QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED 2024
LATEST
A home health nurse is visiting an older adult client who has Alzheimer's disease. His caregiver tells the
nurse she has been administering prescribed Lorazepam, 1 mg three times per day, to the client for
restlessness and anxiety during the past few days. For which of the following adverse effects should the
nurse assess the client?
A. low-grade fever
B. sedation
C. diuresis
D. tonic-clonic seizures - ansB. sedation
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine with anti-anxiety and sedative effects. Older adult clients, especially, are
at risk for central nervous system depression even with low doses of benzodiazepines. Clients who are 50
years or older can have a more profound and prolonged sedation than younger clients.
A hospice nurse is caring for a client who has cancer and is taking naproxen 250 mg three times daily PO
and gabapentin 1,800 mg three times daily PO to manage pain. The client tells the nurse, "I'm having pain
that keeps me from doing what I'd like most of the time." Which of the following additions should the nurse
anticipate to the client's medication regimen?
A. oral meperidine
B. parenteral naloxone
C. parenteral diazepam
D. oral oxycodone - ansD. oral oxycodone
The client's current pain regimen consists of a nonopioid analgesic, naproxen, and an adjuvant
medication for neuropathic pain, gabapentin. According to the WHO analgesic ladder for cancer pain
management, the next addition to the pain regimen is an opioid for moderate pain. Oxycodone is an oral
opioid that relieves moderate to moderately severe pain; therefore, it is an appropriate choice to add to
the client's pain regimen.
A nurse in an outpatient facility is assessing a client who is prescribed furosemide 40 mg daily, but the
client reports that she has been taking extra doses to promote weight loss. Which of the following findings
should indicate to the nurse that the client is dehydrated?
A. urine specific gravity 1.035
B. distended neck veins
C. BUN 18 mg/dL
D. bounding radial pulse - ansA. urine specific gravity 1.035
Oliguria, increased urine concentration, and an increase in urine specific gravity greater than 1.030 are
expected findings in clients who are dehydrated.
A nurse is administering Adenosine via IV bolus for a client who has developed paroxysmal atrial
tachycardia. For which of the following findings should the nurse assess the client during administration of
Adenosine?
A. seizures
B. cinchonism
C. dyspnea
D. transient pallor of the face - ansC. dyspnea
Dyspnea can occur during administration of adenosine due to bronchoconstriction. Since adenosine has a
very short half-life of about 10 seconds, this effect should be short-lived.
,QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED 2024
LATEST
A nurse is administering Ciprofloxacin and Phenazopyridine to a client who has a severe urinary tract
infection [UTI]. The client asks why both medications are needed. Which of the following responses
should the nurse make?
A. phenazopyridine decreases adverse effects of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride
B. combining phenazopyridine with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride shortens the course of therapy.
C. the use of phenazopyridine allows for a lower dosage of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride
D. ciprofloxacin hydrochloride treats the infection, and the phenazopyridine treats pain - ansD.
ciprofloxacin hydrochloride treats the infection, and the phenazopyridine treats pain
Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride is a broad-spectrum quinolone antibiotic and phenazopyridine is a bladder
analgesic/anesthetic that relieves burning and pain in the bladder mucosa caused by bladder spasm and
inflammation.
A nurse is administering insulin glulisine 10 units subcutaneously at 0720 to an adolescent client who has
type 1 diabetes mellitus. The nurse should anticipate onset of action of the insulin at which of the
following times?
A. 0800
B. 0745
C. 0900
D. 1030 - ansB. 0745
Insulin glulisine has a very short onset of action of 15 min. The nurse should expect the onset of action
around 0745 and ensure the client eats breakfast immediately following administration of the insulin.
A nurse is administering oral hydroxyzine to a client. Which of the following adverse effects should the
nurse instruct the client to expect?
A. diarrhea
B. anxiety
C. nausea and vomiting
D. dry mouth - ansD. dry mouth
Hydroxyzine has anticholinergic properties. Dry mouth is a common adverse effect of this medication. The
nurse should instruct the client to take sips of water or suck hard candies to minimize this effect.
A nurse is administering subQ epinephrine for a client who is experiencing anaphylaxis.
