Drug Classifications Pharm ATI/ ATI LPN
Pharmacology Proctored Exam Review -
2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide &
NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
|Grade A (100% Correct Elaborations)
1) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the client's serum
calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer as
prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D
2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron deficiency anemia. The
nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron with which best food item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice
4. Orange juice
Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother should be instructed to
administer the medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in vitamin C. Milk may affect
absorption of the iron. Water will not assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a greater amount
of vitamin C than apple juice.
1
, Drug Classifications Pharm ATI/ ATI LPN
Pharmacology Proctored Exam Review -
2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide &
NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
|Grade A (100% Correct Elaborations)
3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse monitors the
client, knowing that which of the following would indicate the presence of systemic toxicity
from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result.
Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological disturbances. Constipation
and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism.
4.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if they have applied
sunscreen. The nurse reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are most effective when
applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun so that
they can penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied after swimming or sweating.
2
, Drug Classifications Pharm ATI/ ATI LPN
Pharmacology Proctored Exam Review -
2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide &
NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
|Grade A (100% Correct Elaborations)
5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client with a burn injury. When applying
the medication, the client complains of local discomfort and burning. Which of the following is
the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site
3. Informing the client that this is normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive organisms and is used to
treat burns to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The client should be informed that the
medication will cause local discomfort and burning and that this is a normal reaction; therefore
options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of
injury. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the following indicates that a
systemic effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site
1.Hyperventilation
3
, Drug Classifications Pharm ATI/ ATI LPN
Pharmacology Proctored Exam Review -
2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide &
NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
|Grade A (100% Correct Elaborations)
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal excretion of acid,
thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should be monitored for signs of an
acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication should be discontinued for
1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4 describe local rather than systemic effects. An elevated blood
pressure may be expected from the pain that occurs with a burn injury.
7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne. Before the administration of this
medication, the nurse anticipates that which laboratory test will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete blood count
4. White blood cell count
2. Triglyceride level
Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levels should be measured before
treatment and periodically thereafter until the effect on the triglycerides has been evaluated.
Options 1, 3, and 4 do not need to be monitored specifically during this treatment.
8.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider (HCP) prescribes
isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication record and would contact the (HCP) if the
client is taking which medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
4
Pharmacology Proctored Exam Review -
2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide &
NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
|Grade A (100% Correct Elaborations)
1) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the client's serum
calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer as
prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D
2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron deficiency anemia. The
nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron with which best food item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice
4. Orange juice
Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother should be instructed to
administer the medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in vitamin C. Milk may affect
absorption of the iron. Water will not assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a greater amount
of vitamin C than apple juice.
1
, Drug Classifications Pharm ATI/ ATI LPN
Pharmacology Proctored Exam Review -
2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide &
NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
|Grade A (100% Correct Elaborations)
3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse monitors the
client, knowing that which of the following would indicate the presence of systemic toxicity
from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result.
Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological disturbances. Constipation
and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism.
4.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if they have applied
sunscreen. The nurse reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are most effective when
applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun so that
they can penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied after swimming or sweating.
2
, Drug Classifications Pharm ATI/ ATI LPN
Pharmacology Proctored Exam Review -
2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide &
NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
|Grade A (100% Correct Elaborations)
5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client with a burn injury. When applying
the medication, the client complains of local discomfort and burning. Which of the following is
the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site
3. Informing the client that this is normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive organisms and is used to
treat burns to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The client should be informed that the
medication will cause local discomfort and burning and that this is a normal reaction; therefore
options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of
injury. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the following indicates that a
systemic effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site
1.Hyperventilation
3
, Drug Classifications Pharm ATI/ ATI LPN
Pharmacology Proctored Exam Review -
2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide &
NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
|Grade A (100% Correct Elaborations)
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal excretion of acid,
thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should be monitored for signs of an
acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication should be discontinued for
1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4 describe local rather than systemic effects. An elevated blood
pressure may be expected from the pain that occurs with a burn injury.
7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne. Before the administration of this
medication, the nurse anticipates that which laboratory test will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete blood count
4. White blood cell count
2. Triglyceride level
Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levels should be measured before
treatment and periodically thereafter until the effect on the triglycerides has been evaluated.
Options 1, 3, and 4 do not need to be monitored specifically during this treatment.
8.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider (HCP) prescribes
isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication record and would contact the (HCP) if the
client is taking which medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
4
