ACTUAL ATI CMC PHARMACOLOGY
RETAKE EXAM WITH COMPLETE REAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS)
LATEST UPDATED VERSION
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This study guide contains original practice
questions created to simulate the format and difficulty of the ATI CMC
Pharmacology Retake Exam. These are not actual exam questions from
Assessment Technologies Institute. The correct answers and rationales are
based on standard pharmacological principles and nursing practice. This
material is intended for study and review purposes only. No guarantee of
exam performance is implied.
Core Domains
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Medication Safety and Calculations
Autonomic Nervous System Medications
Cardiovascular and Hematologic Medications
Central Nervous System Medications
Endocrine and Metabolic Medications
Gastrointestinal and Renal Medications
Anti-Infective and Immunologic Medications
Musculoskeletal and Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Respiratory and Ophthalmic Medications
Reproductive and Genitourinary Medications
Oncologic and Biologic Agents
Introduction
,This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the entry-level
pharmacology competency of nursing candidates. It evaluates the knowledge
and skills required to safely administer medications, monitor for therapeutic
and adverse effects, and provide client education across the lifespan. The test
employs multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that mirror the ATI
proctored exam structure. Emphasis is placed on drug classification,
mechanism of action, adverse effects, nursing interventions, and the
application of pharmacological principles in real-world clinical decision-
making.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–200
1. A nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of a medication to a
client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client's identification band
B. Assess the client's allergies
C. Verify the medication order with the provider
D. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Assess the client's allergies
RATIONALE: The first action before administering any medication is to
assess the client's allergies to prevent an allergic reaction. While checking
identification and verifying orders are important, allergy assessment is the
priority safety check.
2. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is receiving
heparin. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse
monitor?
A. PT
B. INR
C. aPTT
D. Platelet count
, C. aPTT
RATIONALE: Heparin therapy is monitored using the activated partial
thromboplastin time (aPTT). The therapeutic range is typically 1.5 to 2.5 times
the control value.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed warfarin.
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Bleeding time
B. INR
RATIONALE: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the international
normalized ratio (INR). The therapeutic range is typically 2.0 to 3.0 for most
indications.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for metformin.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding?
A. "I should take this medication with food to reduce GI upset."
B. "I can stop this medication once my blood sugar is controlled."
C. "This medication can cause weight gain."
D. "I should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication."
A. "I should take this medication with food to reduce GI upset."
RATIONALE: Metformin should be taken with food to reduce
gastrointestinal upset. It is a lifelong medication for diabetes management. It
does not typically cause weight gain. Alcohol should be avoided due to the
risk of lactic acidosis.
, 5. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the
following assessment findings should the nurse report before
administering the medication?
A. Heart rate of 88 beats/min
B. Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg
C. Heart rate of 52 beats/min
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
C. Heart rate of 52 beats/min
RATIONALE: Digoxin slows the heart rate. A heart rate below 60
beats/min in an adult is a contraindication to administering digoxin. The
nurse should hold the medication and notify the provider.
6. A nurse is reviewing the medication administration record for a
client who has a new prescription for levothyroxine. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication at bedtime."
B. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
C. "Take this medication with antacids."
D. "This medication will cure hypothyroidism permanently."
B. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
RATIONALE: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, 30 to
60 minutes before breakfast, for optimal absorption. It does not cure
hypothyroidism but manages it. Antacids can interfere with absorption.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection. Which
of the following needle sizes is appropriate?
A. 18 gauge, 1.5 inches
B. 25 gauge, 5/8 inch
C. 21 gauge, 1 inch
D. 16 gauge, 2 inches
RETAKE EXAM WITH COMPLETE REAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS)
LATEST UPDATED VERSION
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This study guide contains original practice
questions created to simulate the format and difficulty of the ATI CMC
Pharmacology Retake Exam. These are not actual exam questions from
Assessment Technologies Institute. The correct answers and rationales are
based on standard pharmacological principles and nursing practice. This
material is intended for study and review purposes only. No guarantee of
exam performance is implied.
Core Domains
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Medication Safety and Calculations
Autonomic Nervous System Medications
Cardiovascular and Hematologic Medications
Central Nervous System Medications
Endocrine and Metabolic Medications
Gastrointestinal and Renal Medications
Anti-Infective and Immunologic Medications
Musculoskeletal and Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Respiratory and Ophthalmic Medications
Reproductive and Genitourinary Medications
Oncologic and Biologic Agents
Introduction
,This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the entry-level
pharmacology competency of nursing candidates. It evaluates the knowledge
and skills required to safely administer medications, monitor for therapeutic
and adverse effects, and provide client education across the lifespan. The test
employs multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that mirror the ATI
proctored exam structure. Emphasis is placed on drug classification,
mechanism of action, adverse effects, nursing interventions, and the
application of pharmacological principles in real-world clinical decision-
making.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–200
1. A nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of a medication to a
client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client's identification band
B. Assess the client's allergies
C. Verify the medication order with the provider
D. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Assess the client's allergies
RATIONALE: The first action before administering any medication is to
assess the client's allergies to prevent an allergic reaction. While checking
identification and verifying orders are important, allergy assessment is the
priority safety check.
2. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is receiving
heparin. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse
monitor?
A. PT
B. INR
C. aPTT
D. Platelet count
, C. aPTT
RATIONALE: Heparin therapy is monitored using the activated partial
thromboplastin time (aPTT). The therapeutic range is typically 1.5 to 2.5 times
the control value.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed warfarin.
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Bleeding time
B. INR
RATIONALE: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the international
normalized ratio (INR). The therapeutic range is typically 2.0 to 3.0 for most
indications.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for metformin.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding?
A. "I should take this medication with food to reduce GI upset."
B. "I can stop this medication once my blood sugar is controlled."
C. "This medication can cause weight gain."
D. "I should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication."
A. "I should take this medication with food to reduce GI upset."
RATIONALE: Metformin should be taken with food to reduce
gastrointestinal upset. It is a lifelong medication for diabetes management. It
does not typically cause weight gain. Alcohol should be avoided due to the
risk of lactic acidosis.
, 5. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the
following assessment findings should the nurse report before
administering the medication?
A. Heart rate of 88 beats/min
B. Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg
C. Heart rate of 52 beats/min
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
C. Heart rate of 52 beats/min
RATIONALE: Digoxin slows the heart rate. A heart rate below 60
beats/min in an adult is a contraindication to administering digoxin. The
nurse should hold the medication and notify the provider.
6. A nurse is reviewing the medication administration record for a
client who has a new prescription for levothyroxine. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication at bedtime."
B. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
C. "Take this medication with antacids."
D. "This medication will cure hypothyroidism permanently."
B. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
RATIONALE: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, 30 to
60 minutes before breakfast, for optimal absorption. It does not cure
hypothyroidism but manages it. Antacids can interfere with absorption.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection. Which
of the following needle sizes is appropriate?
A. 18 gauge, 1.5 inches
B. 25 gauge, 5/8 inch
C. 21 gauge, 1 inch
D. 16 gauge, 2 inches