The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?
a. Hypotension
b. Hyperthermia
c. Hypoglycemia
d. Tachycardia - ansd. Tachycardia
A nurse is administering subQ heparin to a client who is at risk for DVT. Which of the following should the
nurse take?
a. Administer the medication into the client's abdomen
b. Inject the medication into a muscle
c. Massage the site after administering the medication
d. Use a 22 gauge needle to administer the medication - ansa. Administer the medication into the client's
abdomen
,QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED 2024
LATEST
A nurse is assessing a client who has a new prescription for chlorpromazine to treat schizophrenia. The
client has a mask like facial expression and is experiencing involuntary movements and tremors. Which of
the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering?
a. Amantadine
b. Bupropion (aytpical antidepressant)
c. Phenelzine (MAOI)
d. Hydroxyzine (Antihistamine) - ansa. Amantadine
A nurse is assessing a client who has hypothyroidism and takes Levothyroxine. Which of the following
findings should alert the nurse that the client is experiencing acute Levothyroxine overdose?
A. bradycardia
B. cold intolerance
C. tremor
D. hypothermia - ansC. tremor
Tremor and anxiety are expected findings in acute levothyroxine overdose. These findings are similar to
those seen in hyperthyroidism.
A nurse is assessing a client who has oral Theophylline for relief of chronic bronchitis. The nurse should
recognize that which of the following findings indicates toxicity to Theophylline?
A. constipation
B. tremors
C. fatigue
D. bradycardia - ansB. tremors
Theophylline is a xanthine derivative bronchodilator. An early manifestation of toxicity is CNS stimulation,
often seen as tremors. Seizures can occur if blood levels continue to rise.
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving IV gentamicin 3 x daily. Which of the following findings
indicates that the client is experiencing an adverse effect of this medication?
a. Hypoglycemia
b. Proteinuria
c. Nasal congestion
d. Visual disturbances - ansb. Proteinuria
A nurse is assessing a client who reports using several herbal and vitamin supplements daily, including
saw palmetto. The nurse should recognize that saw palmetto is a supplement used by clients to elicit
which of the following therapeutic effects
A. urinary health promotion
B. immune system stimulation
C. decreased leg pain from arterial disease
D. prevention of nausea caused by motion sickness - ansA. urinary health promotion
Saw palmetto is used primarily for manifestations related to prostatic conditions, such as benign prostatic
hypertrophy (BPH). Its effectiveness has not been scientifically proven, however. The nurse should teach
the client to check with the provider about interactions between saw palmetto and other medications.
A nurse is caring for a client and realizes after administering the 0900 medications that she administered
digoxin 0.25 mg PO to the client instead of the prescribed digoxin 0.125 mg PO. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
, QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED 2024
LATEST
A. notify the provider
B. contact the nursing supervisor
C. assess the client's apical pulse
D. complete an incident report - ansC. assess the client's apical pulse
Caring for this client requires application of the nursing process priority-setting framework. The nurse can
use the nursing process to plan client care and prioritize nursing actions. Each step of the nursing
process builds on the previous step, beginning with assessment. Before the nurse can formulate a plan of
action, implement a nursing intervention, or notify a provider about a change in the client's status, she
must first collect adequate data from the client. Assessing will provide the nurse with knowledge to make
an appropriate decision. Therefore, the first action the nurse should take is to assess the client.
A nurse is caring for a client who had a new prescription for enalapril. The nurse should monitor the client
for which of the following adverse effects of this medication?
a. Ecchymosis
b. Jaundice
c. Hypotension
d. Hypokalemia - ansc. Hypotension
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of oral candidiasis after taking tetracycline for 7
days. The nurse should recognize that candidiasis is a manifestation of which of the following adverse
effects?
a. Allergic response
b. Superinfection
c. Renal toxicity
d. Hepatotoxicity - ansb. Superinfection
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for amphotericin B. The nurse should plan to
monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?
a. Hyperkalemia
b. Hypertension
c. Constipation
d. Nephrotoxicity - ansd. Nephrotoxicity
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for ergotamine. The nurse should recognize that
ergotamine is administered to treat which of the following conditions?
a. Raynaud's phenomenon
b. Migraine headaches
c. Ulcerative colitis
d. Anemia - ansb. Migraine headaches
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for tamoxifen. The nurse should recognize that
tamoxifen has which of the following therapeutic effects?
a. Antiestrogenic
b. Antimicrobial
c. Androgenic
d. Anti-inflammatory - ansa. Antiestrogenic
A nurse is caring for a client who has a positive tuberculin skin test and is beginning a prescription for
Isoniazid. The nurse should teach the client that which of the following laboratory values should be
monitored while taking Isoniazid?
