ATI Dosage Calculation And Safe Medication
Administration Test Of The Actual ATI Assessments,
And Each Includes A Detailed Rationale
This exam is divided into sections based on the standard ATI modules. Use this to assess
your knowledge and identify areas for further review.
1. A nurse is assisting with the orientation of a newly licensed nurse. The nurse should
explain that it is important to have a second nurse review the dosage of high-alert
medications, such as heparin and insulin, for which of the following reasons?
A. The medications require a specific monitoring protocol.
B. The medications are prescribed frequently on the unit.
C. Dosage errors have the potential for significant harm to the client.
D. The pharmacy requires a co-signature for these medications.
Answer: C
Rationale: High-alert medications are drugs that bear a heightened risk of causing
significant patient harm when used in error. Although monitoring (A) and frequency (B)
may be factors, the primary reason for a double-check is patient safety due to the high
potential for severe adverse effects if an error occurs .
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is to receive omeprazole (Prilosec) 40 mg PO daily.
The client tells the nurse that the pill is too hard to swallow. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Crush the pill and mix it with applesauce.
B. Request a liquid form of the medication from the pharmacy.
C. Cut the pill in half to make it smaller.
D. Instruct the client to try swallowing the pill with a larger sip of water.
, Answer: B
Rationale: Many oral medications, including omeprazole, are enteric-coated or sustained-
release and should not be crushed, cut, or chewed (A, C). Doing so can alter the
medication's absorption and effectiveness or cause irritation. The safest action is to obtain
an appropriate formulation, such as a liquid, from the pharmacy .
3. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin subcutaneously to a client. The nurse
should document the administration of the medication immediately after which action?
A. Selecting the correct injection site.
B. Checking the client's blood glucose level.
C. Withdrawing the insulin from the vial.
D. Injecting the insulin.
Answer: D
Rationale: To prevent medication errors, documentation should occur immediately after
the medication is administered to the client, not before or after a preparatory step .
4. A nurse is reviewing a client's prescriptions. Which of the following prescriptions
should the nurse contact the provider to clarify?
A. Furosemide 40 mg IV push now.
B. Morphine 2.5 mg IV bolus PRN for incisional pain.
C. Acetaminophen 650 mg PO every 4 hours PRN for headache.
D. Enoxaparin 30 mg subcutaneously every 12 hours.
Answer: B
Rationale: A complete medication prescription must include the client's name, date and
time of the prescription, medication name, dose, route, frequency, and the provider's
signature. The prescription for morphine is missing the frequency of administration,
making it incomplete and requiring clarification .
Administration Test Of The Actual ATI Assessments,
And Each Includes A Detailed Rationale
This exam is divided into sections based on the standard ATI modules. Use this to assess
your knowledge and identify areas for further review.
1. A nurse is assisting with the orientation of a newly licensed nurse. The nurse should
explain that it is important to have a second nurse review the dosage of high-alert
medications, such as heparin and insulin, for which of the following reasons?
A. The medications require a specific monitoring protocol.
B. The medications are prescribed frequently on the unit.
C. Dosage errors have the potential for significant harm to the client.
D. The pharmacy requires a co-signature for these medications.
Answer: C
Rationale: High-alert medications are drugs that bear a heightened risk of causing
significant patient harm when used in error. Although monitoring (A) and frequency (B)
may be factors, the primary reason for a double-check is patient safety due to the high
potential for severe adverse effects if an error occurs .
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is to receive omeprazole (Prilosec) 40 mg PO daily.
The client tells the nurse that the pill is too hard to swallow. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Crush the pill and mix it with applesauce.
B. Request a liquid form of the medication from the pharmacy.
C. Cut the pill in half to make it smaller.
D. Instruct the client to try swallowing the pill with a larger sip of water.
, Answer: B
Rationale: Many oral medications, including omeprazole, are enteric-coated or sustained-
release and should not be crushed, cut, or chewed (A, C). Doing so can alter the
medication's absorption and effectiveness or cause irritation. The safest action is to obtain
an appropriate formulation, such as a liquid, from the pharmacy .
3. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin subcutaneously to a client. The nurse
should document the administration of the medication immediately after which action?
A. Selecting the correct injection site.
B. Checking the client's blood glucose level.
C. Withdrawing the insulin from the vial.
D. Injecting the insulin.
Answer: D
Rationale: To prevent medication errors, documentation should occur immediately after
the medication is administered to the client, not before or after a preparatory step .
4. A nurse is reviewing a client's prescriptions. Which of the following prescriptions
should the nurse contact the provider to clarify?
A. Furosemide 40 mg IV push now.
B. Morphine 2.5 mg IV bolus PRN for incisional pain.
C. Acetaminophen 650 mg PO every 4 hours PRN for headache.
D. Enoxaparin 30 mg subcutaneously every 12 hours.
Answer: B
Rationale: A complete medication prescription must include the client's name, date and
time of the prescription, medication name, dose, route, frequency, and the provider's
signature. The prescription for morphine is missing the frequency of administration,
making it incomplete and requiring clarification .
