1
ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED TEST BANK
2026/2027 | PHARMACOLOGY | 200 VERIFIED Q&A |
DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-ALIGNED | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION & SAFETY – Questions 1–30
Q1: Medication Administration – Enteral Tube Verification
A PN is preparing to administer medications through a client's nasogastric tube. Which action should
the PN take first?
A. Flush the tube with 30 mL of water
B. Verify tube placement by checking pH of aspirate
C. Administer medications one at a time
D. Position the client supine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verify tube placement before administering anything. Check pH of aspirate (gastric pH
<5.5) and/or X-ray. Then flush, administer medications one at a time, and position upright. [100%
CORRECT]
Q2: Medication Administration – Ear Drops (Pediatric)
A PN is instilling ear drops in a 2-year-old child. Which action is correct?
A. Pull the pinna up and back
B. Pull the pinna down and back
C. Pull the pinna straight out
D. Pull the pinna forward
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For children under 3, pull the pinna down and back to straighten the ear canal. For adults
and children over 3, pull up and back. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Medication Administration – Eye Ointment
A PN is applying eye ointment. The PN should apply:
A. A thick ribbon from outer to inner canthus
B. A thin ribbon from inner to outer canthus
C. Directly onto the cornea
D. With a cotton-tipped applicator
,2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apply a thin ribbon of ointment from inner to outer canthus, avoiding the cornea. Use a
separate tube for each eye if infection is present. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Medication Administration – Rectal Suppository (Adult)
A PN is inserting a rectal suppository. The PN should insert the suppository:
A. Just past the internal sphincter
B. 3 inches into the rectum
C. 4 inches into the rectum
D. Just inside the anal canal
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Insert the suppository past the internal sphincter (about 1–1.5 inches for adults) to
prevent expulsion. Lubricate with water-soluble lubricant. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Medication Administration – Intradermal Injection
A PN is administering an intradermal injection. Which site is preferred?
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Inner forearm
D. Ventrogluteal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Intradermal injections (e.g., TB skin test) are given into the inner forearm. A small wheal
should form. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Medication Administration – Subcutaneous Injection Angle
A PN is administering a subcutaneous injection to an average-sized client. The needle should be
inserted at:
A. 15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 30 degrees
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Subcutaneous injection: 45 degrees for average client, 90 degrees for obese client. [100%
CORRECT]
Q7: Medication Administration – Intramuscular Injection Site
,3
A PN is administering an IM injection to an adult. Which site is preferred?
A. Deltoid
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Dorsogluteal
D. Vastus lateralis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ventrogluteal is the preferred IM site for adults: free of major nerves and blood vessels.
[100% CORRECT]
Q8: Medication Administration – Z-Track Technique
A PN is using the Z-track technique for an IM injection. Which action is correct?
A. Pull the skin laterally before injecting
B. Pinch the skin before injecting
C. Massage the site after injecting
D. Aspirate before injecting
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Z-track: pull the skin laterally, inject, withdraw, then release the skin. This prevents
medication from leaking into subcutaneous tissue. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: 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]
Q10: 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."
Correct Answer: B
, 4
Rationale: Unopened insulin: refrigerate. Opened insulin: room temperature for up to 28 days. Do
not freeze. Do not shake vigorously; roll gently. [100% CORRECT]
Q11: Medication Administration – Heparin Flush
A PN is administering a heparin flush through a central line. The purpose is to:
A. Prevent infection
B. Maintain patency of the catheter
C. Anticoagulate the client
D. Dissolve clots
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Heparin flush maintains patency of central venous catheters. It is not for systemic
anticoagulation. [100% CORRECT]
Q12: Medication Administration – Transdermal Patch
A PN is applying a transdermal patch. Which action is correct?
A. Apply to hairy skin
B. Rotate application sites
C. Apply to the same site each time
D. Cut the patch to adjust the dose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rotate application sites to prevent skin irritation. Apply to clean, hairless skin. Do not cut
patches. [100% CORRECT]
Q13: Medication Administration – Metered-Dose Inhaler
A client is learning to use a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which instruction is correct?
A. Inhale rapidly and deeply
B. Hold breath for 10 seconds after inhalation
C. Use without a spacer
D. Exhale forcefully before activating the inhaler
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hold breath for 10 seconds after inhalation to allow medication to reach airways. Use a
spacer if available. Exhale gently before activation. [100% CORRECT]
Q14: Medication Administration – Sublingual Tablets
A PN is administering a sublingual tablet. Which instruction is correct?
ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED TEST BANK
2026/2027 | PHARMACOLOGY | 200 VERIFIED Q&A |
DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-ALIGNED | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION & SAFETY – Questions 1–30
Q1: Medication Administration – Enteral Tube Verification
A PN is preparing to administer medications through a client's nasogastric tube. Which action should
the PN take first?
A. Flush the tube with 30 mL of water
B. Verify tube placement by checking pH of aspirate
C. Administer medications one at a time
D. Position the client supine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verify tube placement before administering anything. Check pH of aspirate (gastric pH
<5.5) and/or X-ray. Then flush, administer medications one at a time, and position upright. [100%
CORRECT]
Q2: Medication Administration – Ear Drops (Pediatric)
A PN is instilling ear drops in a 2-year-old child. Which action is correct?
A. Pull the pinna up and back
B. Pull the pinna down and back
C. Pull the pinna straight out
D. Pull the pinna forward
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For children under 3, pull the pinna down and back to straighten the ear canal. For adults
and children over 3, pull up and back. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Medication Administration – Eye Ointment
A PN is applying eye ointment. The PN should apply:
A. A thick ribbon from outer to inner canthus
B. A thin ribbon from inner to outer canthus
C. Directly onto the cornea
D. With a cotton-tipped applicator
,2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apply a thin ribbon of ointment from inner to outer canthus, avoiding the cornea. Use a
separate tube for each eye if infection is present. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Medication Administration – Rectal Suppository (Adult)
A PN is inserting a rectal suppository. The PN should insert the suppository:
A. Just past the internal sphincter
B. 3 inches into the rectum
C. 4 inches into the rectum
D. Just inside the anal canal
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Insert the suppository past the internal sphincter (about 1–1.5 inches for adults) to
prevent expulsion. Lubricate with water-soluble lubricant. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Medication Administration – Intradermal Injection
A PN is administering an intradermal injection. Which site is preferred?
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Inner forearm
D. Ventrogluteal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Intradermal injections (e.g., TB skin test) are given into the inner forearm. A small wheal
should form. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Medication Administration – Subcutaneous Injection Angle
A PN is administering a subcutaneous injection to an average-sized client. The needle should be
inserted at:
A. 15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 30 degrees
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Subcutaneous injection: 45 degrees for average client, 90 degrees for obese client. [100%
CORRECT]
Q7: Medication Administration – Intramuscular Injection Site
,3
A PN is administering an IM injection to an adult. Which site is preferred?
A. Deltoid
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Dorsogluteal
D. Vastus lateralis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ventrogluteal is the preferred IM site for adults: free of major nerves and blood vessels.
[100% CORRECT]
Q8: Medication Administration – Z-Track Technique
A PN is using the Z-track technique for an IM injection. Which action is correct?
A. Pull the skin laterally before injecting
B. Pinch the skin before injecting
C. Massage the site after injecting
D. Aspirate before injecting
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Z-track: pull the skin laterally, inject, withdraw, then release the skin. This prevents
medication from leaking into subcutaneous tissue. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: 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]
Q10: 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."
Correct Answer: B
, 4
Rationale: Unopened insulin: refrigerate. Opened insulin: room temperature for up to 28 days. Do
not freeze. Do not shake vigorously; roll gently. [100% CORRECT]
Q11: Medication Administration – Heparin Flush
A PN is administering a heparin flush through a central line. The purpose is to:
A. Prevent infection
B. Maintain patency of the catheter
C. Anticoagulate the client
D. Dissolve clots
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Heparin flush maintains patency of central venous catheters. It is not for systemic
anticoagulation. [100% CORRECT]
Q12: Medication Administration – Transdermal Patch
A PN is applying a transdermal patch. Which action is correct?
A. Apply to hairy skin
B. Rotate application sites
C. Apply to the same site each time
D. Cut the patch to adjust the dose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rotate application sites to prevent skin irritation. Apply to clean, hairless skin. Do not cut
patches. [100% CORRECT]
Q13: Medication Administration – Metered-Dose Inhaler
A client is learning to use a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which instruction is correct?
A. Inhale rapidly and deeply
B. Hold breath for 10 seconds after inhalation
C. Use without a spacer
D. Exhale forcefully before activating the inhaler
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hold breath for 10 seconds after inhalation to allow medication to reach airways. Use a
spacer if available. Exhale gently before activation. [100% CORRECT]
Q14: Medication Administration – Sublingual Tablets
A PN is administering a sublingual tablet. Which instruction is correct?
