1
ATI PN Pharmacology Exam with NGN
Complete Practice Q&A Bank with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales
Updated for 2025/2026 | Next Generation NCLEX Style
Question 1:
After instilling an eye drop that has a systemic effect, the nurse should press on which of
the following to prevent absorption into the circulation?
A) The bony orbit
B) The nasolacrimal duct
C) The conjunctival sac
D) The outer canthus of the eye
Correct Answer: B) The nasolacrimal duct
Rationale: The nurse should press on the client's nasolacrimal duct after instilling eye
drops to prevent the medication from absorbing into systemic circulation. This technique is
known as punctal occlusion and reduces systemic absorption of ophthalmic medications,
which is especially important for medications with significant systemic effects .
Question 2:
A nurse is performing the third check before administering hydromorphone to a client.
After opening the unit-dose packet, the client states they do not want to take the
medication now. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Return the medication to the automated dispensing cabinet for later use
B) Dispose of the medication with a second nurse as a witness
C) Document the refusal and store the opened medication at the nurse's station
D) Encourage the client to take the medication and reassess in 30 minutes
Correct Answer: B) Dispose of the medication with a second nurse as a witness
Sure pass
,2
Rationale: Hydromorphone is a Schedule II controlled substance. Once a controlled
substance is opened or prepared, it cannot be returned to stock if the client refuses it. The
nurse is legally required to have a second nurse witness the disposal of the medication and
document the waste according to facility and federal regulations .
Question 3:
A nurse is reviewing the medication administration record of a client who has an NG
tube. Which medication should the nurse plan to administer through the NG tube?
A) Lovastatin
B) Warfarin
C) Metoprolol
D) Furosemide
Correct Answer: C) Metoprolol
Rationale: Metoprolol tartrate (immediate-release) tablets can be crushed and safely given
via NG tube. Lovastatin is an extended-release formulation that should not be crushed as
it alters absorption. Warfarin and furosemide can be crushed if prescribed, but the nurse
must always verify compatibility with the specific tube type .
Question 4:
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that has a delayed-release capsule
formulation. The client cannot swallow capsules. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Crush the capsule and mix with applesauce
B) Open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on applesauce
C) Chew the capsule thoroughly before swallowing
D) Dissolve the capsule in a glass of water and drink immediately
Correct Answer: B) Open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on applesauce
Rationale: Delayed-release capsules contain enteric-coated granules that protect the drug
from stomach acid. The granules must not be crushed or chewed. However, the capsule
can be opened, and the granules can be sprinkled onto a small amount of soft food
(applesauce) and swallowed immediately without chewing .
Sure pass
,3
Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for tizanidine (Zanaflex) for relief of
muscle spasm following a back injury. Which of the following lab values should the
nurse expect to monitor while the client is taking this medication?
A) Serum creatinine
B) Liver enzymes
C) WBC count
D) RBC count
Correct Answer: B) Liver enzymes
Rationale: Tizanidine can cause hepatotoxicity and liver enzyme elevation. Liver function
tests should be monitored at baseline and periodically during therapy. The client should be
instructed to report signs of liver dysfunction such as jaundice, dark urine, or fatigue .
Question 6:
A nurse is reinforcing teaching to a client with asthma about how to use cromolyn
(Intal). Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that
apply)
A) Take the medication 15 minutes before exercising
B) Follow a fixed-dosage schedule for long-term control of asthma
C) Expect to lose weight while taking the medication
D) Observe for adverse effects such as tremors, restlessness, and palpitations
E) Do not crush or chew tablets
Correct Answer: A, B, E
Rationale: Cromolyn should be taken 15 minutes before exercising for prevention of
exercise-induced bronchospasm. It is used on a fixed schedule for long-term asthma
control. Tablets should not be crushed or chewed. Weight loss is not expected, and
tremors, restlessness, and palpitations are adverse effects of beta-agonists, not cromolyn .
Sure pass
, 4
Question 7:
A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client with a prescription for a beclomethasone
(QVAR) inhaler to be used for the long-term management of asthma. Which of the
following dietary supplements should the client be sure to consume in sufficient
amounts to prevent a deficiency while taking the QVAR inhaler?
A) Iron and Protein
B) Calcium and Vitamin D
C) Vitamin B12 and folic acid
D) Vitamin E and K
Correct Answer: B) Calcium and Vitamin D
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids like beclomethasone can decrease bone density over
time. Clients should ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake to prevent
osteoporosis. The nurse should encourage weight-bearing exercise and discuss the
importance of bone health monitoring .
Question 8:
A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed oral prednisone (Deltasone) for the
treatment of chronic asthma. The nurse should plan to monitor the client for which of
the following findings?
A) Weight loss
B) Infection
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Angina Pain
Correct Answer: B) Infection
Rationale: Prednisone is a corticosteroid that suppresses the immune system, increasing
the risk of infection. The nurse should monitor for signs of infection, including fever, sore
throat, and cough. Long-term use may also cause hyperglycemia, weight gain, and
osteoporosis .
