ATI
Proctored Pharmacology Practice Questions |
Answers & Detailed Rationales | 2026
Resource Features
➢ ATI Pharmacology practice questions
➢ Answers for self-assessment
➢ Detailed rationales
➢ Drug-class review
➢ Medication-safety practice
, ATI Proctored Pharmacology Practice
Questions | Answers & Detailed Rationales
| 2026
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is to receive treatment for opioid use
disorder. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to
administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Methadone
C. Buprenorphine
D. Naltrexone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist used for
medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder. It reduces withdrawal
symptoms and cravings without producing the intense euphoria of
short-acting opioids.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) to a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take prior to administering
the medication?
A. Obtain the client's blood pressure
,B. Assess the client's respiratory rate
C. Check the client's apical pulse
D. Measure the client's urine output
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic used to lower blood
pressure. The nurse must assess blood pressure before administration to
evaluate effectiveness and monitor for hypotension.
Question 3
A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving mannitol via
continuous IV infusion. Which of the following adverse effects should the
nurse monitor the client for?
A. Hypotension
B. Bibasilar crackles
C. Bradycardia
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that can cause fluid shifts and
precipitate pulmonary edema. Bibasilar crackles indicate fluid accumulation
in the lungs and are a serious adverse effect requiring immediate
intervention.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking nitroglycerin for angina and
reports feeling faint when standing up. Which of the following actions
, should the nurse take?
A. Administer oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Assist the client into bed, elevate the lower extremities, and check their
blood pressure
C. Give the client a glass of water and have them sit upright
D. Have the client walk slowly to improve venous return
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, leading to orthostatic
hypotension. The priority is to prevent injury from a fall, then promote
venous return by elevating the legs, and finally assess blood pressure.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing medication instructions for a client who is receiving
end-of-life care and their family. The client has a prescription for fentanyl
patches. Which of the following information regarding the manifestations
and use of fentanyl should the nurse include in the instructions?
A. Apply a heating pad over the patch to increase absorption
B. Taking a stool softener daily will be needed
C. The patch should be changed every 24 hours
D. Remove the patch immediately if sedation occurs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Opioids like fentanyl commonly cause constipation. A stool
softener should be taken daily to prevent this adverse effect. Heating pads
are contraindicated because they increase absorption and risk of overdose.
Proctored Pharmacology Practice Questions |
Answers & Detailed Rationales | 2026
Resource Features
➢ ATI Pharmacology practice questions
➢ Answers for self-assessment
➢ Detailed rationales
➢ Drug-class review
➢ Medication-safety practice
, ATI Proctored Pharmacology Practice
Questions | Answers & Detailed Rationales
| 2026
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is to receive treatment for opioid use
disorder. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to
administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Methadone
C. Buprenorphine
D. Naltrexone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist used for
medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder. It reduces withdrawal
symptoms and cravings without producing the intense euphoria of
short-acting opioids.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) to a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take prior to administering
the medication?
A. Obtain the client's blood pressure
,B. Assess the client's respiratory rate
C. Check the client's apical pulse
D. Measure the client's urine output
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic used to lower blood
pressure. The nurse must assess blood pressure before administration to
evaluate effectiveness and monitor for hypotension.
Question 3
A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving mannitol via
continuous IV infusion. Which of the following adverse effects should the
nurse monitor the client for?
A. Hypotension
B. Bibasilar crackles
C. Bradycardia
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that can cause fluid shifts and
precipitate pulmonary edema. Bibasilar crackles indicate fluid accumulation
in the lungs and are a serious adverse effect requiring immediate
intervention.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking nitroglycerin for angina and
reports feeling faint when standing up. Which of the following actions
, should the nurse take?
A. Administer oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Assist the client into bed, elevate the lower extremities, and check their
blood pressure
C. Give the client a glass of water and have them sit upright
D. Have the client walk slowly to improve venous return
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, leading to orthostatic
hypotension. The priority is to prevent injury from a fall, then promote
venous return by elevating the legs, and finally assess blood pressure.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing medication instructions for a client who is receiving
end-of-life care and their family. The client has a prescription for fentanyl
patches. Which of the following information regarding the manifestations
and use of fentanyl should the nurse include in the instructions?
A. Apply a heating pad over the patch to increase absorption
B. Taking a stool softener daily will be needed
C. The patch should be changed every 24 hours
D. Remove the patch immediately if sedation occurs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Opioids like fentanyl commonly cause constipation. A stool
softener should be taken daily to prevent this adverse effect. Heating pads
are contraindicated because they increase absorption and risk of overdose.
