___________________________________________________________________
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 assessing a client who is receiving IV vancomycin. Which finding
requires immediate attention?
A. Mild nausea
B. Flushing of the face and neck during infusion
C. Increased appetite
D. Constipation
Answer: Flushing of the face and neck during infusion
Rationale: Rapid infusion of vancomycin can cause a histamine-mediated
reaction known as vancomycin infusion reaction, characterized by flushing,
hypotension, and pruritus. The infusion should be slowed or stopped according
to the severity and prescribed protocol.
, 2. A client taking clozapine should have which laboratory value monitored
regularly?
A. Absolute neutrophil count
B. Serum calcium
C. Amylase
D. INR
Answer: Absolute neutrophil count
Rationale: Clozapine can cause severe neutropenia or agranulocytosis. Regular
monitoring of the absolute neutrophil count is required to reduce the risk of
serious infection.
3. Which finding in a client taking clozapine should be reported immediately?
A. Fever and sore throat
B. Mild thirst
C. Increased appetite
D. Occasional headache
Answer: Fever and sore throat
Rationale: Fever and sore throat can indicate neutropenia or agranulocytosis.
Prompt evaluation is necessary because the client can develop a serious
infection.
4. A nurse is teaching a client who takes carbamazepine. Which finding should
the client report immediately?
A. Sore throat and fever
B. Mild hunger
C. Occasional sneezing
D. Increased thirst
Answer: Sore throat and fever
,Rationale: Carbamazepine can cause serious blood dyscrasias, including
agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia. Infection-related symptoms require
prompt evaluation.
5. Which medication is commonly used to treat acute mania in bipolar
disorder?
A. Lithium
B. Omeprazole
C. Furosemide
D. Amoxicillin
Answer: Lithium
Rationale: Lithium is a mood stabilizer commonly used for the treatment and
prevention of manic episodes in bipolar disorder.
6. Which laboratory value is especially important to monitor for a client
receiving lithium?
A. Serum lithium concentration
B. INR
C. Troponin
D. Serum amylase
Answer: Serum lithium concentration
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range. Serum concentrations help
ensure therapeutic effectiveness while reducing the risk of toxicity. Renal and
thyroid function should also be monitored.
7. A client taking lithium develops coarse tremors, ataxia, and confusion.
What should the nurse suspect?
A. Lithium toxicity
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hypertension
D. Iron deficiency
, Answer: Lithium toxicity
Rationale: Coarse tremors, ataxia, confusion, vomiting, and severe diarrhea can
indicate lithium toxicity and require prompt evaluation.
8. Which medication can increase lithium levels and increase the risk of
toxicity?
A. Hydrochlorothiazide
B. Acetaminophen
C. Amoxicillin
D. Albuterol
Answer: Hydrochlorothiazide
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics can decrease renal lithium clearance and increase
lithium concentrations. Clients taking lithium require careful medication
interaction monitoring.
9. A client prescribed fluoxetine asks when therapeutic effects may become
noticeable. Which response is appropriate?
A. "You should notice the full effect within a few minutes."
B. "Therapeutic effects can take several weeks to become evident."
C. "The medication works only when you feel depressed."
D. "You should stop taking it once your mood improves."
Answer: Therapeutic effects can take several weeks to become evident.
Rationale: SSRIs generally require several weeks for full therapeutic effects.
Clients should continue taking the medication as prescribed and should not
discontinue it independently.
10.Which finding is concerning for serotonin syndrome?
A. Hyperreflexia and agitation
B. Bradycardia and constipation
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 assessing a client who is receiving IV vancomycin. Which finding
requires immediate attention?
A. Mild nausea
B. Flushing of the face and neck during infusion
C. Increased appetite
D. Constipation
Answer: Flushing of the face and neck during infusion
Rationale: Rapid infusion of vancomycin can cause a histamine-mediated
reaction known as vancomycin infusion reaction, characterized by flushing,
hypotension, and pruritus. The infusion should be slowed or stopped according
to the severity and prescribed protocol.
, 2. A client taking clozapine should have which laboratory value monitored
regularly?
A. Absolute neutrophil count
B. Serum calcium
C. Amylase
D. INR
Answer: Absolute neutrophil count
Rationale: Clozapine can cause severe neutropenia or agranulocytosis. Regular
monitoring of the absolute neutrophil count is required to reduce the risk of
serious infection.
3. Which finding in a client taking clozapine should be reported immediately?
A. Fever and sore throat
B. Mild thirst
C. Increased appetite
D. Occasional headache
Answer: Fever and sore throat
Rationale: Fever and sore throat can indicate neutropenia or agranulocytosis.
Prompt evaluation is necessary because the client can develop a serious
infection.
4. A nurse is teaching a client who takes carbamazepine. Which finding should
the client report immediately?
A. Sore throat and fever
B. Mild hunger
C. Occasional sneezing
D. Increased thirst
Answer: Sore throat and fever
,Rationale: Carbamazepine can cause serious blood dyscrasias, including
agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia. Infection-related symptoms require
prompt evaluation.
5. Which medication is commonly used to treat acute mania in bipolar
disorder?
A. Lithium
B. Omeprazole
C. Furosemide
D. Amoxicillin
Answer: Lithium
Rationale: Lithium is a mood stabilizer commonly used for the treatment and
prevention of manic episodes in bipolar disorder.
6. Which laboratory value is especially important to monitor for a client
receiving lithium?
A. Serum lithium concentration
B. INR
C. Troponin
D. Serum amylase
Answer: Serum lithium concentration
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range. Serum concentrations help
ensure therapeutic effectiveness while reducing the risk of toxicity. Renal and
thyroid function should also be monitored.
7. A client taking lithium develops coarse tremors, ataxia, and confusion.
What should the nurse suspect?
A. Lithium toxicity
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hypertension
D. Iron deficiency
, Answer: Lithium toxicity
Rationale: Coarse tremors, ataxia, confusion, vomiting, and severe diarrhea can
indicate lithium toxicity and require prompt evaluation.
8. Which medication can increase lithium levels and increase the risk of
toxicity?
A. Hydrochlorothiazide
B. Acetaminophen
C. Amoxicillin
D. Albuterol
Answer: Hydrochlorothiazide
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics can decrease renal lithium clearance and increase
lithium concentrations. Clients taking lithium require careful medication
interaction monitoring.
9. A client prescribed fluoxetine asks when therapeutic effects may become
noticeable. Which response is appropriate?
A. "You should notice the full effect within a few minutes."
B. "Therapeutic effects can take several weeks to become evident."
C. "The medication works only when you feel depressed."
D. "You should stop taking it once your mood improves."
Answer: Therapeutic effects can take several weeks to become evident.
Rationale: SSRIs generally require several weeks for full therapeutic effects.
Clients should continue taking the medication as prescribed and should not
discontinue it independently.
10.Which finding is concerning for serotonin syndrome?
A. Hyperreflexia and agitation
B. Bradycardia and constipation
