ATI Pharmacology Proctored Exam
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,A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client who has difficulty
swallowing tablets. Which action should the nurse take to ensure safe administration?
a. Crush the tablet and mix it with applesauce
b. Dissolve the tablet in hot water
c. Ask the pharmacy for a liquid formulation
d. Administer the tablet with a full glass of water
✔️ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The safest action is to request a liquid formulation from the pharmacy when a client has
difficulty swallowing tablets. Option A is incorrect because not all tablets can be crushed
(e.g., enteric-coated or sustained-release formulations). Option B is incorrect because
heat can degrade many medications. Option D is incorrect because it does not address
the swallowing difficulty. Requesting an appropriate formulation ensures safe and
effective medication administration.
A nurse is administering a medication that has a high first-pass effect. The nurse should
anticipate that this medication will be administered by which route?
a. Oral
b. Sublingual
c. Intravenous
d. Topical
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The first-pass effect occurs when medications are absorbed from the gastrointestinal
tract and metabolized by the liver before reaching systemic circulation. This is most
significant with oral medications. Option B (Sublingual) bypasses the first-pass effect
because absorption occurs directly into systemic circulation. Option C (Intravenous) also
bypasses the first-pass effect. Option D (Topical) has minimal first-pass effect.
Medications with high first-pass metabolism require higher oral doses.
A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for a medication that is highly
protein-bound. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of this
concept?
,a. "I should take this medication with a high-protein meal."
b. "I should avoid taking this medication with other protein-bound medications."
c. "This medication will stay in my body for a shorter time."
d. "This medication will be excreted more quickly by my kidneys."
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Highly protein-bound medications can compete for binding sites, leading to increased
free drug levels and potential toxicity. Clients should be aware of potential interactions
with other protein-bound medications. Option A is incorrect because dietary protein
does not directly affect protein binding. Option C is incorrect because protein binding
prolongs drug action. Option D is incorrect because protein binding reduces glomerular
filtration.
A nurse is reviewing the medication administration record and notes that a client is
prescribed a medication with a narrow therapeutic index. Which action is most
important for the nurse to take?
a. Monitor serum drug levels regularly
b. Administer the medication with food
c. Split the dose into smaller doses
d. Administer the medication at bedtime
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Medications with a narrow therapeutic index require regular monitoring of serum drug
levels to ensure therapeutic efficacy and prevent toxicity. Option B (Administer with
food) is not specific to narrow therapeutic index drugs. Option C (Split the dose) is not
indicated. Option D (Administer at bedtime) is not relevant. Serum level monitoring is
essential for drugs like digoxin, lithium, and warfarin.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is prescribed a medication that
causes photosensitivity. Which instruction should the nurse include?
a. "Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher when outdoors."
b. "Avoid all sunlight exposure."
c. "Take the medication at bedtime to reduce sensitivity."
d. "Wear dark clothing to protect your skin."
, ✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Clients taking photosensitizing medications should apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or
higher and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Option B is incorrect because
complete avoidance is unrealistic. Option C is incorrect because timing does not affect
photosensitivity. Option D is incorrect because dark clothing alone is insufficient. Sun
protection is essential to prevent skin reactions.
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that is a controlled substance. Which
action is required by federal law?
a. Count the medication with another nurse
b. Document the medication in the client's chart
c. Store the medication in a locked cabinet
d. Discard unused medication in the trash
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Controlled substances require counting with another nurse when preparing and wasting
to prevent diversion. Option B (Documentation) is standard for all medications. Option C
(Storage) is required but not during preparation. Option D is incorrect because waste
must be witnessed and documented. Double-counting is a legal requirement.
A nurse is assessing a client who is taking a medication that causes orthostatic
hypotension. Which finding indicates that the client is experiencing this adverse effect?
a. Blood pressure decreases when standing from a sitting position
b. Heart rate increases when lying down
c. Blood pressure increases when standing
d. Respiratory rate increases when standing
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a decrease in blood pressure of 20 mmHg systolic
or 10 mmHg diastolic when moving from lying or sitting to standing. Option B is
incorrect because heart rate typically increases to compensate. Option C is incorrect
because blood pressure decreases, not increases. Option D is incorrect because
respiratory rate is not directly affected. Orthostatic hypotension increases fall risk.
