___________________________________________________________________
ATI Pharmacology Practice Exam 2026 |
100 Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | ATI RN Pharmacology
Exam Prep | Comprehensive Nursing
Pharmacology Study Guide | Updated
2026 Edition
________________________________________________________________
1. A nurse is teaching a client who is prescribed lisinopril. Which adverse
effect should the nurse instruct the client to report immediately?
A. Mild headache
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
D. Increased appetite
Answer: Swelling of the lips and tongue
Rationale: Angioedema is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of ACE
inhibitors such as lisinopril. Swelling of the lips, tongue, or airway requires
immediate intervention.
2. A client taking furosemide should be monitored for which electrolyte
imbalance?
,A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urinary potassium
excretion. The nurse should monitor potassium levels and assess for
manifestations such as muscle weakness and dysrhythmias.
3. A nurse is administering digoxin to a client. Which finding should cause the
nurse to withhold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse of 54/min
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
Answer: Apical pulse of 54/min
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The medication should generally be
withheld when the adult apical pulse is below 60/min and the provider should
be notified according to the prescription and facility policy.
4. Which medication is used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine
D. Vitamin K
Answer: Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-induced
respiratory depression and central nervous system depression.
, 5. A client taking warfarin should be taught to maintain a consistent intake of
which vitamin?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin K
Answer: Vitamin K
Rationale: Vitamin K can reduce the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Clients
should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K-containing foods rather than
abruptly eliminating them.
6. Which laboratory test is commonly used to monitor warfarin therapy?
A. INR
B. Serum amylase
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Serum sodium
Answer: INR
Rationale: The international normalized ratio (INR) is used to monitor the
therapeutic effect of warfarin and help guide dosage adjustments.
7. A client prescribed atorvastatin should be instructed to report which
finding?
A. Mild thirst
B. Muscle pain or weakness
C. Increased appetite
D. Occasional sneezing
Answer: Muscle pain or weakness
Rationale: Statins can cause myopathy and, rarely, rhabdomyolysis.
Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness should be reported.
, 8. A nurse is teaching a client who is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin.
Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Swallow the tablet with water.
B. Place the tablet under the tongue.
C. Take the tablet only after eating.
D. Store the medication in a weekly pill organizer.
Answer: Place the tablet under the tongue.
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is placed under the tongue for rapid
absorption during an acute episode of angina. It should be stored in its original
container according to product instructions.
9. Which medication reverses the effects of heparin?
A. Vitamin K
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: Protamine sulfate
Rationale: Protamine sulfate binds to and neutralizes heparin, reducing its
anticoagulant effect.
10.A client taking spironolactone should avoid excessive intake of which food?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. White rice
D. Bread
Answer: Bananas
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic and can cause
hyperkalemia. Foods high in potassium should not be consumed excessively
unless specifically recommended.
ATI Pharmacology Practice Exam 2026 |
100 Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | ATI RN Pharmacology
Exam Prep | Comprehensive Nursing
Pharmacology Study Guide | Updated
2026 Edition
________________________________________________________________
1. A nurse is teaching a client who is prescribed lisinopril. Which adverse
effect should the nurse instruct the client to report immediately?
A. Mild headache
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
D. Increased appetite
Answer: Swelling of the lips and tongue
Rationale: Angioedema is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of ACE
inhibitors such as lisinopril. Swelling of the lips, tongue, or airway requires
immediate intervention.
2. A client taking furosemide should be monitored for which electrolyte
imbalance?
,A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urinary potassium
excretion. The nurse should monitor potassium levels and assess for
manifestations such as muscle weakness and dysrhythmias.
3. A nurse is administering digoxin to a client. Which finding should cause the
nurse to withhold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse of 54/min
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
Answer: Apical pulse of 54/min
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The medication should generally be
withheld when the adult apical pulse is below 60/min and the provider should
be notified according to the prescription and facility policy.
4. Which medication is used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine
D. Vitamin K
Answer: Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-induced
respiratory depression and central nervous system depression.
, 5. A client taking warfarin should be taught to maintain a consistent intake of
which vitamin?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin K
Answer: Vitamin K
Rationale: Vitamin K can reduce the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Clients
should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K-containing foods rather than
abruptly eliminating them.
6. Which laboratory test is commonly used to monitor warfarin therapy?
A. INR
B. Serum amylase
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Serum sodium
Answer: INR
Rationale: The international normalized ratio (INR) is used to monitor the
therapeutic effect of warfarin and help guide dosage adjustments.
7. A client prescribed atorvastatin should be instructed to report which
finding?
A. Mild thirst
B. Muscle pain or weakness
C. Increased appetite
D. Occasional sneezing
Answer: Muscle pain or weakness
Rationale: Statins can cause myopathy and, rarely, rhabdomyolysis.
Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness should be reported.
, 8. A nurse is teaching a client who is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin.
Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Swallow the tablet with water.
B. Place the tablet under the tongue.
C. Take the tablet only after eating.
D. Store the medication in a weekly pill organizer.
Answer: Place the tablet under the tongue.
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is placed under the tongue for rapid
absorption during an acute episode of angina. It should be stored in its original
container according to product instructions.
9. Which medication reverses the effects of heparin?
A. Vitamin K
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: Protamine sulfate
Rationale: Protamine sulfate binds to and neutralizes heparin, reducing its
anticoagulant effect.
10.A client taking spironolactone should avoid excessive intake of which food?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. White rice
D. Bread
Answer: Bananas
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic and can cause
hyperkalemia. Foods high in potassium should not be consumed excessively
unless specifically recommended.
