ATI PN CAPSTONE PHARMACOLOGY
PROCTORED EXAM WITH NGN | 100
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES | BRAND NEW 2025/2026 VERSION
Core Domains
1. Medication Administration – Routes, Dosage Calculation, Safe
Administration Practices, Rights of Medication Administration
2. Adverse Effects and Side Effects – Common and Serious Adverse Reactions,
Reporting Requirements, Patient Monitoring
3. Contraindications and Precautions – Drug Interactions, Allergies, High-
Risk Populations, Black Box Warnings
4. Therapeutic Drug Levels – Monitoring Parameters, Toxic Levels, Antidotes,
Lab Value Interpretation
5. Client Education – Medication Teaching, Adherence Strategies, Lifestyle
Modifications, Self-Monitoring
6. High-Alert Medications – Anticoagulants, Insulin, Opioids, Chemotherapy
Agents, Electrolytes
7. Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics – Mechanism of Action,
Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion
8. Drug Classifications – Antibiotics, Cardiovascular Medications, Antidiabetic
Agents, Psychotropics, Respiratory Medications
9. NGN – Clinical Judgment, Bow-Tie Case Studies, Extended Multiple
Response (SATA), Unfolding Cases
10. NGN – Prioritization, Interprofessional Collaboration, Quality
Improvement, Care Coordination, Health Teaching
Introduction
This comprehensive practice examination is meticulously designed for
practical nursing students preparing for the ATI PN Capstone Pharmacology
Proctored Assessment. The examination covers all essential pharmacological
domains required for successful program completion and NCLEX-PN
readiness, including medication administration, adverse effects,
contraindications, therapeutic drug levels, client education, high-alert
medications, pharmacodynamics, and drug classifications. Through a
combination of multiple-choice questions, Select-All-That-Apply (SATA), and
Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) style case studies, candidates will
demonstrate their understanding of pharmacological principles, clinical
, judgment, and safe medication administration in diverse patient scenarios.
Each question includes a detailed rationale explaining the correct answer and
reinforcing key concepts. The questions are structured to test not only recall of
pharmacological principles but also the ability to apply critical thinking to
real-world clinical situations. Successful completion of this examination
demonstrates readiness for the official ATI PN Capstone Pharmacology
assessment and the NCLEX-PN licensure examination
.
1. A nurse is teaching a client who is to start taking methyldopa for the
treatment of hypertension. Which of the following information should the
nurse include in the teaching?
A. This medication can cause insomnia
B. Expect to experience depression while taking this medication
C. This medication can cause dizziness
D. Expect to have increased salivation while taking this medication
C. This medication can cause dizziness
RATIONALE: Methyldopa is an antihypertensive medication that can cause
dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, and sedation. Dizziness is a common side effect
due to the vasodilatory effects of the medication. Depression is a less common but
potential side effect, and increased salivation is not typically associated with
methyldopa.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer gentamicin 200 mg infusion over 1 hour
to a school-age child. Available is gentamicin 200 mg in 100 mL of 0.5%
sodium chloride solution. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how
many mL per hour?
A. 50 mL/hr
B. 100 mL/hr
C. 150 mL/hr
D. 200 mL/hr
B. 100 mL/hr
, RATIONALE: The IV pump should be set to deliver 100 mL/hr. The total
volume is 100 mL, and the infusion time is 1 hour. Therefore, 100 mL ÷ 1 hour =
100 mL/hr.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child who is starting to
take liquid ferrous sulfate. Which of the following information should the
nurse include in the teaching?
A. Administer the medication undiluted
B. Milk increases the absorption of the medication
C. Stop the medication immediately if you notice any dark stool
D. Monitor your child for constipation
D. Monitor your child for constipation
RATIONALE: Ferrous sulfate can cause constipation, which is a common side
effect of iron supplementation. Parents should monitor the child for constipation
and implement interventions such as increased fluid intake and fiber. Dark stools
are an expected finding with iron supplements, not a reason to discontinue the
medication.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has been taking hydrochlorothiazide.
