ATI RN Pharmacology Proctored Exam
2026 Study Guide | Practice Questions, Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Comprehensive
Nursing Review
THIS STUDY GUIDE INCLUDES:
• Comprehensive ATI RN Pharmacology practice questions
• Detailed answer explanations and rationales
• High-yield medication classifications
• Drug mechanisms of action
• Common side effects and adverse reactions
• Contraindications and precautions
• Nursing interventions and patient education
• Dosage calculation review
• Priority nursing concepts
• NCLEX-style pharmacology practice
• Exam preparation tips
• Updated review content for 2026 nursing students
,ATI RN Pharmacology Proctored Exam 2026 Study Guide
| Practice Questions, Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Comprehensive Nursing Review
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of warfarin to a
client. Which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse review
prior to administration?
A. PT
B. Total iron-binding capacity
C. WBC
D. PTT
Correct Answer: A. PT
Explanation: Prothrombin time (PT) is the primary laboratory test used to
monitor warfarin therapy. Warfarin is an anticoagulant that works by
inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X), and PT
measures the extrinsic pathway, which is affected by warfarin. The
therapeutic range for PT is typically 1.5-2 times the control value. PTT is
used to monitor heparin therapy, not warfarin. WBC and total iron-binding
capacity are not relevant to warfarin monitoring.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following
situations requires an incident report?
A. Client experiences a seizure.
B. A client vomits after receiving an oral medication.
,C. A client receives their insulin 1 hour before scheduled.
D. A client receives their meal tray 20 min late.
Correct Answer: C. A client receives their insulin 1 hour before
scheduled.
Explanation: An incident report is required for any medication error,
including administration at the wrong time. Insulin administration 1 hour
before the scheduled time constitutes a medication administration error
that could result in hypoglycemia. Seizures are expected clinical events in
some clients and do not automatically require an incident report unless
there was negligence. Vomiting after medication and delayed meal trays
are not typically considered incidents requiring formal reporting unless
they cause harm.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client who has received oxycodone. The nurse
notes that the client's respiratory rate is 8/min. The nurse should
identify that which of the following is the pathophysiology for the
client's respiratory rate?
A. Oxycodone blocks the sodium channel suspending nerve conduction.
B. Oxycodone promotes vasodilation of cranial arteries.
C. Oxycodone causes central nervous system depression.
D. Oxycodone inhibits prostaglandin synthesis.
Correct Answer: C. Oxycodone causes central nervous system
depression.
Explanation: Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic that works by binding to
mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, causing CNS
depression. This includes respiratory depression by reducing the sensitivity
, of the brainstem respiratory centers to carbon dioxide. A respiratory rate of
8/min indicates significant respiratory depression, a life-threatening
adverse effect of opioids. Option A describes local anesthetics, B describes
nitroglycerin, and D describes NSAIDs.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to administer cefazolin 1 g in 0.9% sodium
chloride 100 ml via intermittent IV bolus over 30 min. The drop factor
of the manual IV tubing is 15 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the manual
IV infusion to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round the answer to the
nearest whole number.)
Correct Answer: 50 gtt/min
Explanation: To calculate the drip rate:
• Volume = 100 mL
• Time = 30 minutes
• Drop factor = 15 gtt/mL
Formula: (Volume × Drop factor) ÷ Time = (100 mL × 15 gtt/mL) ÷ 30 min
= 1500 ÷ 30 = 50 gtt/min
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for nifedipine.
Which of the following findings should the nurse assess prior to
administration of the medication?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
2026 Study Guide | Practice Questions, Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Comprehensive
Nursing Review
THIS STUDY GUIDE INCLUDES:
• Comprehensive ATI RN Pharmacology practice questions
• Detailed answer explanations and rationales
• High-yield medication classifications
• Drug mechanisms of action
• Common side effects and adverse reactions
• Contraindications and precautions
• Nursing interventions and patient education
• Dosage calculation review
• Priority nursing concepts
• NCLEX-style pharmacology practice
• Exam preparation tips
• Updated review content for 2026 nursing students
,ATI RN Pharmacology Proctored Exam 2026 Study Guide
| Practice Questions, Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Comprehensive Nursing Review
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of warfarin to a
client. Which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse review
prior to administration?
A. PT
B. Total iron-binding capacity
C. WBC
D. PTT
Correct Answer: A. PT
Explanation: Prothrombin time (PT) is the primary laboratory test used to
monitor warfarin therapy. Warfarin is an anticoagulant that works by
inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X), and PT
measures the extrinsic pathway, which is affected by warfarin. The
therapeutic range for PT is typically 1.5-2 times the control value. PTT is
used to monitor heparin therapy, not warfarin. WBC and total iron-binding
capacity are not relevant to warfarin monitoring.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following
situations requires an incident report?
A. Client experiences a seizure.
B. A client vomits after receiving an oral medication.
,C. A client receives their insulin 1 hour before scheduled.
D. A client receives their meal tray 20 min late.
Correct Answer: C. A client receives their insulin 1 hour before
scheduled.
Explanation: An incident report is required for any medication error,
including administration at the wrong time. Insulin administration 1 hour
before the scheduled time constitutes a medication administration error
that could result in hypoglycemia. Seizures are expected clinical events in
some clients and do not automatically require an incident report unless
there was negligence. Vomiting after medication and delayed meal trays
are not typically considered incidents requiring formal reporting unless
they cause harm.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client who has received oxycodone. The nurse
notes that the client's respiratory rate is 8/min. The nurse should
identify that which of the following is the pathophysiology for the
client's respiratory rate?
A. Oxycodone blocks the sodium channel suspending nerve conduction.
B. Oxycodone promotes vasodilation of cranial arteries.
C. Oxycodone causes central nervous system depression.
D. Oxycodone inhibits prostaglandin synthesis.
Correct Answer: C. Oxycodone causes central nervous system
depression.
Explanation: Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic that works by binding to
mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, causing CNS
depression. This includes respiratory depression by reducing the sensitivity
, of the brainstem respiratory centers to carbon dioxide. A respiratory rate of
8/min indicates significant respiratory depression, a life-threatening
adverse effect of opioids. Option A describes local anesthetics, B describes
nitroglycerin, and D describes NSAIDs.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to administer cefazolin 1 g in 0.9% sodium
chloride 100 ml via intermittent IV bolus over 30 min. The drop factor
of the manual IV tubing is 15 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the manual
IV infusion to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round the answer to the
nearest whole number.)
Correct Answer: 50 gtt/min
Explanation: To calculate the drip rate:
• Volume = 100 mL
• Time = 30 minutes
• Drop factor = 15 gtt/mL
Formula: (Volume × Drop factor) ÷ Time = (100 mL × 15 gtt/mL) ÷ 30 min
= 1500 ÷ 30 = 50 gtt/min
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for nifedipine.
Which of the following findings should the nurse assess prior to
administration of the medication?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
