,ATI Pharmacology Assessment - PN Exam Questions And Answers
2026/2027
**1.** A practical nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client.
Which of the following actions is most important for safe medication
administration?
A) Checking the client's identification using two identifiers
B) Asking the client to state their name and date of birth
C) Verifying the medication with another nurse
D) Reviewing the client's allergy list
**Correct Answer:** A) Checking the client's identification using two
identifiers
**Rationale:** Checking the client's identification using two identifiers is the
most critical safety step to prevent medication errors. Identification should
be verified before medication administration using at least two unique
identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth). Room number alone is not an
acceptable identifier.
**2.** A nurse is preparing to administer oral digoxin. Which action is part of
safe medication administration?
A) Check the client's apical pulse before giving the medication
B) Crush the medication without checking whether it is extended-release
C) Administer the medication if the pulse is 48/min and regular
D) Give the medication before verifying the client's identity
**Correct Answer:** A) Check the client's apical pulse before giving the
medication
,**Rationale:** The ATI medication administration framework emphasizes
assessment before administration. Digoxin can worsen bradycardia, so the
apical pulse should be checked and abnormal findings (pulse <60/min)
reported before giving the dose.
**3.** Which action best reflects the "rights" of medication administration?
A) Relying on room number as the only identifier
B) Verifying the right patient, medication, dose, route, time, documentation,
reason, and right to refuse
C) Giving all scheduled medications before checking allergies
D) Documenting medication administration before the patient takes it
**Correct Answer:** B) Verifying the right patient, medication, dose, route,
time, documentation, reason, and right to refuse
**Rationale:** Safe medication administration requires multiple rights,
including patient identification, allergy review, and accurate documentation.
The standard rights include: right patient, medication, dose, route, time,
documentation, reason, response, education, and right to refuse.
**4.** A provider prescribes amoxicillin 500 mg PO every 8 hours. The
available suspension is 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer per dose?
A) 2.5 mL
B) 5 mL
C) 10 mL
D) 15 mL
, **Correct Answer:** C) 10 mL
**Rationale:** The dose needed is 500 mg. Set up the ratio: 250 mg/5 mL =
500 mg/x mL. Cross-multiply: 250x = 2500. x = 10 mL.
**5.** A nurse is preparing to administer heparin subcutaneously. Which
technique is correct?
A) Aspirate before injecting
B) Massage the site after injection
C) Use a 25-gauge, ⅝-inch needle
D) Inject into the deltoid muscle
**Correct Answer:** C) Use a 25-gauge, ⅝-inch needle
**Rationale:** Subcutaneous heparin requires a small-gauge needle
administered in the abdomen. Aspiration and massage are not
recommended; the deltoid is not a subcutaneous site.
**6.** A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection. Which
site is most appropriate for a 2 mL injection in an adult?
A) Deltoid
B) Dorsogluteal
C) Ventrogluteal
D) Vastus lateralis
2026/2027
**1.** A practical nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client.
Which of the following actions is most important for safe medication
administration?
A) Checking the client's identification using two identifiers
B) Asking the client to state their name and date of birth
C) Verifying the medication with another nurse
D) Reviewing the client's allergy list
**Correct Answer:** A) Checking the client's identification using two
identifiers
**Rationale:** Checking the client's identification using two identifiers is the
most critical safety step to prevent medication errors. Identification should
be verified before medication administration using at least two unique
identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth). Room number alone is not an
acceptable identifier.
**2.** A nurse is preparing to administer oral digoxin. Which action is part of
safe medication administration?
A) Check the client's apical pulse before giving the medication
B) Crush the medication without checking whether it is extended-release
C) Administer the medication if the pulse is 48/min and regular
D) Give the medication before verifying the client's identity
**Correct Answer:** A) Check the client's apical pulse before giving the
medication
,**Rationale:** The ATI medication administration framework emphasizes
assessment before administration. Digoxin can worsen bradycardia, so the
apical pulse should be checked and abnormal findings (pulse <60/min)
reported before giving the dose.
**3.** Which action best reflects the "rights" of medication administration?
A) Relying on room number as the only identifier
B) Verifying the right patient, medication, dose, route, time, documentation,
reason, and right to refuse
C) Giving all scheduled medications before checking allergies
D) Documenting medication administration before the patient takes it
**Correct Answer:** B) Verifying the right patient, medication, dose, route,
time, documentation, reason, and right to refuse
**Rationale:** Safe medication administration requires multiple rights,
including patient identification, allergy review, and accurate documentation.
The standard rights include: right patient, medication, dose, route, time,
documentation, reason, response, education, and right to refuse.
**4.** A provider prescribes amoxicillin 500 mg PO every 8 hours. The
available suspension is 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer per dose?
A) 2.5 mL
B) 5 mL
C) 10 mL
D) 15 mL
, **Correct Answer:** C) 10 mL
**Rationale:** The dose needed is 500 mg. Set up the ratio: 250 mg/5 mL =
500 mg/x mL. Cross-multiply: 250x = 2500. x = 10 mL.
**5.** A nurse is preparing to administer heparin subcutaneously. Which
technique is correct?
A) Aspirate before injecting
B) Massage the site after injection
C) Use a 25-gauge, ⅝-inch needle
D) Inject into the deltoid muscle
**Correct Answer:** C) Use a 25-gauge, ⅝-inch needle
**Rationale:** Subcutaneous heparin requires a small-gauge needle
administered in the abdomen. Aspiration and massage are not
recommended; the deltoid is not a subcutaneous site.
**6.** A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection. Which
site is most appropriate for a 2 mL injection in an adult?
A) Deltoid
B) Dorsogluteal
C) Ventrogluteal
D) Vastus lateralis
