ATI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM PREP –
ULTIMATE QUESTION BANK (150+
Questions) WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
AND IN-DEPTH RATIONALES 2026 WITH
RATIONALES AND ANSWERS AT THE END
OF THE QUESTIONS !
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR & HEMATOLOGIC SYSTEM (Questions 1-25)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer heparin subcutaneously to a client. Which action
should the nurse take?
A) Massage the injection site after administration.
B) Expel the air bubble from the prefilled syringe.
C) Administer the injection in the abdomen at least 2 inches away from the umbilicus.
D) Use a 22-gauge needle for administration.
2. A client is prescribed digoxin and furosemide. The nurse should monitor the client for
which adverse effect?
A) Hyperkalemia.
B) Hypokalemia, which increases the risk of digoxin toxicity.
C) Hypermagnesemia.
D) Hypocalcemia.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for warfarin.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will use a soft-bristled toothbrush."
B) "I will avoid eating large amounts of leafy green vegetables."
,C) "I will take ibuprofen for my frequent headaches."
D) "I will report any bruising or bleeding to my doctor."
4. A client is receiving IV heparin. The nurse notes the aPTT is 120 seconds (therapeutic
range is 60-80 seconds). Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?
A) Vitamin K.
B) Protamine sulfate.
C) Naloxone.
D) Flumazenil.
5. A nurse is administering enoxaparin (Lovenox) to a client. What is the primary purpose
of this medication?
A) To dissolve existing blood clots.
B) To prevent thromboembolic events.
C) To treat atrial fibrillation.
D) To lower cholesterol levels.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about sublingual nitroglycerin. Which instruction is
correct?
A) Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
B) Take one tablet every 5 minutes up to three doses. If pain persists, call 911.
C) Replace the medication every 6 months.
D) Take the medication with food to prevent nausea.
7. A client with heart failure is prescribed carvedilol (Coreg). Which assessment finding
would indicate a therapeutic effect?
A) Increased blood pressure.
B) Increased heart rate.
C) Decreased peripheral edema.
D) Increased urinary output.
,8. A nurse is preparing to administer a beta-blocker (metoprolol) to a client. What is the
priority assessment prior to administration?
A) Blood glucose.
B) Respiratory rate.
C) Apical pulse.
D) Level of consciousness.
9. A client is prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor). Which lab value should be monitored to
assess for a serious adverse effect?
A) Serum creatinine.
B) Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).
C) Complete blood count (CBC).
D) Serum sodium.
10. A nurse is caring for a client receiving amiodarone IV. Which adverse effect requires
immediate intervention?
A) Bluish-gray skin discoloration.
B) Pulmonary toxicity (cough, dyspnea).
C) Corneal microdeposits.
D) Photosensitivity.
11. A client is prescribed clopidogrel (Plavix). The nurse should monitor for which
adverse effect?
A) Hypertension.
B) Bleeding.
C) Tachycardia.
D) Constipation.
, 12. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for verapamil. Which adverse
effect should the client report to the provider?
A) Peripheral edema.
B) Constipation.
C) Dizziness.
D) All of the above.
13. A client is receiving IV alteplase (t-PA) for an acute ischemic stroke. Which is the
priority nursing action?
A) Monitor for signs of bleeding (e.g., intracranial hemorrhage).
B) Monitor blood pressure every 15 minutes.
C) Assess for reperfusion dysrhythmias.
D) All of the above.
14. A nurse is mixing regular insulin and NPH insulin in the same syringe. Which action is
correct?
A) Draw up the NPH insulin first.
B) Draw up the regular insulin first (clear to cloudy).
C) Shake the vial vigorously before drawing up.
D) Administer the injection intramuscularly.
15. A client with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which adverse effect should
the nurse instruct the client to report?
A) Weight gain.
B) Lactic acidosis (muscle pain, weakness, hyperventilation).
C) Hypoglycemia.
D) Polyuria.
16. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking spironolactone (Aldactone). Which finding
indicates a therapeutic effect?
