ATI Pharmacology Practice A Top
Scoring Exam Questions Scored A+
A nurse is instructing a client on the application of nitroglycerin transdermal patches.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. "I should apply a patch every 5 minutes if I develop chest pain."
B. "I will take the patch off right after my evening meal."
C. "I will leave the patch off at least 1 day each week."
D. "I should discard the used patch by flushing it down the toilet." - CORRECT
ANSWER-Answer: B
B. Clients should remove the patch each evening for a medication free time of 12 to 14
hr before applying a new patch to avoid developing a tolerance to the medication's
effects.
A nurse receives a verbal order from the provider to administer morphine five milligrams
every 4 hours subcutaneously for severe pain as needed. The nurse should identify
which of the following entries as the correct format for the medication administration
record (MAR)?
A. MSO4 5 mg subcut every 4 hr PRN severe pain
B. Morphine 5 mg subcut every 4 hr PRN severe pain
C. MSO4 5 mg SQ every 4 hr PRN severe pain
D. Morphine 5.0 mg subcutaneously every 4 hr PRN severe pain - CORRECT
ANSWER-Answer: B
B. The nurse should identify this entry as the correct format for the MAR. The
medication name is spelled out and there are not any abbreviations from The Joint
Commission's "Do Not Use" list included in the transcription.
,A nurse is caring for a client who is taking acetazolamide for chronic open-angle
glaucoma. For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct the client
to monitor and report?
A. Tingling of fingers
B. Constipation
C. Weight gain
D. Oliguria - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: A
A. The nurse should instruct the client to report the adverse effect of paresthesia, a
tingling sensation in the extremities, when taking acetazolamide.
A nurse administers a dose of metformin to a client instead of the prescribed dose of
metoclopramide. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Report the incident to the charge nurse.
B. Notify the provider.
C. Check the client's blood glucose.
D. Fill out an incident report. - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: C
C. The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process is to assess the
client. The client is at risk for hypoglycemia. The nurse should monitor the client's blood
glucose and provide the client with a snack to reduce the risk for hypoglycemia.
A nurse is caring for a client who has cancer and is taking oral morphine and docusate
sodium. The nurse should instruct the client that taking the docusate sodium daily can
minimize which of the following adverse effects of morphine?
A. Constipation
B. Drowsiness
C. Facial flushing
D. Itching - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: A
, A. Constipation is a common adverse effect of morphine that can be minimized by
taking docusate sodium, a stool softener that promotes easier evacuation of stool by
increasing water and fat in the intestine.
A nurse is assessing a client's vital signs prior to the administration of PO digoxin. The
client's BP is 144/86 mm Hg, heart rate is 55/min, and respiratory rate is 20/min. The
nurse should withhold the medication and contact the provider for which of the following
findings?
A. Diastolic BP
B. Systolic BP
C. Heart rate
D. Respiratory rate - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: C
C. Digoxin slows the conduction rate through the SA and AV nodes, thereby decreasing
the heart rate. The nurse should withhold the medication and notify the provider for a
heart rate of 55/min because this is an early indication of digoxin toxicity.
A nurse is caring for a client who received 0.9% sodium chloride 1 L over 4 hr instead of
over 8 hr as prescribed. Which of the following information should the nurse enter as a
complete documentation of the incident?
A. IV fluid infused over 4 hr instead of the prescribed 8 hr. Client tolerated fluids well,
provider notified.
B. 0.9% sodium chloride 1 L IV infused over 4 hr. Vital signs stable, provider notified.
C. 1 L of 0.9% sodium chloride completed at 0900. Client denies shortness of breath.
D. IV fluid initiated at 0500. Lungs clear to auscultation. - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer:
B
B. The nurse should document the type and amount of fluid, how long it took to infuse,
provider notification, and the client's physical status.
Scoring Exam Questions Scored A+
A nurse is instructing a client on the application of nitroglycerin transdermal patches.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. "I should apply a patch every 5 minutes if I develop chest pain."
B. "I will take the patch off right after my evening meal."
C. "I will leave the patch off at least 1 day each week."
D. "I should discard the used patch by flushing it down the toilet." - CORRECT
ANSWER-Answer: B
B. Clients should remove the patch each evening for a medication free time of 12 to 14
hr before applying a new patch to avoid developing a tolerance to the medication's
effects.
A nurse receives a verbal order from the provider to administer morphine five milligrams
every 4 hours subcutaneously for severe pain as needed. The nurse should identify
which of the following entries as the correct format for the medication administration
record (MAR)?
A. MSO4 5 mg subcut every 4 hr PRN severe pain
B. Morphine 5 mg subcut every 4 hr PRN severe pain
C. MSO4 5 mg SQ every 4 hr PRN severe pain
D. Morphine 5.0 mg subcutaneously every 4 hr PRN severe pain - CORRECT
ANSWER-Answer: B
B. The nurse should identify this entry as the correct format for the MAR. The
medication name is spelled out and there are not any abbreviations from The Joint
Commission's "Do Not Use" list included in the transcription.
,A nurse is caring for a client who is taking acetazolamide for chronic open-angle
glaucoma. For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct the client
to monitor and report?
A. Tingling of fingers
B. Constipation
C. Weight gain
D. Oliguria - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: A
A. The nurse should instruct the client to report the adverse effect of paresthesia, a
tingling sensation in the extremities, when taking acetazolamide.
A nurse administers a dose of metformin to a client instead of the prescribed dose of
metoclopramide. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Report the incident to the charge nurse.
B. Notify the provider.
C. Check the client's blood glucose.
D. Fill out an incident report. - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: C
C. The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process is to assess the
client. The client is at risk for hypoglycemia. The nurse should monitor the client's blood
glucose and provide the client with a snack to reduce the risk for hypoglycemia.
A nurse is caring for a client who has cancer and is taking oral morphine and docusate
sodium. The nurse should instruct the client that taking the docusate sodium daily can
minimize which of the following adverse effects of morphine?
A. Constipation
B. Drowsiness
C. Facial flushing
D. Itching - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: A
, A. Constipation is a common adverse effect of morphine that can be minimized by
taking docusate sodium, a stool softener that promotes easier evacuation of stool by
increasing water and fat in the intestine.
A nurse is assessing a client's vital signs prior to the administration of PO digoxin. The
client's BP is 144/86 mm Hg, heart rate is 55/min, and respiratory rate is 20/min. The
nurse should withhold the medication and contact the provider for which of the following
findings?
A. Diastolic BP
B. Systolic BP
C. Heart rate
D. Respiratory rate - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: C
C. Digoxin slows the conduction rate through the SA and AV nodes, thereby decreasing
the heart rate. The nurse should withhold the medication and notify the provider for a
heart rate of 55/min because this is an early indication of digoxin toxicity.
A nurse is caring for a client who received 0.9% sodium chloride 1 L over 4 hr instead of
over 8 hr as prescribed. Which of the following information should the nurse enter as a
complete documentation of the incident?
A. IV fluid infused over 4 hr instead of the prescribed 8 hr. Client tolerated fluids well,
provider notified.
B. 0.9% sodium chloride 1 L IV infused over 4 hr. Vital signs stable, provider notified.
C. 1 L of 0.9% sodium chloride completed at 0900. Client denies shortness of breath.
D. IV fluid initiated at 0500. Lungs clear to auscultation. - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer:
B
B. The nurse should document the type and amount of fluid, how long it took to infuse,
provider notification, and the client's physical status.
