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ATI PN Pharmacology Level 3 Proctored Exam 2023 with
NGN All 60 Questions With Answers
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Exam Overview & NGN Update
The PN Pharmacology proctored exam tests your ability to safely administer
medications and monitor their effects within the practical nursing scope. The
2026 version includes Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) items that assess clinical
judgment.
• Total Scored Questions: Approximately 60
• NGN Item Types: Bow-Tie, Matrix (Grid), Cloze (Drop-Down), Extended
Multiple Response (SATA), Highlight
• Core Content Areas: Cardiovascular, Endocrine, CNS, Respiratory, GI, Anti-
infective, and General Pharmacology Principles
Section 1: General Pharmacology Principles (1–10)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client who has
dysphagia. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Crush all of the client's medications and mix them with applesauce.
B. Have the client sit upright and slightly tilt the head forward when swallowing.
C. Administer the medication quickly with a large volume of thin liquid.
D. Place the client in a supine position to facilitate swallowing.
Answer: B. Positioning the client upright and tilting the head forward (chin tuck)
helps close the airway and promotes safer swallowing. Thin liquids (C) increase
aspiration risk in clients with dysphagia; thickened liquids are often needed. Not
all medications should be crushed (A), and supine (D) increases aspiration risk.
2. A nurse is administering a transdermal patch to a client. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Apply the new patch to the same site as the previous one.
B. Shave the skin if hair is present.
C. Apply lotion to the skin before placing the patch.
D. Dispose of the old patch in a regular wastebasket.
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Answer: B. Hair may prevent proper adhesion. If the skin is hairy, it should be
clipped or shaved. Sites must be rotated to prevent irritation (A is incorrect).
Lotion (C) forms a barrier that prevents absorption. Old patches should be folded
in half and disposed of safely (often in a sharps container or as facility policy for
medication disposal) because they contain residual medication.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection to a 2-year-old child. Which
site should the nurse select?
A. Dorsogluteal
B. Deltoid
C. Vastus lateralis
D. Ventrogluteal
Answer: C. The vastus lateralis is the preferred IM site for infants and young
children because it is well-developed and free of major nerves and vessels. The
dorsogluteal (A) is not used in children under 3 due to underdevelopment. The
deltoid (B) is too small for toddlers. The ventrogluteal (D) is safe for children but
not the first choice for this age group.
4. A client is receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) via a central line. The PN
solution runs out and the new bag hasn't arrived. What should the nurse hang
at the same rate?
A. 0.9% sodium chloride
B. Lactated Ringer's
C. 10% dextrose in water
D. Sterile water
Answer: C. Abruptly stopping PN can cause rebound hypoglycemia. Infusing 10%
dextrose in water at the same rate prevents this until the new solution is
available. Hypoglycemia is a greater immediate risk than hyperglycemia in this
short window.
pg. 4
ATI PN Pharmacology Level 3 Proctored Exam 2023 with
NGN All 60 Questions With Answers
pg. 1
,2
pg. 2
,3
Exam Overview & NGN Update
The PN Pharmacology proctored exam tests your ability to safely administer
medications and monitor their effects within the practical nursing scope. The
2026 version includes Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) items that assess clinical
judgment.
• Total Scored Questions: Approximately 60
• NGN Item Types: Bow-Tie, Matrix (Grid), Cloze (Drop-Down), Extended
Multiple Response (SATA), Highlight
• Core Content Areas: Cardiovascular, Endocrine, CNS, Respiratory, GI, Anti-
infective, and General Pharmacology Principles
Section 1: General Pharmacology Principles (1–10)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client who has
dysphagia. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Crush all of the client's medications and mix them with applesauce.
B. Have the client sit upright and slightly tilt the head forward when swallowing.
C. Administer the medication quickly with a large volume of thin liquid.
D. Place the client in a supine position to facilitate swallowing.
Answer: B. Positioning the client upright and tilting the head forward (chin tuck)
helps close the airway and promotes safer swallowing. Thin liquids (C) increase
aspiration risk in clients with dysphagia; thickened liquids are often needed. Not
all medications should be crushed (A), and supine (D) increases aspiration risk.
2. A nurse is administering a transdermal patch to a client. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Apply the new patch to the same site as the previous one.
B. Shave the skin if hair is present.
C. Apply lotion to the skin before placing the patch.
D. Dispose of the old patch in a regular wastebasket.
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, 4
Answer: B. Hair may prevent proper adhesion. If the skin is hairy, it should be
clipped or shaved. Sites must be rotated to prevent irritation (A is incorrect).
Lotion (C) forms a barrier that prevents absorption. Old patches should be folded
in half and disposed of safely (often in a sharps container or as facility policy for
medication disposal) because they contain residual medication.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection to a 2-year-old child. Which
site should the nurse select?
A. Dorsogluteal
B. Deltoid
C. Vastus lateralis
D. Ventrogluteal
Answer: C. The vastus lateralis is the preferred IM site for infants and young
children because it is well-developed and free of major nerves and vessels. The
dorsogluteal (A) is not used in children under 3 due to underdevelopment. The
deltoid (B) is too small for toddlers. The ventrogluteal (D) is safe for children but
not the first choice for this age group.
4. A client is receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) via a central line. The PN
solution runs out and the new bag hasn't arrived. What should the nurse hang
at the same rate?
A. 0.9% sodium chloride
B. Lactated Ringer's
C. 10% dextrose in water
D. Sterile water
Answer: C. Abruptly stopping PN can cause rebound hypoglycemia. Infusing 10%
dextrose in water at the same rate prevents this until the new solution is
available. Hypoglycemia is a greater immediate risk than hyperglycemia in this
short window.
pg. 4