ULTIMATE QUESTION BANK (150+
Questions) WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
AND IN-DEPTH RATIONALES 2026 WITH
RATIONALES AND ANSWERS AT THE END
OF THE QUESTIONS !
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR & HEMATOLOGIC SYSTEM (Questions 1-25)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer heparin subcutaneously to a client. Which action
should the nurse take?
A) Massage the injection site after administration.
B) Expel the air bubble from the prefilled syringe.
C) Administer the injection in the abdomen at least 2 inches away from the umbilicus.
D) Use a 22-gauge needle for administration.
2. A client is prescribed digoxin and furosemide. The nurse should monitor the client for
which adverse effect?
A) Hyperkalemia.
B) Hypokalemia, which increases the risk of digoxin toxicity.
C) Hypermagnesemia.
D) Hypocalcemia.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for warfarin.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will use a soft-bristled toothbrush."
B) "I will avoid eating large amounts of leafy green vegetables."
,C) "I will take ibuprofen for my frequent headaches."
D) "I will report any bruising or bleeding to my doctor."
4. A client is receiving IV heparin. The nurse notes the aPTT is 120 seconds (therapeutic
range is 60-80 seconds). Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?
A) Vitamin K.
B) Protamine sulfate.
C) Naloxone.
D) Flumazenil.
5. A nurse is administering enoxaparin (Lovenox) to a client. What is the primary purpose
of this medication?
A) To dissolve existing blood clots.
B) To prevent thromboembolic events.
C) To treat atrial fibrillation.
D) To lower cholesterol levels.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about sublingual nitroglycerin. Which instruction is
correct?
A) Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
B) Take one tablet every 5 minutes up to three doses. If pain persists, call 911.
C) Replace the medication every 6 months.
D) Take the medication with food to prevent nausea.
7. A client with heart failure is prescribed carvedilol (Coreg). Which assessment finding
would indicate a therapeutic effect?
A) Increased blood pressure.
B) Increased heart rate.
C) Decreased peripheral edema.
D) Increased urinary output.
,8. A nurse is preparing to administer a beta-blocker (metoprolol) to a client. What is the
priority assessment prior to administration?
A) Blood glucose.
B) Respiratory rate.
C) Apical pulse.
D) Level of consciousness.
9. A client is prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor). Which lab value should be monitored to
assess for a serious adverse effect?
A) Serum creatinine.
B) Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).
C) Complete blood count (CBC).
D) Serum sodium.
10. A nurse is caring for a client receiving amiodarone IV. Which adverse effect requires
immediate intervention?
A) Bluish-gray skin discoloration.
B) Pulmonary toxicity (cough, dyspnea).
C) Corneal microdeposits.
D) Photosensitivity.
11. A client is prescribed clopidogrel (Plavix). The nurse should monitor for which
adverse effect?
A) Hypertension.
B) Bleeding.
C) Tachycardia.
D) Constipation.
, 12. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for verapamil. Which adverse
effect should the client report to the provider?
A) Peripheral edema.
B) Constipation.
C) Dizziness.
D) All of the above.
13. A client is receiving IV alteplase (t-PA) for an acute ischemic stroke. Which is the
priority nursing action?
A) Monitor for signs of bleeding (e.g., intracranial hemorrhage).
B) Monitor blood pressure every 15 minutes.
C) Assess for reperfusion dysrhythmias.
D) All of the above.
14. A nurse is mixing regular insulin and NPH insulin in the same syringe. Which action is
correct?
A) Draw up the NPH insulin first.
B) Draw up the regular insulin first (clear to cloudy).
C) Shake the vial vigorously before drawing up.
D) Administer the injection intramuscularly.
15. A client with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which adverse effect should
the nurse instruct the client to report?
A) Weight gain.
B) Lactic acidosis (muscle pain, weakness, hyperventilation).
C) Hypoglycemia.
D) Polyuria.
16. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking spironolactone (Aldactone). Which finding
indicates a therapeutic effect?
