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ATI Pharmacology Proctored Exam |
Updated Edition | Verified Questions &
Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Rated A+ | Latest Version
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!!!
QUESTION
A charge nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse provide care to a group of clients.
Which action by the newly licensed nurse requires the charge nurse to complete an
incident report?
,a. A client has a lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L and receives her morning dose of lithium
b. A client refuses to take their prescribed antihypertensive medication
c. A client receives their medication 30 minutes after the scheduled time
d. A client requests pain medication and receives it within 15 minutes
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L is above the therapeutic range (0.6-1.2 mEq/L) and
approaches toxicity. Administering the morning dose of lithium when the level is
elevated constitutes a medication error that requires an incident report. Lithium toxicity
can cause neurological symptoms, cardiac arrhythmias, and potentially life-threatening
complications. The nurse should have verified the lab result before administration and
held the dose while notifying the provider.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a thyroidectomy and is
receiving morphine for pain. Which of the following findings should the nurse recognize
as an adverse effect of morphine?
a. Diarrhea
b. Bladder distention
c. Hypertension
d. Tachycardia
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Morphine, an opioid analgesic, commonly causes urinary retention due to increased
smooth muscle tone in the bladder sphincter and decreased awareness of the urge to
void. Bladder distention is a significant adverse effect that can lead to discomfort and
potential urinary tract complications. Other common adverse effects include
constipation, respiratory depression, nausea, and sedation. Diarrhea, hypertension, and
tachycardia are not typical adverse effects of morphine.
,A nurse is teaching a client who is to start cromolyn for asthma management. Which
information should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. Cromolyn is a rescue medication for acute asthma attacks
b. Cromolyn is a long-term management medication
c. Cromolyn should be taken at the first sign of wheezing
d. Cromolyn works immediately to relieve bronchospasm
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Cromolyn is a mast cell stabilizer used for long-term management of asthma, not for
acute symptom relief. It works by preventing the release of inflammatory mediators from
mast cells and must be taken consistently to be effective. Onset of action is delayed, and
it is not effective for treating acute bronchospasm. Clients should be instructed to use it
regularly, even when asymptomatic, to prevent asthma exacerbations.
A nurse is preparing to administer methylprednisolone sodium succinate 80 mg IV bolus.
The nurse reconstitutes the 125 mg vial in powder form to 2 mL. How many mL should
the nurse administer?
a. 0.8 mL
b. 1.0 mL
c. 1.3 mL
d. 1.6 mL
✔️ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The calculation is: (Desired dose / Available dose) × Volume = (80 mg / 125 mg) × 2 mL
= 0.64 × 2 mL = 1.28 mL, rounded to 1.3 mL. Accurate calculation is essential when
administering IV medications. The nurse should verify the calculation with another nurse
before administration and use appropriate injection technique.
, A nurse is caring for a client who has major depression and a new prescription for
citalopram. Which adverse effect is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
a. Bruxism
b. Confusion
c. Dry mouth
d. Headache
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Confusion in a client taking citalopram, an SSRI antidepressant, is a priority adverse effect
to report because it may indicate serotonin syndrome or hyponatremia, particularly in
older adults. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition characterized
by confusion, agitation, tachycardia, hyperthermia, and muscle rigidity. Bruxism, dry
mouth, and headache are common side effects but are not life-threatening.
A nurse is mixing regular insulin and NPH insulin in the same syringe prior to
administering it to a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which action should the nurse take
first?
a. Inject air into the regular insulin vial
b. Inject air into the NPH insulin vial
c. Draw up the regular insulin first
d. Draw up the NPH insulin first
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The correct technique for mixing insulins is to first inject air into the NPH vial without
drawing up the insulin, then inject air into the regular vial and draw up the regular
insulin, and finally draw up the NPH insulin. This sequence prevents contamination of the
regular insulin with NPH insulin. Regular insulin is clear and should be drawn up first to
maintain its rapid-acting properties.