2026/2027 Frequently Most Tested
Questions and 100% Accurate From Past
papers | Graded A+ , Reviewed and Updated
| 100% Guarantee Pass | Latest Exam and
Newest Version! |
|
,A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client who has difficulty
swallowing tablets. Which action should the nurse take to ensure safe administration?
a. Crush the tablet and mix it with applesauce
b. Dissolve the tablet in hot water
c. Ask the pharmacy for a liquid formulation
d. Administer the tablet with a full glass of water
✔️ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The safest action is to request a liquid formulation from the pharmacy when a client has
difficulty swallowing tablets. Option A is incorrect because not all tablets can be crushed
(e.g., enteric-coated or sustained-release formulations). Option B is incorrect because
heat can degrade many medications. Option D is incorrect because it does not address
the swallowing difficulty. Requesting an appropriate formulation ensures safe and
effective medication administration.
A nurse is administering a medication that has a high first-pass effect. The nurse should
anticipate that this medication will be administered by which route?
a. Oral
b. Sublingual
c. Intravenous
d. Topical
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The first-pass effect occurs when medications are absorbed from the gastrointestinal
tract and metabolized by the liver before reaching systemic circulation. This is most
significant with oral medications. Option B (Sublingual) bypasses the first-pass effect
because absorption occurs directly into systemic circulation. Option C (Intravenous) also
bypasses the first-pass effect. Option D (Topical) has minimal first-pass effect.
Medications with high first-pass metabolism require higher oral doses.
A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for a medication that is highly
protein-bound. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of this
concept?
,a. "I should take this medication with a high-protein meal."
b. "I should avoid taking this medication with other protein-bound medications."
c. "This medication will stay in my body for a shorter time."
d. "This medication will be excreted more quickly by my kidneys."
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Highly protein-bound medications can compete for binding sites, leading to increased
free drug levels and potential toxicity. Clients should be aware of potential interactions
with other protein-bound medications. Option A is incorrect because dietary protein
does not directly affect protein binding. Option C is incorrect because protein binding
prolongs drug action. Option D is incorrect because protein binding reduces glomerular
filtration.
A nurse is reviewing the medication administration record and notes that a client is
prescribed a medication with a narrow therapeutic index. Which action is most
important for the nurse to take?
a. Monitor serum drug levels regularly
b. Administer the medication with food
c. Split the dose into smaller doses
d. Administer the medication at bedtime
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Medications with a narrow therapeutic index require regular monitoring of serum drug
levels to ensure therapeutic efficacy and prevent toxicity. Option B (Administer with
food) is not specific to narrow therapeutic index drugs. Option C (Split the dose) is not
indicated. Option D (Administer at bedtime) is not relevant. Serum level monitoring is
essential for drugs like digoxin, lithium, and warfarin.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is prescribed a medication that
causes photosensitivity. Which instruction should the nurse include?
a. "Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher when outdoors."
b. "Avoid all sunlight exposure."
c. "Take the medication at bedtime to reduce sensitivity."
d. "Wear dark clothing to protect your skin."
, ✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Clients taking photosensitizing medications should apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or
higher and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Option B is incorrect because
complete avoidance is unrealistic. Option C is incorrect because timing does not affect
photosensitivity. Option D is incorrect because dark clothing alone is insufficient. Sun
protection is essential to prevent skin reactions.
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that is a controlled substance. Which
action is required by federal law?
a. Count the medication with another nurse
b. Document the medication in the client's chart
c. Store the medication in a locked cabinet
d. Discard unused medication in the trash
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Controlled substances require counting with another nurse when preparing and wasting
to prevent diversion. Option B (Documentation) is standard for all medications. Option C
(Storage) is required but not during preparation. Option D is incorrect because waste
must be witnessed and documented. Double-counting is a legal requirement.
A nurse is assessing a client who is taking a medication that causes orthostatic
hypotension. Which finding indicates that the client is experiencing this adverse effect?
a. Blood pressure decreases when standing from a sitting position
b. Heart rate increases when lying down
c. Blood pressure increases when standing
d. Respiratory rate increases when standing
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a decrease in blood pressure of 20 mmHg systolic
or 10 mmHg diastolic when moving from lying or sitting to standing. Option B is
incorrect because heart rate typically increases to compensate. Option C is incorrect
because blood pressure decreases, not increases. Option D is incorrect because
respiratory rate is not directly affected. Orthostatic hypotension increases fall risk.
