Fall Semester 2025 – December ATI CMS
Pharmacology Comprehensive Master Guide |
Updated Drug Classes, Mechanisms of Action,
High-Alert Medications, Nursing Interventions,
Dosage Calculations, Clinical Judgment
Scenarios & 360+ ATI-Style Practice Questions
with Full Rationales
Question 1: What is the primary action of beta-blockers?
A) Increase heart rate
B) Decrease heart rate
C) Dilate blood vessels
D) Increase cardiac output
Correct Option: B) Decrease heart rate
Rationale: Beta-blockers primarily work by blocking the effects of adrenaline on beta
receptors, leading to a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure.
Question 2: What classification of drug is used to treat hypertension by inhibiting
the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)?
A) Calcium Channel Blockers
B) ACE Inhibitors
C) Diuretics
D) Beta Agonists
Correct Option: B) ACE Inhibitors
Rationale: ACE inhibitors prevent the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II,
leading to decreased blood pressure through vasodilation and reduced blood volume.
Question 3: Which of the following is a common side effect of opioid analgesics?
A) Diarrhea
B) Sedation
C) Hypertension
D) Increased appetite
Correct Option: B) Sedation
Rationale: Opioid analgesics often cause sedation as a result of their action on the
central nervous system, which can lead to drowsiness and decreased alertness.
,Question 4: What is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose?
A) Naloxone
B) N-acetylcysteine
C) Atropine
D) Flumazenil
Correct Option: B) N-acetylcysteine
Rationale: N-acetylcysteine is an effective antidote for acetaminophen overdose as it
restores glutathione levels and protects the liver from damage.
Question 5: Which medication is commonly prescribed for the management of type
2 diabetes?
A) Metformin
B) Insulin
C) Glucagon
D) Sitagliptin
Correct Option: A) Metformin
Rationale: Metformin is often the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, helping to
lower blood glucose levels by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing hepatic glucose
production.
Question 6: Which class of medications is most effective for treating ventricular
tachycardia?
A) Antihistamines
B) Antiarrhythmics
C) Beta-blockers
D) Diuretics
Correct Option: B) Antiarrhythmics
Rationale: Antiarrhythmics are specifically designed to manage and treat various
arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia.
Question 7: What is the mechanism of action of statins?
A) Increase insulin sensitivity
B) Inhibit cholesterol synthesis
C) Promote renal excretion of sodium
D) Block beta-adrenergic stimulation
Correct Option: B) Inhibit cholesterol synthesis
Rationale: Statins work by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, which is crucial for
cholesterol production in the liver.
,Question 8: Which of the following is a side effect of long-term steroid use?
A) Increased muscle mass
B) Weight loss
C) Osteoporosis
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Option: C) Osteoporosis
Rationale: Long-term use of corticosteroids is associated with bone density loss,
leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Question 9: Which drug class is typically used to prevent blood clots in patients
with atrial fibrillation?
A) Thrombolytics
B) Anticoagulants
C) Antiplatelets
D) Diuretics
Correct Option: B) Anticoagulants
Rationale: Anticoagulants reduce the risk of clot formation in patients with atrial
fibrillation by inhibiting various factors in the coagulation cascade.
Question 10: What common medication can cause photosensitivity?
A) Ibuprofen
B) Tetracycline
C) Metoprolol
D) Simvastatin
Correct Option: B) Tetracycline
Rationale: Tetracycline antibiotics are known to cause photosensitivity, increasing the
risk of sunburn and skin reactions.
Question 11: Which class of drugs is contraindicated in pregnant women due to
potential teratogenic effects?
A) Antidepressants
B) Antibiotics
C) ACE inhibitors
D) Antihypertensives
Correct Option: C) ACE inhibitors
, Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause fetal organ damage and other complications,
making them contraindicated during pregnancy.
Question 12: Which of the following is a common side effect of benzodiazepines?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Drowsiness
C) Hypertension
D) Nausea
Correct Option: B) Drowsiness
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants that often cause
sedation and drowsiness.
Question 13: Which medication is considered a first-line treatment for
hypertension?
A) Losartan
B) Digoxin
C) Lidocaine
D) Atropine
Correct Option: A) Losartan
Rationale: Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), is commonly used as a
first-line treatment option for hypertension.
Question 14: What class of drugs is commonly prescribed for depression?
A) Antipsychotics
B) SSRIs
C) Beta-blockers
D) Opioids
Correct Option: B) SSRIs
Rationale: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most frequently
prescribed class for treating depression due to their efficacy and safety profile.
Question 15: Which of the following should be monitored in patients taking digoxin?
