RN ATI Pharmacology 2026 Retake Proctored Exam | All NGN
Level 3 Study Guide 2 Versions
This professional nursing resource is a premier test bank designed for students
preparing for the RN ATI Pharmacology Content Mastery Series (CMS) Retake
Proctored Examination. It features high-yield practice questions, 100% verified
answers, and comprehensive clinical rationales meticulously aligned with the Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN) framework. Reviewing these materials will optimize your
clinical judgment regarding medication administration safety, critical drug interactions,
lab monitoring protocols, and specific antidotes to ensure a Level 3 proficiency score
on your retake assessment
QUESTION 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed levothyroxine. The client reports
palpitations, weight loss, and heat intolerance. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Administer the next dose as prescribed
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
C. Decrease the dose by half
D. Encourage the client to increase dietary iodine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Palpitations, weight loss, and heat intolerance indicate excessive thyroid
hormone levels (thyrotoxicosis) from over-replacement of levothyroxine. The nurse should
hold the medication and notify the provider for dose adjustment. Administering the next
dose (A) would worsen symptoms. Decreasing the dose (C) requires a provider order.
Increasing iodine (D) is not appropriate.
,QUESTION 2
A nurse is teaching a client who is starting methimazole for hyperthyroidism. Which of
the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication with food to reduce GI upset."
B. "Report immediately if you develop a fever or sore throat."
C. "You will need to take this medication for 7-10 days."
D. "Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Methimazole can cause agranulocytosis, a life-threatening decrease in white
blood cells. Fever and sore throat are early signs of infection and should be reported
immediately. Methimazole can be taken with or without food (A). Treatment is typically
12-18 months (C), not 7-10 days. Potassium intake (D) is not related.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is reviewing the medication list of a client taking prednisone. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Blood glucose 180 mg/dL
B. Blood pressure 118/76 mm Hg
C. Heart rate 88 bpm
D. Respiratory rate 18/min
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Prednisone is a corticosteroid that can cause hyperglycemia. A blood glucose of
180 mg/dL is elevated and should be reported. Blood pressure (B), heart rate (C), and
respiratory rate (D) are within normal limits.
,QUESTION 4
A nurse is caring for a client receiving fludrocortisone for Addison's disease. Which of
the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum calcium
C. Serum magnesium
D. Serum phosphorus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticoid that promotes sodium retention and
potassium excretion, leading to hypokalemia. Serum potassium should be monitored
closely.
QUESTION 5
A nurse is teaching a client about desmopressin. Which of the following statements by
the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will restrict my fluid intake while taking this medication."
B. "I will increase my fluid intake to prevent dehydration."
C. "I will take this medication only when I feel thirsty."
D. "I will stop taking this medication if I urinate less frequently."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Desmopressin is used for diabetes insipidus and causes water retention. Fluid
intake should be monitored and restricted to prevent hyponatremia. Increasing fluids (B)
can lead to water intoxication. Taking only when thirsty (C) is not appropriate. Stopping
(D) without provider guidance is unsafe.
, QUESTION 6
A nurse is reviewing the medication list of a client taking somatropin. Which of the
following findings indicates a therapeutic response?
A. Increased linear growth in a child
B. Decreased linear growth in a child
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Somatropin is a growth hormone used to treat growth hormone deficiency. A
therapeutic response is increased linear growth in children.
QUESTION 7
A nurse is administering octreotide to a client with acromegaly. Which of the following
findings indicates a therapeutic response?
A. Decreased growth hormone levels
B. Increased growth hormone levels
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Octreotide is a somatostatin analog used to decrease growth hormone levels in
acromegaly. A therapeutic response is decreased growth hormone levels.
Level 3 Study Guide 2 Versions
This professional nursing resource is a premier test bank designed for students
preparing for the RN ATI Pharmacology Content Mastery Series (CMS) Retake
Proctored Examination. It features high-yield practice questions, 100% verified
answers, and comprehensive clinical rationales meticulously aligned with the Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN) framework. Reviewing these materials will optimize your
clinical judgment regarding medication administration safety, critical drug interactions,
lab monitoring protocols, and specific antidotes to ensure a Level 3 proficiency score
on your retake assessment
QUESTION 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed levothyroxine. The client reports
palpitations, weight loss, and heat intolerance. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Administer the next dose as prescribed
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
C. Decrease the dose by half
D. Encourage the client to increase dietary iodine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Palpitations, weight loss, and heat intolerance indicate excessive thyroid
hormone levels (thyrotoxicosis) from over-replacement of levothyroxine. The nurse should
hold the medication and notify the provider for dose adjustment. Administering the next
dose (A) would worsen symptoms. Decreasing the dose (C) requires a provider order.
Increasing iodine (D) is not appropriate.
,QUESTION 2
A nurse is teaching a client who is starting methimazole for hyperthyroidism. Which of
the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication with food to reduce GI upset."
B. "Report immediately if you develop a fever or sore throat."
C. "You will need to take this medication for 7-10 days."
D. "Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Methimazole can cause agranulocytosis, a life-threatening decrease in white
blood cells. Fever and sore throat are early signs of infection and should be reported
immediately. Methimazole can be taken with or without food (A). Treatment is typically
12-18 months (C), not 7-10 days. Potassium intake (D) is not related.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is reviewing the medication list of a client taking prednisone. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Blood glucose 180 mg/dL
B. Blood pressure 118/76 mm Hg
C. Heart rate 88 bpm
D. Respiratory rate 18/min
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Prednisone is a corticosteroid that can cause hyperglycemia. A blood glucose of
180 mg/dL is elevated and should be reported. Blood pressure (B), heart rate (C), and
respiratory rate (D) are within normal limits.
,QUESTION 4
A nurse is caring for a client receiving fludrocortisone for Addison's disease. Which of
the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum calcium
C. Serum magnesium
D. Serum phosphorus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticoid that promotes sodium retention and
potassium excretion, leading to hypokalemia. Serum potassium should be monitored
closely.
QUESTION 5
A nurse is teaching a client about desmopressin. Which of the following statements by
the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will restrict my fluid intake while taking this medication."
B. "I will increase my fluid intake to prevent dehydration."
C. "I will take this medication only when I feel thirsty."
D. "I will stop taking this medication if I urinate less frequently."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Desmopressin is used for diabetes insipidus and causes water retention. Fluid
intake should be monitored and restricted to prevent hyponatremia. Increasing fluids (B)
can lead to water intoxication. Taking only when thirsty (C) is not appropriate. Stopping
(D) without provider guidance is unsafe.
, QUESTION 6
A nurse is reviewing the medication list of a client taking somatropin. Which of the
following findings indicates a therapeutic response?
A. Increased linear growth in a child
B. Decreased linear growth in a child
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Somatropin is a growth hormone used to treat growth hormone deficiency. A
therapeutic response is increased linear growth in children.
QUESTION 7
A nurse is administering octreotide to a client with acromegaly. Which of the following
findings indicates a therapeutic response?
A. Decreased growth hormone levels
B. Increased growth hormone levels
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Octreotide is a somatostatin analog used to decrease growth hormone levels in
acromegaly. A therapeutic response is decreased growth hormone levels.
