2026 ATI Pharmacology Proctored ACTUAL EXAM 80
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
|ALREADY GRADED A.
QUESTION
A nurse is completing discharge teaching for a client who has a new
prescription for transdermal patches. Which of the following statements should
the nurse identify as an indication that the client understands the instructions?
A. "I will clean the site with an alcohol swab before I apply the patch."
B. "I will rotate the application sites weekly."
C. "I will apply the patch to an area of skin with no hair."
D. "I will place the new patch on the site of the old patch."
CORRECT ANS: C
Expert Rationale
Transdermal patches provide a controlled and sustained release of medication
through the skin into the systemic circulation. Proper application is essential for
optimal drug absorption and to prevent local skin irritation. Applying the patch
to an area of skin with no hair (Option C) is correct because hair can interfere
with the adhesion of the patch and reduce the surface area for absorption.
Option A is incorrect; the skin should be clean and dry, but alcohol swabs can
dry the skin and cause irritation; plain water is preferred. Option B is incorrect;
application sites should be rotated daily, not weekly, to prevent skin irritation
and ensure consistent absorption. Option D is incorrect; the new patch should
be applied to a different site to prevent skin breakdown and irritation.
Therefore, applying the patch to hairless skin indicates understanding.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC:
NCLEX: Physiological Integrity – Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
QUESTION
A nurse reviewing a client's medical record notes a new prescription for
,verifying the trough level of the client's medication. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Obtain a blood specimen immediately prior to administering the next dose
of medication.
B. Verify that the client has been taking the medication for 24 hours before
obtaining a blood specimen.
C. Ask the client to provide a urine specimen after the next dose of medication.
D. Administer the medication and obtain a blood specimen 30 minutes later.
CORRECT ANS: A
Expert Rationale
A trough level is the lowest concentration of a medication in the bloodstream,
which typically occurs just before the next dose is administered. To accurately
measure the trough level, the nurse should obtain a blood specimen
immediately prior to administering the next dose of medication (Option A).
This measurement helps ensure that the medication is within the therapeutic
range and not accumulating to toxic levels. Option B is incorrect because a
trough level does not require the client to have been on the medication for 24
hours specifically; it is based on the dosing interval. Option C is incorrect;
trough levels are measured in blood, not urine. Option D is incorrect;
measuring the level 30 minutes after administration would reflect a peak level,
not a trough. Therefore, obtaining a blood specimen immediately before the
next dose is the correct action.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity – Pharmacological and Parenteral
Therapies
QUESTION
A nurse is preparing a client's medications. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take in following legal practice guidelines? (Select all that
apply.)
,A. Maintain skill competency.
B. Determine the dosage.
C. Monitor for adverse effects.
D. Safeguard medications.
E. Identify the client's diagnosis.
CORRECT ANS: A, C, D
Expert Rationale
Nurses have legal and professional responsibilities when administering
medications to ensure client safety. Maintaining skill competency (Option A) is
a legal responsibility because the nurse must be competent in medication
administration techniques and dosage calculations. Monitoring for adverse
effects (Option C) is also a legal responsibility; the nurse must assess the
client's response to the medication and report any adverse or side effects
promptly. Safeguarding medications (Option D), particularly controlled
substances, is a legal responsibility to prevent misuse, diversion, or theft.
Option B, determining the dosage, is not the nurse's role; the provider
prescribes the dosage, and the nurse verifies and calculates it. Option E,
identifying the client's diagnosis, is part of the nursing assessment but is not a
specific legal responsibility related to medication administration. Therefore,
maintaining skill competency, monitoring for adverse effects, and safeguarding
medications are the correct legal practice guidelines.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process:
Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment –
Management of Care
QUESTION
A nurse reviewing a client's health record notes a new prescription for Lisinopril
10 mg PO once every day. The nurse should identify this as which of the
following types of prescription?
A. Single
B. Stat
, C. Routine
D. Standing
CORRECT ANS: C
Expert Rationale
A routine prescription (Option C) is a standard prescription that is administered
on a regular schedule, such as once daily, twice daily, or every 6 hours, with no
specific termination date. The nurse will administer lisinopril 10 mg PO once
daily until the provider discontinues the order. Option A, a single order, is a
one-time order given for a specific situation, such as preoperative medication.
Option B, a stat order, is a one-time order that is to be given immediately in an
emergency. Option D, a standing order, is a protocol or order that is
implemented under specific conditions, often without the need to contact the
provider first. Therefore, the prescription for lisinopril once daily is classified as
a routine prescription.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process:
Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment –
Management of Care
QUESTION
A nurse is reviewing a new prescription for Ondansetron 4 mg PO PRN for
nausea and vomiting for a client who has Hyperemesis Gravidarum. The nurse
should clarify which of the following parts of the prescription with the
provider?
A. Name
B. Dosage
C. Route
D. Frequency
CORRECT ANS: D
Expert Rationale
The prescription for ondansetron includes the medication name, dosage, and
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
|ALREADY GRADED A.
