ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM TEST BANK 2025/2026 – UPDATED QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
FOR RN & PN NURSING STUDENTS] QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027.
Section One: Questions 1–100
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving intravenous vancomycin. The nurse notes the client has developed a red rash on the
face and neck. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer diphenhydramine
B. Slow the infusion rate
C. Stop the infusion
D. Notify the provider
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Slowing the infusion rate is the priority intervention for Red Man Syndrome, which is caused by a rapid infusion of
vancomycin.
A client is prescribed lisinopril. Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize?
A. Dry cough
B. Potassium level 5.2 mEq/L
C. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
D. Pedal edema
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that can cause hyperkalemia. A potassium level of 5.2 mEq/L is elevated and requires
immediate intervention.
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which action is essential before administration?
A. Check the client's blood pressure
B. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute
C. Monitor the client's daily weight
D. Check the serum creatinine level
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin slows heart rate; therefore, the apical pulse must be assessed for one full minute to ensure it is not below
the safe threshold.
A client is prescribed warfarin. Which international normalized ratio (INR) result should the nurse report to the provider?
A. 1.5
B. 2.5
C. 3.0
,D. 3.5
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: The therapeutic range for INR for most clients on warfarin is 2.0 to 3.0. An INR of 1.5 is subtherapeutic, indicating
the client is at risk for clotting.
A client is receiving gentamicin. Which manifestation should the nurse monitor for as an adverse effect?
A. Tinnitus
B. Blurred vision
C. Hypertension
D. Dry mouth
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside known to cause ototoxicity, with tinnitus being an early sign of damage to the
eighth cranial nerve.
A nurse is teaching a client about taking alendronate. What instruction should the nurse include?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of milk
B. Lie down for 30 minutes after taking
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach
D. Take the medication with a multivitamin
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Alendronate must be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water, and the client must remain upright for 30
minutes to prevent esophageal irritation.
A nurse is caring for a client receiving heparin infusion. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Hematocrit
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is used to monitor the therapeutic efficacy of heparin therapy.
A client is prescribed phenytoin. Which assessment is priority?
A. Skin integrity
B. Respiratory rate
C. Gingival hyperplasia
D. Blood glucose
, 🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Gingival hyperplasia is a common adverse effect of phenytoin, requiring frequent dental checkups and oral hygiene
instruction.
A nurse is administering furosemide. Which finding indicates the medication is effective?
A. Decreased blood pressure
B. Increased serum sodium
C. Decreased urinary output
D. Increased serum potassium
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to treat hypertension and fluid overload. A decrease in blood pressure indicates
the therapeutic effect.
A client with asthma is prescribed beclomethasone. What should the nurse teach the client to do after using this inhaler?
A. Rinse mouth with water
B. Take a deep breath
C. Use a spacer
D. Wait 5 minutes before the next dose
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Corticosteroid inhalers can cause oral candidiasis; rinsing the mouth after use prevents this infection.
A nurse is administering morphine sulfate. Which finding is the most concerning?
A. Constipation
B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
C. Sedation
D. Urinary retention
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Morphine is an opioid that causes respiratory depression. A rate of 8/min is dangerously low and requires immediate
intervention.
A client is prescribed levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which statement indicates the client understands the medication teaching?
A. I will take it before breakfast
B. I will take it with my calcium supplement
C. I will take it before bed
D. I will expect symptoms to resolve in 2 days
🟢A
FOR RN & PN NURSING STUDENTS] QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027.
Section One: Questions 1–100
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving intravenous vancomycin. The nurse notes the client has developed a red rash on the
face and neck. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer diphenhydramine
B. Slow the infusion rate
C. Stop the infusion
D. Notify the provider
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Slowing the infusion rate is the priority intervention for Red Man Syndrome, which is caused by a rapid infusion of
vancomycin.
A client is prescribed lisinopril. Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize?
A. Dry cough
B. Potassium level 5.2 mEq/L
C. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
D. Pedal edema
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that can cause hyperkalemia. A potassium level of 5.2 mEq/L is elevated and requires
immediate intervention.
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which action is essential before administration?
A. Check the client's blood pressure
B. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute
C. Monitor the client's daily weight
D. Check the serum creatinine level
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin slows heart rate; therefore, the apical pulse must be assessed for one full minute to ensure it is not below
the safe threshold.
A client is prescribed warfarin. Which international normalized ratio (INR) result should the nurse report to the provider?
A. 1.5
B. 2.5
C. 3.0
,D. 3.5
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: The therapeutic range for INR for most clients on warfarin is 2.0 to 3.0. An INR of 1.5 is subtherapeutic, indicating
the client is at risk for clotting.
A client is receiving gentamicin. Which manifestation should the nurse monitor for as an adverse effect?
A. Tinnitus
B. Blurred vision
C. Hypertension
D. Dry mouth
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside known to cause ototoxicity, with tinnitus being an early sign of damage to the
eighth cranial nerve.
A nurse is teaching a client about taking alendronate. What instruction should the nurse include?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of milk
B. Lie down for 30 minutes after taking
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach
D. Take the medication with a multivitamin
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Alendronate must be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water, and the client must remain upright for 30
minutes to prevent esophageal irritation.
A nurse is caring for a client receiving heparin infusion. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Hematocrit
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is used to monitor the therapeutic efficacy of heparin therapy.
A client is prescribed phenytoin. Which assessment is priority?
A. Skin integrity
B. Respiratory rate
C. Gingival hyperplasia
D. Blood glucose
, 🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Gingival hyperplasia is a common adverse effect of phenytoin, requiring frequent dental checkups and oral hygiene
instruction.
A nurse is administering furosemide. Which finding indicates the medication is effective?
A. Decreased blood pressure
B. Increased serum sodium
C. Decreased urinary output
D. Increased serum potassium
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to treat hypertension and fluid overload. A decrease in blood pressure indicates
the therapeutic effect.
A client with asthma is prescribed beclomethasone. What should the nurse teach the client to do after using this inhaler?
A. Rinse mouth with water
B. Take a deep breath
C. Use a spacer
D. Wait 5 minutes before the next dose
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Corticosteroid inhalers can cause oral candidiasis; rinsing the mouth after use prevents this infection.
A nurse is administering morphine sulfate. Which finding is the most concerning?
A. Constipation
B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
C. Sedation
D. Urinary retention
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Morphine is an opioid that causes respiratory depression. A rate of 8/min is dangerously low and requires immediate
intervention.
A client is prescribed levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which statement indicates the client understands the medication teaching?
A. I will take it before breakfast
B. I will take it with my calcium supplement
C. I will take it before bed
D. I will expect symptoms to resolve in 2 days
🟢A