ATI Pharmacology Proctored Exam |
Updated Edition | Verified Questions &
Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Rated A+ | Latest Version
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!!!
QUESTION
A charge nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse provide care to a group of clients.
Which action by the newly licensed nurse requires the charge nurse to complete an
incident report?
,a. A client has a lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L and receives her morning dose of lithium
b. A client refuses to take their prescribed antihypertensive medication
c. A client receives their medication 30 minutes after the scheduled time
d. A client requests pain medication and receives it within 15 minutes
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L is above the therapeutic range (0.6-1.2 mEq/L) and
approaches toxicity. Administering the morning dose of lithium when the level is
elevated constitutes a medication error that requires an incident report. Lithium toxicity
can cause neurological symptoms, cardiac arrhythmias, and potentially life-threatening
complications. The nurse should have verified the lab result before administration and
held the dose while notifying the provider.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a thyroidectomy and is
receiving morphine for pain. Which of the following findings should the nurse recognize
as an adverse effect of morphine?
a. Diarrhea
b. Bladder distention
c. Hypertension
d. Tachycardia
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Morphine, an opioid analgesic, commonly causes urinary retention due to increased
smooth muscle tone in the bladder sphincter and decreased awareness of the urge to
void. Bladder distention is a significant adverse effect that can lead to discomfort and
potential urinary tract complications. Other common adverse effects include
constipation, respiratory depression, nausea, and sedation. Diarrhea, hypertension, and
tachycardia are not typical adverse effects of morphine.
,A nurse is teaching a client who is to start cromolyn for asthma management. Which
information should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. Cromolyn is a rescue medication for acute asthma attacks
b. Cromolyn is a long-term management medication
c. Cromolyn should be taken at the first sign of wheezing
d. Cromolyn works immediately to relieve bronchospasm
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Cromolyn is a mast cell stabilizer used for long-term management of asthma, not for
acute symptom relief. It works by preventing the release of inflammatory mediators from
mast cells and must be taken consistently to be effective. Onset of action is delayed, and
it is not effective for treating acute bronchospasm. Clients should be instructed to use it
regularly, even when asymptomatic, to prevent asthma exacerbations.
A nurse is preparing to administer methylprednisolone sodium succinate 80 mg IV bolus.
The nurse reconstitutes the 125 mg vial in powder form to 2 mL. How many mL should
the nurse administer?
a. 0.8 mL
b. 1.0 mL
c. 1.3 mL
d. 1.6 mL
✔️ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The calculation is: (Desired dose / Available dose) × Volume = (80 mg / 125 mg) × 2 mL
= 0.64 × 2 mL = 1.28 mL, rounded to 1.3 mL. Accurate calculation is essential when
administering IV medications. The nurse should verify the calculation with another nurse
before administration and use appropriate injection technique.
, A nurse is caring for a client who has major depression and a new prescription for
citalopram. Which adverse effect is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
a. Bruxism
b. Confusion
c. Dry mouth
d. Headache
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Confusion in a client taking citalopram, an SSRI antidepressant, is a priority adverse effect
to report because it may indicate serotonin syndrome or hyponatremia, particularly in
older adults. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition characterized
by confusion, agitation, tachycardia, hyperthermia, and muscle rigidity. Bruxism, dry
mouth, and headache are common side effects but are not life-threatening.
A nurse is mixing regular insulin and NPH insulin in the same syringe prior to
administering it to a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which action should the nurse take
first?
a. Inject air into the regular insulin vial
b. Inject air into the NPH insulin vial
c. Draw up the regular insulin first
d. Draw up the NPH insulin first
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The correct technique for mixing insulins is to first inject air into the NPH vial without
drawing up the insulin, then inject air into the regular vial and draw up the regular
insulin, and finally draw up the NPH insulin. This sequence prevents contamination of the
regular insulin with NPH insulin. Regular insulin is clear and should be drawn up first to
maintain its rapid-acting properties.
