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ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 | PHARMACOLOGY | 50 VERIFIED Q&A |
DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-ALIGNED | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
Q1: Medication Administration – Otic Drops (Adult)
A PN is preparing to instill otic drops in an adult client. Which action is correct?
A. Pull the pinna down and back
B. Pull the pinna up and back
C. Pull the pinna straight forward
D. Pull the pinna straight down
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For adults, pull the pinna up and back to straighten the ear canal. For children under 3,
pull the pinna down and back. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Medication Administration – Eye Drops
A PN is administering eye drops. Which action is correct?
A. Instill drops directly onto the cornea
B. Apply pressure to the inner canthus after instillation
C. Touch the dropper to the eye
D. Have the client look down during instillation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apply pressure to the inner canthus (punctal occlusion) to prevent systemic absorption.
Do not touch the dropper to the eye. Have the client look up. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Medication Administration – Rectal Suppository
A PN is administering a rectal suppository. The client should be positioned:
A. Supine
B. Sims' position
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sims' position (left side-lying with right leg flexed) is used for rectal suppository
administration. Insert past the internal sphincter. [100% CORRECT]
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Q4: Medication Administration – Intradermal Injection
A PN is administering an intradermal injection. The needle should be inserted at:
A. 5–15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 30 degrees
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Intradermal injections (e.g., TB skin test) are given at a 5–15 degree angle into the dermis.
A wheal should form. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Medication Administration – Z-Track Technique
A PN is using the Z-track technique for an IM injection. The purpose is to:
A. Reduce pain
B. Prevent medication from leaking into subcutaneous tissue
C. Increase absorption
D. Prevent bleeding
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Z-track technique prevents medication from leaking into subcutaneous tissue, reducing
irritation. Pull skin laterally, inject, withdraw, then release skin. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Medication Administration – Mixing Insulins
A PN is mixing Regular and NPH insulin. Which action is correct?
A. Draw up NPH first, then Regular
B. Draw up Regular first, then NPH
C. Shake both vials vigorously
D. Use the same syringe for multiple clients
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Draw up Regular (clear) insulin first to prevent contamination of the Regular vial with
NPH (cloudy). Then draw up NPH. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Medication Administration – Insulin Storage
A client asks about storing insulin. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will store unopened insulin in the freezer."
B. "I will keep my current insulin pen at room temperature for up to 28 days."
C. "I will leave insulin in direct sunlight."
D. "I will shake the insulin vigorously before use."
ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 | PHARMACOLOGY | 50 VERIFIED Q&A |
DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-ALIGNED | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
Q1: Medication Administration – Otic Drops (Adult)
A PN is preparing to instill otic drops in an adult client. Which action is correct?
A. Pull the pinna down and back
B. Pull the pinna up and back
C. Pull the pinna straight forward
D. Pull the pinna straight down
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For adults, pull the pinna up and back to straighten the ear canal. For children under 3,
pull the pinna down and back. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Medication Administration – Eye Drops
A PN is administering eye drops. Which action is correct?
A. Instill drops directly onto the cornea
B. Apply pressure to the inner canthus after instillation
C. Touch the dropper to the eye
D. Have the client look down during instillation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apply pressure to the inner canthus (punctal occlusion) to prevent systemic absorption.
Do not touch the dropper to the eye. Have the client look up. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Medication Administration – Rectal Suppository
A PN is administering a rectal suppository. The client should be positioned:
A. Supine
B. Sims' position
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sims' position (left side-lying with right leg flexed) is used for rectal suppository
administration. Insert past the internal sphincter. [100% CORRECT]
, 2
Q4: Medication Administration – Intradermal Injection
A PN is administering an intradermal injection. The needle should be inserted at:
A. 5–15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 30 degrees
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Intradermal injections (e.g., TB skin test) are given at a 5–15 degree angle into the dermis.
A wheal should form. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Medication Administration – Z-Track Technique
A PN is using the Z-track technique for an IM injection. The purpose is to:
A. Reduce pain
B. Prevent medication from leaking into subcutaneous tissue
C. Increase absorption
D. Prevent bleeding
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Z-track technique prevents medication from leaking into subcutaneous tissue, reducing
irritation. Pull skin laterally, inject, withdraw, then release skin. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Medication Administration – Mixing Insulins
A PN is mixing Regular and NPH insulin. Which action is correct?
A. Draw up NPH first, then Regular
B. Draw up Regular first, then NPH
C. Shake both vials vigorously
D. Use the same syringe for multiple clients
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Draw up Regular (clear) insulin first to prevent contamination of the Regular vial with
NPH (cloudy). Then draw up NPH. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Medication Administration – Insulin Storage
A client asks about storing insulin. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will store unopened insulin in the freezer."
B. "I will keep my current insulin pen at room temperature for up to 28 days."
C. "I will leave insulin in direct sunlight."
D. "I will shake the insulin vigorously before use."