Question 9:
A nurse is caring for a client who states she has been taking phenylephrine (Neo-
Sure pass
ATI PN Pharmacology Exam with NGN
Complete Practice Q&A Bank with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales
Updated for 2025/2026 | Next Generation NCLEX Style
Question 1:
After instilling an eye drop that has a systemic effect, the nurse should press on which of
the following to prevent absorption into the circulation?
A) The bony orbit
B) The nasolacrimal duct
C) The conjunctival sac
D) The outer canthus of the eye
Correct Answer: B) The nasolacrimal duct
Rationale: The nurse should press on the client's nasolacrimal duct after instilling eye
drops to prevent the medication from absorbing into systemic circulation. This technique is
known as punctal occlusion and reduces systemic absorption of ophthalmic medications,
which is especially important for medications with significant systemic effects .
Question 2:
A nurse is performing the third check before administering hydromorphone to a client.
After opening the unit-dose packet, the client states they do not want to take the
medication now. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Return the medication to the automated dispensing cabinet for later use
B) Dispose of the medication with a second nurse as a witness
C) Document the refusal and store the opened medication at the nurse's station
D) Encourage the client to take the medication and reassess in 30 minutes
Correct Answer: B) Dispose of the medication with a second nurse as a witness
Sure pass
,2
Rationale: Hydromorphone is a Schedule II controlled substance. Once a controlled
substance is opened or prepared, it cannot be returned to stock if the client refuses it. The
nurse is legally required to have a second nurse witness the disposal of the medication and
document the waste according to facility and federal regulations .
Question 3:
A nurse is reviewing the medication administration record of a client who has an NG
tube. Which medication should the nurse plan to administer through the NG tube?
A) Lovastatin
B) Warfarin
C) Metoprolol
D) Furosemide
Correct Answer: C) Metoprolol
Rationale: Metoprolol tartrate (immediate-release) tablets can be crushed and safely given
via NG tube. Lovastatin is an extended-release formulation that should not be crushed as
it alters absorption. Warfarin and furosemide can be crushed if prescribed, but the nurse
must always verify compatibility with the specific tube type .
Question 4:
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that has a delayed-release capsule
formulation. The client cannot swallow capsules. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Crush the capsule and mix with applesauce
B) Open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on applesauce
C) Chew the capsule thoroughly before swallowing
D) Dissolve the capsule in a glass of water and drink immediately
Correct Answer: B) Open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on applesauce
Rationale: Delayed-release capsules contain enteric-coated granules that protect the drug
from stomach acid. The granules must not be crushed or chewed. However, the capsule
can be opened, and the granules can be sprinkled onto a small amount of soft food
(applesauce) and swallowed immediately without chewing .
Sure pass
,3
Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for tizanidine (Zanaflex) for relief of
muscle spasm following a back injury. Which of the following lab values should the
nurse expect to monitor while the client is taking this medication?
A) Serum creatinine
B) Liver enzymes
C) WBC count
D) RBC count
Correct Answer: B) Liver enzymes
Rationale: Tizanidine can cause hepatotoxicity and liver enzyme elevation. Liver function
tests should be monitored at baseline and periodically during therapy. The client should be
instructed to report signs of liver dysfunction such as jaundice, dark urine, or fatigue .
Question 6:
A nurse is reinforcing teaching to a client with asthma about how to use cromolyn
(Intal). Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that
apply)
A) Take the medication 15 minutes before exercising
B) Follow a fixed-dosage schedule for long-term control of asthma
C) Expect to lose weight while taking the medication
D) Observe for adverse effects such as tremors, restlessness, and palpitations
E) Do not crush or chew tablets
Correct Answer: A, B, E
Rationale: Cromolyn should be taken 15 minutes before exercising for prevention of
exercise-induced bronchospasm. It is used on a fixed schedule for long-term asthma
control. Tablets should not be crushed or chewed. Weight loss is not expected, and
tremors, restlessness, and palpitations are adverse effects of beta-agonists, not cromolyn .
Sure pass
, 4
Question 7:
A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client with a prescription for a beclomethasone
(QVAR) inhaler to be used for the long-term management of asthma. Which of the
following dietary supplements should the client be sure to consume in sufficient
amounts to prevent a deficiency while taking the QVAR inhaler?
A) Iron and Protein
B) Calcium and Vitamin D
C) Vitamin B12 and folic acid
D) Vitamin E and K
Correct Answer: B) Calcium and Vitamin D
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids like beclomethasone can decrease bone density over
time. Clients should ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake to prevent
osteoporosis. The nurse should encourage weight-bearing exercise and discuss the
importance of bone health monitoring .
Question 8:
A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed oral prednisone (Deltasone) for the
treatment of chronic asthma. The nurse should plan to monitor the client for which of
the following findings?
A) Weight loss
B) Infection
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Angina Pain
Correct Answer: B) Infection
Rationale: Prednisone is a corticosteroid that suppresses the immune system, increasing
the risk of infection. The nurse should monitor for signs of infection, including fever, sore
throat, and cough. Long-term use may also cause hyperglycemia, weight gain, and
osteoporosis .
Question 9:
A nurse is caring for a client who states she has been taking phenylephrine (Neo-
Sure pass