Which of the following client statements indicates that the medication is
effective?
A. "My appetite has increased."
B. "I no longer feel depressed."
C. "The swelling in my feet has decreased."
D. "I am sleeping better."
C. "The swelling in my feet has decreased."
RATIONALE: Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic used to treat
hypertension and edema. A therapeutic response is indicated by decreased edema
(swelling in feet), decreased blood pressure, and weight loss.
5. A nurse is assessing a client who is in preterm labor and is receiving
magnesium sulfate via continuous IV infusion. Which of the following findings
should the nurse identify as the priority?
, A. Flushing
B. Dry mouth
C. Respiratory rate 22/min
D. Deep tendon reflexes 1+
D. Deep tendon reflexes 1+
RATIONALE: Magnesium sulfate toxicity is a serious concern. Loss of deep
tendon reflexes (hyporeflexia, 1+) is an early sign of magnesium toxicity and can
precede respiratory depression and cardiac arrest. This is the priority finding that
requires immediate intervention.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who reports using the herbal medication garlic
along with prescribed warfarin. The nurse should identify that which of the
following is a potential adverse effect of taking both of these products
concurrently?
A. Altered renal perfusion
B. Elevated blood pressure
C. Increased bleeding risk
D. Decreased heart rate
C. Increased bleeding risk
RATIONALE: Garlic has antiplatelet properties and can increase the risk of
bleeding when taken with anticoagulants such as warfarin. The combination can
potentiate the anticoagulant effect, leading to an increased risk of hemorrhage.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a systemic fungal infection and is
receiving IV amphotericin B deoxycholate. During previous infusions, the
client developed a fever and chills. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Apply a warming blanket prior to administration
B. Infuse the medication over 1 hr
C. Administer diphenhydramine and acetaminophen prior to infusion
D. Discontinue the medication immediately
C. Administer diphenhydramine and acetaminophen prior to infusion
PROCTORED EXAM WITH NGN | 100
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES | BRAND NEW 2025/2026 VERSION
Core Domains
1. Medication Administration – Routes, Dosage Calculation, Safe
Administration Practices, Rights of Medication Administration
2. Adverse Effects and Side Effects – Common and Serious Adverse Reactions,
Reporting Requirements, Patient Monitoring
3. Contraindications and Precautions – Drug Interactions, Allergies, High-
Risk Populations, Black Box Warnings
4. Therapeutic Drug Levels – Monitoring Parameters, Toxic Levels, Antidotes,
Lab Value Interpretation
5. Client Education – Medication Teaching, Adherence Strategies, Lifestyle
Modifications, Self-Monitoring
6. High-Alert Medications – Anticoagulants, Insulin, Opioids, Chemotherapy
Agents, Electrolytes
7. Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics – Mechanism of Action,
Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion
8. Drug Classifications – Antibiotics, Cardiovascular Medications, Antidiabetic
Agents, Psychotropics, Respiratory Medications
9. NGN – Clinical Judgment, Bow-Tie Case Studies, Extended Multiple
Response (SATA), Unfolding Cases
10. NGN – Prioritization, Interprofessional Collaboration, Quality
Improvement, Care Coordination, Health Teaching
Introduction
This comprehensive practice examination is meticulously designed for
practical nursing students preparing for the ATI PN Capstone Pharmacology
Proctored Assessment. The examination covers all essential pharmacological
domains required for successful program completion and NCLEX-PN
readiness, including medication administration, adverse effects,
contraindications, therapeutic drug levels, client education, high-alert
medications, pharmacodynamics, and drug classifications. Through a
combination of multiple-choice questions, Select-All-That-Apply (SATA), and
Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) style case studies, candidates will
demonstrate their understanding of pharmacological principles, clinical
, judgment, and safe medication administration in diverse patient scenarios.
