ATI PHARMACOLOGY CMS PRACTICE EXAM WITH
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES
2026/2027
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is taking lisinopril. Which finding
should the nurse identify as an adverse effect requiring immediate
intervention?
A. Mild headache
B. Dry cough
C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
D. Increased urination
<i>Rationale: Swelling of the lips and tongue can indicate angioedema, a
potentially life-threatening reaction to an ACE inhibitor. The medication
should be withheld and emergency treatment initiated.</i>
2. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin.
Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. "I should avoid all foods containing vitamin K."
B. "I can take aspirin whenever I have a headache."
C. "I should keep my intake of vitamin K-containing foods consistent."
D. "I will stop taking the medication if I notice bruising."
<i>Rationale: Clients taking warfarin should maintain a consistent intake
of vitamin K rather than eliminating it. Sudden changes can alter the
anticoagulant effect.</i>
3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving digoxin. Which laboratory value is
most important for the nurse to monitor?
,A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Chloride
<i>Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity.
Potassium levels should be monitored closely, especially when the client
also receives a diuretic.</i>
4. A client receiving furosemide reports muscle weakness and leg cramps.
Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
<i>Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium
loss. Muscle weakness and cramps are manifestations of
hypokalemia.</i>
5. A nurse is administering insulin lispro to a client with diabetes mellitus.
When should the nurse administer the medication?
A. One hour before meals
B. At bedtime
C. Two hours after meals
D. Immediately before a meal
<i>Rationale: Insulin lispro is rapid-acting and should generally be
administered immediately before meals so that its action corresponds
with food intake.</i>
,6. A nurse is teaching a client who takes metformin. Which instruction is
appropriate?
A. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
B. Take the medication with meals to reduce gastrointestinal effects.
C. Stop the medication whenever blood glucose improves.
D. Double the next dose if a dose is missed.
<i>Rationale: Taking metformin with meals helps decrease
gastrointestinal adverse effects such as nausea and diarrhea.</i>
7. A client taking levothyroxine asks when the medication should be
taken. Which response should the nurse give?
A. "Take it with your evening meal."
B. "Take it only when symptoms occur."
C. "Take it in the morning on an empty stomach."
D. "Take it with an iron supplement."
<i>Rationale: Levothyroxine is best absorbed when taken consistently on
an empty stomach, commonly in the morning. Calcium and iron can
decrease absorption.</i>
8. A nurse is assessing a client who received morphine. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Constipation
B. Nausea
C. Pruritus
D. Respiratory rate of 8/min
<i>Rationale: Respiratory depression is a serious adverse effect of
opioids. A respiratory rate of 8/min requires immediate intervention,
including preparation to administer naloxone as prescribed.</i>
, 9. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer to reverse
severe opioid-induced respiratory depression?
A. Flumazenil
B. Acetylcysteine
C. Atropine
D. Naloxone
<i>Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-
induced respiratory and central nervous system depression.</i>
10. A nurse is teaching a client who takes alendronate. Which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. Take it immediately before bedtime.
B. Take it with milk.
C. Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking it.
D. Crush the tablet before swallowing.
<i>Rationale: Alendronate can irritate the esophagus. The client should
take it with plain water and remain upright for at least 30 minutes.</i>
11. A client taking atorvastatin reports unexplained muscle pain and
weakness. What should the nurse do?
A. Reassure the client that this is expected.
B. Encourage strenuous exercise.
C. Notify the provider about possible myopathy.
D. Administer the next dose with grapefruit juice.
<i>Rationale: Muscle pain or weakness can indicate statin-associated
myopathy or rhabdomyolysis and should be reported promptly.</i>
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES
2026/2027
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is taking lisinopril. Which finding
should the nurse identify as an adverse effect requiring immediate
intervention?
A. Mild headache
B. Dry cough
C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
D. Increased urination
<i>Rationale: Swelling of the lips and tongue can indicate angioedema, a
potentially life-threatening reaction to an ACE inhibitor. The medication
should be withheld and emergency treatment initiated.</i>
2. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin.
Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. "I should avoid all foods containing vitamin K."
B. "I can take aspirin whenever I have a headache."
C. "I should keep my intake of vitamin K-containing foods consistent."
D. "I will stop taking the medication if I notice bruising."
<i>Rationale: Clients taking warfarin should maintain a consistent intake
of vitamin K rather than eliminating it. Sudden changes can alter the
anticoagulant effect.</i>
3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving digoxin. Which laboratory value is
most important for the nurse to monitor?
,A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Chloride
<i>Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity.
Potassium levels should be monitored closely, especially when the client
also receives a diuretic.</i>
4. A client receiving furosemide reports muscle weakness and leg cramps.
Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
<i>Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium
loss. Muscle weakness and cramps are manifestations of
hypokalemia.</i>
5. A nurse is administering insulin lispro to a client with diabetes mellitus.
When should the nurse administer the medication?
A. One hour before meals
B. At bedtime
C. Two hours after meals
D. Immediately before a meal
<i>Rationale: Insulin lispro is rapid-acting and should generally be
administered immediately before meals so that its action corresponds
with food intake.</i>
,6. A nurse is teaching a client who takes metformin. Which instruction is
appropriate?
A. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
B. Take the medication with meals to reduce gastrointestinal effects.
C. Stop the medication whenever blood glucose improves.
D. Double the next dose if a dose is missed.
<i>Rationale: Taking metformin with meals helps decrease
gastrointestinal adverse effects such as nausea and diarrhea.</i>
7. A client taking levothyroxine asks when the medication should be
taken. Which response should the nurse give?
A. "Take it with your evening meal."
B. "Take it only when symptoms occur."
C. "Take it in the morning on an empty stomach."
D. "Take it with an iron supplement."
<i>Rationale: Levothyroxine is best absorbed when taken consistently on
an empty stomach, commonly in the morning. Calcium and iron can
decrease absorption.</i>
8. A nurse is assessing a client who received morphine. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Constipation
B. Nausea
C. Pruritus
D. Respiratory rate of 8/min
<i>Rationale: Respiratory depression is a serious adverse effect of
opioids. A respiratory rate of 8/min requires immediate intervention,
including preparation to administer naloxone as prescribed.</i>
, 9. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer to reverse
severe opioid-induced respiratory depression?
A. Flumazenil
B. Acetylcysteine
C. Atropine
D. Naloxone
<i>Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-
induced respiratory and central nervous system depression.</i>
10. A nurse is teaching a client who takes alendronate. Which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. Take it immediately before bedtime.
B. Take it with milk.
C. Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking it.
D. Crush the tablet before swallowing.
<i>Rationale: Alendronate can irritate the esophagus. The client should
take it with plain water and remain upright for at least 30 minutes.</i>
11. A client taking atorvastatin reports unexplained muscle pain and
weakness. What should the nurse do?
A. Reassure the client that this is expected.
B. Encourage strenuous exercise.
C. Notify the provider about possible myopathy.
D. Administer the next dose with grapefruit juice.
<i>Rationale: Muscle pain or weakness can indicate statin-associated
myopathy or rhabdomyolysis and should be reported promptly.</i>
