ATI Pharmacology Examination With
Actual Questions And Correct
Answers Updated Rationales
2026/2027 Instant Downloaded PDF.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed lisinopril.
Which finding should the nurse recognize as a possible adverse
effect of this medication?
A. Constipation
B. Dry cough
C. Increased appetite
D. Urinary retention
Correct Answer: B. Dry cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril can cause a
persistent dry cough due to increased bradykinin levels.
2. A nurse is teaching a client who is taking warfarin. Which food
should the nurse instruct the client to consume consistently?
A. Spinach
B. Grapefruit
C. White rice
D. Apples
Correct Answer: A. Spinach
,Rationale: Spinach is high in vitamin K, which can reduce the
effectiveness of warfarin. Clients should maintain a consistent
intake of vitamin K rather than abruptly increasing or decreasing
it.
3. A nurse is administering digoxin to an older adult client. Which
finding should prompt the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Apical pulse of 56/min
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Blood pressure of 128/72 mm Hg
D. Temperature of 37.0°C (98.6°F)
Correct Answer: A. Apical pulse of 56/min
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should
generally withhold digoxin when the adult client's apical pulse is
below 60/min and notify the provider according to facility
guidelines.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about insulin lispro. When should
the client administer this medication?
A. 30 minutes before a meal
B. 1 hour after a meal
C. Immediately before or soon after starting a meal
D. At bedtime only
Correct Answer: C. Immediately before or soon after starting a
meal
,Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin that begins
working quickly and is administered close to mealtime.
5. A client receiving morphine reports difficulty breathing. Which
finding requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
B. Heart rate of 82/min
C. Blood pressure of 124/76 mm Hg
D. Temperature of 36.8°C (98.2°F)
Correct Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a serious adverse effect of
opioids. A respiratory rate of 8/min indicates significant
depression and requires immediate intervention.
6. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering
to a client experiencing opioid-induced respiratory depression?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Vitamin K
D. Protamine sulfate
Correct Answer: A. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse
opioid-induced respiratory depression and other opioid effects.
, 7. A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed
furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse
monitor for?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urinary
potassium excretion, placing the client at risk for hypokalemia.
8. A client taking spironolactone asks which food should be
limited. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
A. Bananas
B. Apples
C. White bread
D. Pasta
Correct Answer: A. Bananas
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. High-
potassium foods such as bananas can increase the risk of
hyperkalemia.
9. A nurse is administering heparin to a client. Which laboratory
value is commonly used to monitor unfractionated heparin
therapy?
Actual Questions And Correct
Answers Updated Rationales
2026/2027 Instant Downloaded PDF.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed lisinopril.
Which finding should the nurse recognize as a possible adverse
effect of this medication?
A. Constipation
B. Dry cough
C. Increased appetite
D. Urinary retention
Correct Answer: B. Dry cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril can cause a
persistent dry cough due to increased bradykinin levels.
2. A nurse is teaching a client who is taking warfarin. Which food
should the nurse instruct the client to consume consistently?
A. Spinach
B. Grapefruit
C. White rice
D. Apples
Correct Answer: A. Spinach
,Rationale: Spinach is high in vitamin K, which can reduce the
effectiveness of warfarin. Clients should maintain a consistent
intake of vitamin K rather than abruptly increasing or decreasing
it.
3. A nurse is administering digoxin to an older adult client. Which
finding should prompt the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Apical pulse of 56/min
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Blood pressure of 128/72 mm Hg
D. Temperature of 37.0°C (98.6°F)
Correct Answer: A. Apical pulse of 56/min
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should
generally withhold digoxin when the adult client's apical pulse is
below 60/min and notify the provider according to facility
guidelines.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about insulin lispro. When should
the client administer this medication?
A. 30 minutes before a meal
B. 1 hour after a meal
C. Immediately before or soon after starting a meal
D. At bedtime only
Correct Answer: C. Immediately before or soon after starting a
meal
,Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin that begins
working quickly and is administered close to mealtime.
5. A client receiving morphine reports difficulty breathing. Which
finding requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
B. Heart rate of 82/min
C. Blood pressure of 124/76 mm Hg
D. Temperature of 36.8°C (98.2°F)
Correct Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a serious adverse effect of
opioids. A respiratory rate of 8/min indicates significant
depression and requires immediate intervention.
6. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering
to a client experiencing opioid-induced respiratory depression?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Vitamin K
D. Protamine sulfate
Correct Answer: A. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse
opioid-induced respiratory depression and other opioid effects.
, 7. A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed
furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse
monitor for?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urinary
potassium excretion, placing the client at risk for hypokalemia.
8. A client taking spironolactone asks which food should be
limited. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
A. Bananas
B. Apples
C. White bread
D. Pasta
Correct Answer: A. Bananas
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. High-
potassium foods such as bananas can increase the risk of
hyperkalemia.
9. A nurse is administering heparin to a client. Which laboratory
value is commonly used to monitor unfractionated heparin
therapy?
