Page 1 of 115
ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM WITH NGN EXAM
2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED QUESTIONS DETAILED
RATIONALES GRADED A+
ATI PN Pharmacology Proctored Exam with NGN —Questions with Rationales
Summarized 10-Point Exam Coverage
Based on the ATI PN Pharmacology Proctored Exam blueprint:
Pharmacological Therapies & Medication Administration (30%) — medication rights, routes,
dosage calculations, safe injection practices, medication reconciliation, and documentation.
Cardiovascular & Hematologic Medications (25%) — antihypertensives, diuretics,
anticoagulants, antiplatelets, statins, digoxin, and nitrates.
Respiratory & Neurological Medications (15%) — bronchodilators, corticosteroids,
antiepileptics, antiparkinson agents, and migraine medications.
Endocrine, Gastrointestinal & Infectious Disease Medications (25%) — insulin, oral
hypoglycemics, thyroid agents, PPIs, antiemetics, antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals.
NGN Clinical Judgment in Pharmacology (20%) — recognizing cues, analyzing cues, prioritizing
hypotheses, generating solutions, taking action, and evaluating outcomes.
,Page 2 of 115
SECTION 1: PHARMACOLOGICAL THERAPIES & MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION (Questions 1–
90)
Q1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. The student nurse asks what
"pharmacokinetics" means. What is the correct response?
A. The study of what a drug does to the body
B. The study of how the body processes a drug
C. The study of drug toxicity and overdose management
D. The study of genetic factors influencing drug response
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes the movement of a drug through the body, specifically
the processes of Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME).
Pharmacodynamics (Option A) is the study of what the drug does to the body.
Q2. A patient is receiving a drug with a half-life of 12 hours. Approximately how long will it
take for the drug to be considered eliminated from the body?
A. 12 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 60 hours
D. 120 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: It takes approximately 4 to 5 half-lives for a medication to be considered fully
eliminated from the body. 5 half-lives × 12 hours = 60 hours.
Q3. The "Six Rights" of medication administration are the foundation of safe practice. Which
of the following is included in the standard "Six Rights"? (Select all that apply.)
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A. Right Patient
B. Right Diagnosis
C. Right Dose
D. Right Room Number
E. Right Route
Correct Answers: A, C, E
Rationale: The classic "Six Rights" include: Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Route,
Right Time, and Right Documentation. Diagnosis and room number are not standard rights,
though "Right Reason" is sometimes added.
Q4. A nurse is performing the third check of medication administration for hydromorphone
(Dilaudid), a Schedule II controlled substance. After opening the unit-dose packet, the client
refuses to take it. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Return the intact medication to the automated dispensing cabinet.
B. Dispose of the medication in the sharps container and document wasting.
C. Document the refusal and leave the medication at the bedside in case the client changes
their mind.
D. Dispose of the medication with a second nurse witnessing the waste.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: For controlled substances, if the medication is removed from its packaging and the
client refuses, the nurse must waste the medication with a second nurse witnessing the waste
and document accordingly.
Q5. The provider prescribes amoxicillin 500 mg PO every 8 hr. The available suspension is 250
mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
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A. 2.5 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 15 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The dose needed is 500 mg. The concentration is 250 mg per 5 mL. 500 mg ÷ 250 mg
× 5 mL = 10 mL.
Q6. A nurse is preparing to administer oral digoxin. Which action is part of safe medication
administration?
A. Check the patient'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 patient identity.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin can worsen bradycardia, so the apical pulse should be checked and abnormal
findings reported before giving the dose.
Q7. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of insulin. Which site is most
appropriate?
A. Deltoid
B. Abdomen
C. Ventrogluteal
D. Dorsogluteal
ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM WITH NGN EXAM
2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED QUESTIONS DETAILED
RATIONALES GRADED A+
ATI PN Pharmacology Proctored Exam with NGN —Questions with Rationales
Summarized 10-Point Exam Coverage
Based on the ATI PN Pharmacology Proctored Exam blueprint:
Pharmacological Therapies & Medication Administration (30%) — medication rights, routes,
dosage calculations, safe injection practices, medication reconciliation, and documentation.
Cardiovascular & Hematologic Medications (25%) — antihypertensives, diuretics,
anticoagulants, antiplatelets, statins, digoxin, and nitrates.
Respiratory & Neurological Medications (15%) — bronchodilators, corticosteroids,
antiepileptics, antiparkinson agents, and migraine medications.
Endocrine, Gastrointestinal & Infectious Disease Medications (25%) — insulin, oral
hypoglycemics, thyroid agents, PPIs, antiemetics, antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals.
NGN Clinical Judgment in Pharmacology (20%) — recognizing cues, analyzing cues, prioritizing
hypotheses, generating solutions, taking action, and evaluating outcomes.
,Page 2 of 115
SECTION 1: PHARMACOLOGICAL THERAPIES & MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION (Questions 1–
90)
Q1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. The student nurse asks what
"pharmacokinetics" means. What is the correct response?
A. The study of what a drug does to the body
B. The study of how the body processes a drug
C. The study of drug toxicity and overdose management
D. The study of genetic factors influencing drug response
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes the movement of a drug through the body, specifically
the processes of Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME).
Pharmacodynamics (Option A) is the study of what the drug does to the body.
Q2. A patient is receiving a drug with a half-life of 12 hours. Approximately how long will it
take for the drug to be considered eliminated from the body?
A. 12 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 60 hours
D. 120 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: It takes approximately 4 to 5 half-lives for a medication to be considered fully
eliminated from the body. 5 half-lives × 12 hours = 60 hours.
Q3. The "Six Rights" of medication administration are the foundation of safe practice. Which
of the following is included in the standard "Six Rights"? (Select all that apply.)
,Page 3 of 115
A. Right Patient
B. Right Diagnosis
C. Right Dose
D. Right Room Number
E. Right Route
Correct Answers: A, C, E
Rationale: The classic "Six Rights" include: Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Route,
Right Time, and Right Documentation. Diagnosis and room number are not standard rights,
though "Right Reason" is sometimes added.
Q4. A nurse is performing the third check of medication administration for hydromorphone
(Dilaudid), a Schedule II controlled substance. After opening the unit-dose packet, the client
refuses to take it. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Return the intact medication to the automated dispensing cabinet.
B. Dispose of the medication in the sharps container and document wasting.
C. Document the refusal and leave the medication at the bedside in case the client changes
their mind.
D. Dispose of the medication with a second nurse witnessing the waste.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: For controlled substances, if the medication is removed from its packaging and the
client refuses, the nurse must waste the medication with a second nurse witnessing the waste
and document accordingly.
Q5. The provider prescribes amoxicillin 500 mg PO every 8 hr. The available suspension is 250
mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
, Page 4 of 115
A. 2.5 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 15 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The dose needed is 500 mg. The concentration is 250 mg per 5 mL. 500 mg ÷ 250 mg
× 5 mL = 10 mL.
Q6. A nurse is preparing to administer oral digoxin. Which action is part of safe medication
administration?
A. Check the patient'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 patient identity.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin can worsen bradycardia, so the apical pulse should be checked and abnormal
findings reported before giving the dose.
Q7. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of insulin. Which site is most
appropriate?
A. Deltoid
B. Abdomen
C. Ventrogluteal
D. Dorsogluteal