Each question includes a detailed rationale explaining the correct answer and
reinforcing key concepts. The questions are structured to test not only recall of
pharmacological principles but also the ability to apply critical thinking to
real-world clinical situations. Successful completion of this examination
demonstrates readiness for the official ATI PN Capstone Pharmacology
assessment and the NCLEX-PN licensure examination
.
1. A nurse is teaching a client who is to start taking methyldopa for the
treatment of hypertension. Which of the following information should the
nurse include in the teaching?
A. This medication can cause insomnia
B. Expect to experience depression while taking this medication
C. This medication can cause dizziness
D. Expect to have increased salivation while taking this medication
C. This medication can cause dizziness
RATIONALE: Methyldopa is an antihypertensive medication that can cause
dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, and sedation. Dizziness is a common side effect
due to the vasodilatory effects of the medication. Depression is a less common but
potential side effect, and increased salivation is not typically associated with
methyldopa.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer gentamicin 200 mg infusion over 1 hour
to a school-age child. Available is gentamicin 200 mg in 100 mL of 0.5%
sodium chloride solution. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how
many mL per hour?
A. 50 mL/hr
B. 100 mL/hr
C. 150 mL/hr
D. 200 mL/hr
B. 100 mL/hr
, RATIONALE: The IV pump should be set to deliver 100 mL/hr. The total
volume is 100 mL, and the infusion time is 1 hour. Therefore, 100 mL ÷ 1 hour =
100 mL/hr.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child who is starting to
take liquid ferrous sulfate. Which of the following information should the
nurse include in the teaching?
A. Administer the medication undiluted
B. Milk increases the absorption of the medication
C. Stop the medication immediately if you notice any dark stool
D. Monitor your child for constipation
D. Monitor your child for constipation
RATIONALE: Ferrous sulfate can cause constipation, which is a common side
effect of iron supplementation. Parents should monitor the child for constipation
and implement interventions such as increased fluid intake and fiber. Dark stools
are an expected finding with iron supplements, not a reason to discontinue the
medication.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has been taking hydrochlorothiazide.
Which of the following client statements indicates that the medication is
effective?
A. "My appetite has increased."
B. "I no longer feel depressed."
C. "The swelling in my feet has decreased."
D. "I am sleeping better."
C. "The swelling in my feet has decreased."
RATIONALE: Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic used to treat
hypertension and edema. A therapeutic response is indicated by decreased edema
(swelling in feet), decreased blood pressure, and weight loss.
5. A nurse is assessing a client who is in preterm labor and is receiving
magnesium sulfate via continuous IV infusion. Which of the following findings
should the nurse identify as the priority?
, A. Flushing
B. Dry mouth
C. Respiratory rate 22/min
D. Deep tendon reflexes 1+
D. Deep tendon reflexes 1+
RATIONALE: Magnesium sulfate toxicity is a serious concern. Loss of deep
tendon reflexes (hyporeflexia, 1+) is an early sign of magnesium toxicity and can
precede respiratory depression and cardiac arrest. This is the priority finding that
requires immediate intervention.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who reports using the herbal medication garlic
along with prescribed warfarin. The nurse should identify that which of the
following is a potential adverse effect of taking both of these products
concurrently?
A. Altered renal perfusion
B. Elevated blood pressure
C. Increased bleeding risk
D. Decreased heart rate
C. Increased bleeding risk
RATIONALE: Garlic has antiplatelet properties and can increase the risk of
bleeding when taken with anticoagulants such as warfarin. The combination can
potentiate the anticoagulant effect, leading to an increased risk of hemorrhage.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a systemic fungal infection and is
receiving IV amphotericin B deoxycholate. During previous infusions, the
client developed a fever and chills. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Apply a warming blanket prior to administration
B. Infuse the medication over 1 hr
C. Administer diphenhydramine and acetaminophen prior to infusion
D. Discontinue the medication immediately
C. Administer diphenhydramine and acetaminophen prior to infusion