A. thyroid stimulating hormone level
LATEST
A home health nurse is visiting an older adult client who has Alzheimer's disease. His caregiver tells the
nurse she has been administering prescribed Lorazepam, 1 mg three times per day, to the client for
restlessness and anxiety during the past few days. For which of the following adverse effects should the
nurse assess the client?
A. low-grade fever
B. sedation
C. diuresis
D. tonic-clonic seizures - ansB. sedation
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine with anti-anxiety and sedative effects. Older adult clients, especially, are
at risk for central nervous system depression even with low doses of benzodiazepines. Clients who are 50
years or older can have a more profound and prolonged sedation than younger clients.
A hospice nurse is caring for a client who has cancer and is taking naproxen 250 mg three times daily PO
and gabapentin 1,800 mg three times daily PO to manage pain. The client tells the nurse, "I'm having pain
that keeps me from doing what I'd like most of the time." Which of the following additions should the nurse
anticipate to the client's medication regimen?
A. oral meperidine
B. parenteral naloxone
C. parenteral diazepam
D. oral oxycodone - ansD. oral oxycodone
The client's current pain regimen consists of a nonopioid analgesic, naproxen, and an adjuvant
medication for neuropathic pain, gabapentin. According to the WHO analgesic ladder for cancer pain
management, the next addition to the pain regimen is an opioid for moderate pain. Oxycodone is an oral
opioid that relieves moderate to moderately severe pain; therefore, it is an appropriate choice to add to
the client's pain regimen.
A nurse in an outpatient facility is assessing a client who is prescribed furosemide 40 mg daily, but the
client reports that she has been taking extra doses to promote weight loss. Which of the following findings
should indicate to the nurse that the client is dehydrated?
A. urine specific gravity 1.035
B. distended neck veins
C. BUN 18 mg/dL
D. bounding radial pulse - ansA. urine specific gravity 1.035
Oliguria, increased urine concentration, and an increase in urine specific gravity greater than 1.030 are
expected findings in clients who are dehydrated.
A nurse is administering Adenosine via IV bolus for a client who has developed paroxysmal atrial
tachycardia. For which of the following findings should the nurse assess the client during administration of
Adenosine?
A. seizures
B. cinchonism
C. dyspnea
D. transient pallor of the face - ansC. dyspnea
Dyspnea can occur during administration of adenosine due to bronchoconstriction. Since adenosine has a
very short half-life of about 10 seconds, this effect should be short-lived.
,QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED 2024
LATEST
A nurse is administering Ciprofloxacin and Phenazopyridine to a client who has a severe urinary tract
infection [UTI]. The client asks why both medications are needed. Which of the following responses
should the nurse make?
A. phenazopyridine decreases adverse effects of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride
B. combining phenazopyridine with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride shortens the course of therapy.
C. the use of phenazopyridine allows for a lower dosage of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride
D. ciprofloxacin hydrochloride treats the infection, and the phenazopyridine treats pain - ansD.
ciprofloxacin hydrochloride treats the infection, and the phenazopyridine treats pain
Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride is a broad-spectrum quinolone antibiotic and phenazopyridine is a bladder
analgesic/anesthetic that relieves burning and pain in the bladder mucosa caused by bladder spasm and
inflammation.
A nurse is administering insulin glulisine 10 units subcutaneously at 0720 to an adolescent client who has
type 1 diabetes mellitus. The nurse should anticipate onset of action of the insulin at which of the
following times?
A. 0800
B. 0745
C. 0900
D. 1030 - ansB. 0745
Insulin glulisine has a very short onset of action of 15 min. The nurse should expect the onset of action
around 0745 and ensure the client eats breakfast immediately following administration of the insulin.
A nurse is administering oral hydroxyzine to a client. Which of the following adverse effects should the
nurse instruct the client to expect?
A. diarrhea
B. anxiety
C. nausea and vomiting
D. dry mouth - ansD. dry mouth
Hydroxyzine has anticholinergic properties. Dry mouth is a common adverse effect of this medication. The
nurse should instruct the client to take sips of water or suck hard candies to minimize this effect.
A nurse is administering subQ epinephrine for a client who is experiencing anaphylaxis.