A) Liver function tests
B) Blood glucose levels
C) Serum potassium levels
D) Thyroid function tests
Pharmacology Comprehensive Master Guide |
Updated Drug Classes, Mechanisms of Action,
High-Alert Medications, Nursing Interventions,
Dosage Calculations, Clinical Judgment
Scenarios & 360+ ATI-Style Practice Questions
with Full Rationales
Question 1: What is the primary action of beta-blockers?
A) Increase heart rate
B) Decrease heart rate
C) Dilate blood vessels
D) Increase cardiac output
Correct Option: B) Decrease heart rate
Rationale: Beta-blockers primarily work by blocking the effects of adrenaline on beta
receptors, leading to a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure.
Question 2: What classification of drug is used to treat hypertension by inhibiting
the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)?
A) Calcium Channel Blockers
B) ACE Inhibitors
C) Diuretics
D) Beta Agonists
Correct Option: B) ACE Inhibitors
Rationale: ACE inhibitors prevent the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II,
leading to decreased blood pressure through vasodilation and reduced blood volume.
Question 3: Which of the following is a common side effect of opioid analgesics?
A) Diarrhea
B) Sedation
C) Hypertension
D) Increased appetite
Correct Option: B) Sedation
Rationale: Opioid analgesics often cause sedation as a result of their action on the
central nervous system, which can lead to drowsiness and decreased alertness.
,Question 4: What is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose?
A) Naloxone
B) N-acetylcysteine
C) Atropine
D) Flumazenil
Correct Option: B) N-acetylcysteine
Rationale: N-acetylcysteine is an effective antidote for acetaminophen overdose as it
restores glutathione levels and protects the liver from damage.
Question 5: Which medication is commonly prescribed for the management of type
2 diabetes?
A) Metformin
B) Insulin
C) Glucagon
D) Sitagliptin
Correct Option: A) Metformin
Rationale: Metformin is often the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, helping to
lower blood glucose levels by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing hepatic glucose
production.
Question 6: Which class of medications is most effective for treating ventricular
tachycardia?
A) Antihistamines
B) Antiarrhythmics
C) Beta-blockers
D) Diuretics
Correct Option: B) Antiarrhythmics
Rationale: Antiarrhythmics are specifically designed to manage and treat various
arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia.
Question 7: What is the mechanism of action of statins?
A) Increase insulin sensitivity
B) Inhibit cholesterol synthesis
C) Promote renal excretion of sodium
D) Block beta-adrenergic stimulation
Correct Option: B) Inhibit cholesterol synthesis
Rationale: Statins work by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, which is crucial for
cholesterol production in the liver.
,Question 8: Which of the following is a side effect of long-term steroid use?
A) Increased muscle mass
B) Weight loss
C) Osteoporosis
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Option: C) Osteoporosis
Rationale: Long-term use of corticosteroids is associated with bone density loss,
leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Question 9: Which drug class is typically used to prevent blood clots in patients
with atrial fibrillation?
A) Thrombolytics
B) Anticoagulants
C) Antiplatelets
D) Diuretics
Correct Option: B) Anticoagulants
Rationale: Anticoagulants reduce the risk of clot formation in patients with atrial
fibrillation by inhibiting various factors in the coagulation cascade.
Question 10: What common medication can cause photosensitivity?
A) Ibuprofen
B) Tetracycline
C) Metoprolol
D) Simvastatin
Correct Option: B) Tetracycline
Rationale: Tetracycline antibiotics are known to cause photosensitivity, increasing the
risk of sunburn and skin reactions.
Question 11: Which class of drugs is contraindicated in pregnant women due to
potential teratogenic effects?
A) Antidepressants
B) Antibiotics
C) ACE inhibitors
D) Antihypertensives
Correct Option: C) ACE inhibitors
, Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause fetal organ damage and other complications,
making them contraindicated during pregnancy.
Question 12: Which of the following is a common side effect of benzodiazepines?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Drowsiness
C) Hypertension
D) Nausea
Correct Option: B) Drowsiness
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants that often cause
sedation and drowsiness.
Question 13: Which medication is considered a first-line treatment for
hypertension?
A) Losartan
B) Digoxin
C) Lidocaine
D) Atropine
Correct Option: A) Losartan
Rationale: Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), is commonly used as a
first-line treatment option for hypertension.
Question 14: What class of drugs is commonly prescribed for depression?
A) Antipsychotics
B) SSRIs
C) Beta-blockers
D) Opioids
Correct Option: B) SSRIs
Rationale: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most frequently
prescribed class for treating depression due to their efficacy and safety profile.
Question 15: Which of the following should be monitored in patients taking digoxin?
A) Liver function tests
B) Blood glucose levels
C) Serum potassium levels
D) Thyroid function tests