QUESTION
A nurse is completing discharge teaching for a client who has a new
prescription for transdermal patches. Which of the following statements should
the nurse identify as an indication that the client understands the instructions?
A. "I will clean the site with an alcohol swab before I apply the patch."
B. "I will rotate the application sites weekly."
C. "I will apply the patch to an area of skin with no hair."
D. "I will place the new patch on the site of the old patch."
CORRECT ANS: C
Expert Rationale
Transdermal patches provide a controlled and sustained release of medication
through the skin into the systemic circulation. Proper application is essential for
optimal drug absorption and to prevent local skin irritation. Applying the patch
to an area of skin with no hair (Option C) is correct because hair can interfere
with the adhesion of the patch and reduce the surface area for absorption.
Option A is incorrect; the skin should be clean and dry, but alcohol swabs can
dry the skin and cause irritation; plain water is preferred. Option B is incorrect;
application sites should be rotated daily, not weekly, to prevent skin irritation
and ensure consistent absorption. Option D is incorrect; the new patch should
be applied to a different site to prevent skin breakdown and irritation.
Therefore, applying the patch to hairless skin indicates understanding.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC:
NCLEX: Physiological Integrity – Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
QUESTION
A nurse reviewing a client's medical record notes a new prescription for
,verifying the trough level of the client's medication. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Obtain a blood specimen immediately prior to administering the next dose
of medication.
B. Verify that the client has been taking the medication for 24 hours before
obtaining a blood specimen.
C. Ask the client to provide a urine specimen after the next dose of medication.
D. Administer the medication and obtain a blood specimen 30 minutes later.
CORRECT ANS: A
Expert Rationale
A trough level is the lowest concentration of a medication in the bloodstream,
which typically occurs just before the next dose is administered. To accurately
measure the trough level, the nurse should obtain a blood specimen
immediately prior to administering the next dose of medication (Option A).
This measurement helps ensure that the medication is within the therapeutic
range and not accumulating to toxic levels. Option B is incorrect because a
trough level does not require the client to have been on the medication for 24
hours specifically; it is based on the dosing interval. Option C is incorrect;
trough levels are measured in blood, not urine. Option D is incorrect;
measuring the level 30 minutes after administration would reflect a peak level,
not a trough. Therefore, obtaining a blood specimen immediately before the
next dose is the correct action.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity – Pharmacological and Parenteral
Therapies
QUESTION
A nurse is preparing a client's medications. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take in following legal practice guidelines? (Select all that
apply.)
,A. Maintain skill competency.
B. Determine the dosage.
C. Monitor for adverse effects.
D. Safeguard medications.
E. Identify the client's diagnosis.
CORRECT ANS: A, C, D
Expert Rationale
Nurses have legal and professional responsibilities when administering
medications to ensure client safety. Maintaining skill competency (Option A) is
a legal responsibility because the nurse must be competent in medication
administration techniques and dosage calculations. Monitoring for adverse
effects (Option C) is also a legal responsibility; the nurse must assess the
client's response to the medication and report any adverse or side effects
promptly. Safeguarding medications (Option D), particularly controlled
substances, is a legal responsibility to prevent misuse, diversion, or theft.
Option B, determining the dosage, is not the nurse's role; the provider
prescribes the dosage, and the nurse verifies and calculates it. Option E,
identifying the client's diagnosis, is part of the nursing assessment but is not a
specific legal responsibility related to medication administration. Therefore,
maintaining skill competency, monitoring for adverse effects, and safeguarding
medications are the correct legal practice guidelines.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process:
Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment –
Management of Care
QUESTION
A nurse reviewing a client's health record notes a new prescription for Lisinopril
10 mg PO once every day. The nurse should identify this as which of the
following types of prescription?
A. Single
B. Stat
, C. Routine
D. Standing
CORRECT ANS: C
Expert Rationale
A routine prescription (Option C) is a standard prescription that is administered
on a regular schedule, such as once daily, twice daily, or every 6 hours, with no
specific termination date. The nurse will administer lisinopril 10 mg PO once
daily until the provider discontinues the order. Option A, a single order, is a
one-time order given for a specific situation, such as preoperative medication.
Option B, a stat order, is a one-time order that is to be given immediately in an
emergency. Option D, a standing order, is a protocol or order that is
implemented under specific conditions, often without the need to contact the
provider first. Therefore, the prescription for lisinopril once daily is classified as
a routine prescription.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process:
Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment –
Management of Care
QUESTION
A nurse is reviewing a new prescription for Ondansetron 4 mg PO PRN for
nausea and vomiting for a client who has Hyperemesis Gravidarum. The nurse
should clarify which of the following parts of the prescription with the
provider?
A. Name
B. Dosage
C. Route
D. Frequency
CORRECT ANS: D
Expert Rationale
The prescription for ondansetron includes the medication name, dosage, and