The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?
a. Hypotension
b. Hyperthermia
c. Hypoglycemia
d. Tachycardia - ansd. Tachycardia
A nurse is administering subQ heparin to a client who is at risk for DVT. Which of the following should the
nurse take?
a. Administer the medication into the client's abdomen
b. Inject the medication into a muscle
c. Massage the site after administering the medication
d. Use a 22 gauge needle to administer the medication - ansa. Administer the medication into the client's
abdomen
,QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED 2024
LATEST
A nurse is assessing a client who has a new prescription for chlorpromazine to treat schizophrenia. The
client has a mask like facial expression and is experiencing involuntary movements and tremors. Which of
the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering?
a. Amantadine
b. Bupropion (aytpical antidepressant)
c. Phenelzine (MAOI)
d. Hydroxyzine (Antihistamine) - ansa. Amantadine
A nurse is assessing a client who has hypothyroidism and takes Levothyroxine. Which of the following
findings should alert the nurse that the client is experiencing acute Levothyroxine overdose?
A. bradycardia
B. cold intolerance
C. tremor
D. hypothermia - ansC. tremor
Tremor and anxiety are expected findings in acute levothyroxine overdose. These findings are similar to
those seen in hyperthyroidism.
A nurse is assessing a client who has oral Theophylline for relief of chronic bronchitis. The nurse should
recognize that which of the following findings indicates toxicity to Theophylline?
A. constipation
B. tremors
C. fatigue
D. bradycardia - ansB. tremors
Theophylline is a xanthine derivative bronchodilator. An early manifestation of toxicity is CNS stimulation,
often seen as tremors. Seizures can occur if blood levels continue to rise.
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving IV gentamicin 3 x daily. Which of the following findings
indicates that the client is experiencing an adverse effect of this medication?
a. Hypoglycemia
b. Proteinuria
c. Nasal congestion
d. Visual disturbances - ansb. Proteinuria
A nurse is assessing a client who reports using several herbal and vitamin supplements daily, including
saw palmetto. The nurse should recognize that saw palmetto is a supplement used by clients to elicit
which of the following therapeutic effects
A. urinary health promotion
B. immune system stimulation
C. decreased leg pain from arterial disease
D. prevention of nausea caused by motion sickness - ansA. urinary health promotion
Saw palmetto is used primarily for manifestations related to prostatic conditions, such as benign prostatic
hypertrophy (BPH). Its effectiveness has not been scientifically proven, however. The nurse should teach
the client to check with the provider about interactions between saw palmetto and other medications.
A nurse is caring for a client and realizes after administering the 0900 medications that she administered
digoxin 0.25 mg PO to the client instead of the prescribed digoxin 0.125 mg PO. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
, QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED 2024
LATEST
A. notify the provider
B. contact the nursing supervisor
C. assess the client's apical pulse
D. complete an incident report - ansC. assess the client's apical pulse
Caring for this client requires application of the nursing process priority-setting framework. The nurse can
use the nursing process to plan client care and prioritize nursing actions. Each step of the nursing
process builds on the previous step, beginning with assessment. Before the nurse can formulate a plan of
action, implement a nursing intervention, or notify a provider about a change in the client's status, she
must first collect adequate data from the client. Assessing will provide the nurse with knowledge to make
an appropriate decision. Therefore, the first action the nurse should take is to assess the client.
A nurse is caring for a client who had a new prescription for enalapril. The nurse should monitor the client
for which of the following adverse effects of this medication?
a. Ecchymosis
b. Jaundice
c. Hypotension
d. Hypokalemia - ansc. Hypotension
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of oral candidiasis after taking tetracycline for 7
days. The nurse should recognize that candidiasis is a manifestation of which of the following adverse
effects?
a. Allergic response
b. Superinfection
c. Renal toxicity
d. Hepatotoxicity - ansb. Superinfection
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for amphotericin B. The nurse should plan to
monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?
a. Hyperkalemia
b. Hypertension
c. Constipation
d. Nephrotoxicity - ansd. Nephrotoxicity
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for ergotamine. The nurse should recognize that
ergotamine is administered to treat which of the following conditions?
a. Raynaud's phenomenon
b. Migraine headaches
c. Ulcerative colitis
d. Anemia - ansb. Migraine headaches
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for tamoxifen. The nurse should recognize that
tamoxifen has which of the following therapeutic effects?
a. Antiestrogenic
b. Antimicrobial
c. Androgenic
d. Anti-inflammatory - ansa. Antiestrogenic
A nurse is caring for a client who has a positive tuberculin skin test and is beginning a prescription for
Isoniazid. The nurse should teach the client that which of the following laboratory values should be
monitored while taking Isoniazid?
A. thyroid stimulating hormone level
