, Actual ATI Pharmacology CMS Practice Bank: 200 Questions on Antihypertensives,
Anticoagulants, Insulins, Antibiotics, & Psychiatric Drugs
Exam Information
Assessment: ATI Pharmacology Content Mastery Series (CMS)
Target Audience: Nursing students preparing for the ATI Pharmacology proctored exam
Core Domains Covered: Safe medication administration, pharmacokinetics,
pharmacodynamics, adverse effects, contraindications, drug interactions, nursing priorities,
and patient education
Question Format: Multiple-choice, with answers and detailed rationales
Key Topics to Study
Category Specific Focus Areas
Cardiovascular Medications Antihypertensives, anticoagulants, antiarrhythmics,
cardiac glycosides, diuretics, lipid-lowering agents
Respiratory Medications Bronchodilators, corticosteroids, anticholinergics,
mucolytics, antitussives
Endocrine Medications Insulins, oral hypoglycemics, thyroid medications,
corticosteroids
Neurological/Psychiatric Antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants,
Medications anxiolytics, stimulants, Parkinson's medications
Antibiotics & Anti-infectives Penicillins, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides,
fluoroquinolones, antivirals, antifungals
, Gastrointestinal Medications Antacids, PPIs, H2 blockers, antiemetics, laxatives,
antidiarrheals
Pain Management Opioids, NSAIDs, acetaminophen, adjuvant
analgesics
Immunosuppressants & Corticosteroids, monoclonal antibodies,
Biologics immunomodulators
Fluid & Electrolyte Diuretics, electrolyte replacements, IV fluids
Medications
Safety & Administration High-alert medications, dosage calculations, error
prevention, patient education
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS (Questions 1-40)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
finding should the nurse report to the provider before administration?
A) Apical pulse of 72 bpm
B) Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
C) Serum digoxin level of 1.2 ng/mL
D) Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
Answer: B. Hypokalemia (serum potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity. The normal therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.8-2.0 ng/mL.
2. A client is prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor most closely?
, A) aPTT
B) PT/INR
C) Platelet count
D) Hemoglobin
Answer: B. Warfarin therapy is monitored by PT (prothrombin time) and INR (international
normalized ratio). The therapeutic INR range for atrial fibrillation is typically 2-3.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about sublingual nitroglycerin. Which instruction
should the nurse include?
A) "Take one tablet every 15 minutes up to 3 doses."
B) "Take one tablet every 5 minutes up to 3 doses."
C) "Take one tablet every 10 minutes up to 5 doses."
D) "Take one tablet every 30 minutes up to 2 doses."
Answer: B. Nitroglycerin should be taken every 5 minutes up to 3 doses. If chest pain
persists after 3 doses, the client should call 911 immediately.
4. A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which side effect should the
nurse monitor for?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Tachycardia
D) Weight gain
Answer: A. ACE inhibitors like lisinopril can cause hyperkalemia by reducing aldosterone
secretion. The nurse should monitor potassium levels and assess for muscle weakness and
dysrhythmias.
Anticoagulants, Insulins, Antibiotics, & Psychiatric Drugs
Exam Information
Assessment: ATI Pharmacology Content Mastery Series (CMS)
Target Audience: Nursing students preparing for the ATI Pharmacology proctored exam
Core Domains Covered: Safe medication administration, pharmacokinetics,
pharmacodynamics, adverse effects, contraindications, drug interactions, nursing priorities,
and patient education
Question Format: Multiple-choice, with answers and detailed rationales
Key Topics to Study
Category Specific Focus Areas
Cardiovascular Medications Antihypertensives, anticoagulants, antiarrhythmics,
cardiac glycosides, diuretics, lipid-lowering agents
Respiratory Medications Bronchodilators, corticosteroids, anticholinergics,
mucolytics, antitussives
Endocrine Medications Insulins, oral hypoglycemics, thyroid medications,
corticosteroids
Neurological/Psychiatric Antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants,
Medications anxiolytics, stimulants, Parkinson's medications
Antibiotics & Anti-infectives Penicillins, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides,
fluoroquinolones, antivirals, antifungals
, Gastrointestinal Medications Antacids, PPIs, H2 blockers, antiemetics, laxatives,
antidiarrheals
Pain Management Opioids, NSAIDs, acetaminophen, adjuvant
analgesics
Immunosuppressants & Corticosteroids, monoclonal antibodies,
Biologics immunomodulators
Fluid & Electrolyte Diuretics, electrolyte replacements, IV fluids
Medications
Safety & Administration High-alert medications, dosage calculations, error
prevention, patient education
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS (Questions 1-40)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
finding should the nurse report to the provider before administration?
A) Apical pulse of 72 bpm
B) Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
C) Serum digoxin level of 1.2 ng/mL
D) Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
Answer: B. Hypokalemia (serum potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity. The normal therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.8-2.0 ng/mL.
2. A client is prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor most closely?
, A) aPTT
B) PT/INR
C) Platelet count
D) Hemoglobin
Answer: B. Warfarin therapy is monitored by PT (prothrombin time) and INR (international
normalized ratio). The therapeutic INR range for atrial fibrillation is typically 2-3.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about sublingual nitroglycerin. Which instruction
should the nurse include?
A) "Take one tablet every 15 minutes up to 3 doses."
B) "Take one tablet every 5 minutes up to 3 doses."
C) "Take one tablet every 10 minutes up to 5 doses."
D) "Take one tablet every 30 minutes up to 2 doses."
Answer: B. Nitroglycerin should be taken every 5 minutes up to 3 doses. If chest pain
persists after 3 doses, the client should call 911 immediately.
4. A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which side effect should the
nurse monitor for?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Tachycardia
D) Weight gain
Answer: A. ACE inhibitors like lisinopril can cause hyperkalemia by reducing aldosterone
secretion. The nurse should monitor potassium levels and assess for muscle weakness and
dysrhythmias.
