse report to the provider?
Bank | Level 3 Master Study Guide |Original Questions &
Detailed Clinical Rationales
Secure a Level 3 proficiency rating on your proctored specialty assessment with this
comprehensive 2026 ATI RN Pharmacology master practice test bank containing
original exam-style multiple-choice questions. Master high-yield nursing
pharmacology domains, including dosage calculation safety, pharmacokinetics,
critical drug antidotes, adverse reaction profiles, and Next Generation NCLEX
(NGN) clinical judgment items. Every verified question features a highly thorough
clinical rationale to sharpen your prescriptive reasoning, eliminate testing anxiety, and
guarantee top marks on your proctored exam.
1. A nurse is preparing to administer acetaminophen to a client who has a history
of alcohol use disorder. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Do not exceed 2 grams per day."
C. "Take this medication with aspirin."
D. "This medication is safe at any dose."
B. "Do not exceed 2 grams per day."
Clients with alcohol use disorder have increased risk of hepatotoxicity from
acetaminophen. The maximum daily dose should be reduced to 2 grams to prevent liver
damage.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV acyclovir. Which finding should
the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
B. Serum creatinine of 2.5 mg/dL
C. Heart rate of 88 beats/min
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
,B. Serum creatinine of 2.5 mg/dL
Acyclovir is nephrotoxic. An elevated serum creatinine indicates renal impairment and
should be reported immediately. Adequate hydration is essential during therapy.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of alendronate. Which statement by
the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will take this medication with breakfast."
B. "I will lie down after taking this medication."
C. "I will remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking this medication."
D. "I will take this medication at bedtime."
C. "I will remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking this medication."
Alendronate can cause esophageal irritation and ulceration. Clients must remain upright
for at least 30 minutes after taking it with a full glass of water on an empty stomach.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving amphotericin B. Which finding
indicates a serious adverse effect?
A. Nausea and vomiting
B. Fever and chills
C. Serum creatinine of 3.0 mg/dL
D. Headache
C. Serum creatinine of 3.0 mg/dL
Amphotericin B is highly nephrotoxic. An elevated serum creatinine indicates renal
impairment, a serious adverse effect requiring immediate intervention.
,5. A nurse is preparing to administer atropine to a client who has symptomatic
bradycardia. Which finding should the nurse report before administering the
medication?
A. Heart rate of 52 beats/min
B. Blood pressure of 88/56 mm Hg
C. Presence of glaucoma
D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
C. Presence of glaucoma
Atropine is contraindicated in clients with narrow-angle glaucoma because it can increase
intraocular pressure. The nurse should verify the client's history before administration.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of azathioprine. Which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. "Report any signs of infection immediately."
B. "This medication has no side effects."
C. "You can receive live vaccines while taking this medication."
D. "This medication can be stopped abruptly."
A. "Report any signs of infection immediately."
Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant that increases infection risk. Clients should report
fever, sore throat, or other signs of infection immediately.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving bleomycin. Which finding should
the nurse monitor for as a priority?
A. Hypertension
B. Pulmonary fibrosis
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bradycardia
B. Pulmonary fibrosis
, Bleomycin is an antineoplastic agent that can cause pulmonary fibrosis. Clients should be
monitored for dyspnea, cough, and changes in pulmonary function tests.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of bupropion. Which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. "This medication can cause seizures at high doses."
B. "This medication has no side effects."
C. "This medication can be taken with MAOIs."
D. "This medication is safe during pregnancy."
A. "This medication can cause seizures at high doses."
Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold. Clients should be advised not to exceed the
prescribed dose and to report any seizure activity immediately.
9. A nurse is preparing to administer calcitonin to a client. Which route is
appropriate for this medication?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous or intramuscular
C. Intravenous bolus
D. Topical
B. Subcutaneous or intramuscular
Calcitonin is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. It is used for osteoporosis,
Paget disease, and hypercalcemia.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving carboplatin. Which finding should
the nurse report to the provider?
