ATI RN Pharmacology Proctored Exam Test Bank 9.0 |
All 48 Chapters | Chapter-Based Questions with
Detailed Explanations
UNIT 1: PHARMACOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES & SAFETY
Chapter 1: Pharmacokinetics & Routes of Administration
1. A nurse is teaching a client about oral medication absorption. Which factor
should the nurse identify as decreasing oral absorption?
A. Taking the medication with a full glass of water
B. Presence of food in the stomach
C. Empty stomach administration
D. Sublingual placement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Food delays gastric emptying and can bind to drugs, reducing absorption.
Water (A) enhances dissolution. Empty stomach (C) increases absorption. Sublingual
(D) bypasses GI tract entirely.
2. A client is prescribed a transdermal patch. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I will apply a new patch every 8 hours."
B. "I will rotate application sites to avoid skin irritation."
C. "I will cut the patch if the dose seems too high."
D. "I will apply lotion before placing the patch."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Site rotation prevents irritation and dermatitis. Patches are typically 24-72
hours (not 8 hours). Cutting can alter release rate. Lotion prevents adhesion.
3. A nurse administers intravenous (IV) morphine. When will the peak effect
occur?
A. Within 1-2 minutes
B. 15-30 minutes
C. 1-2 hours
D. 4-6 hours
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IV administration delivers drug directly to bloodstream; peak effect occurs
almost immediately (1-2 min). IM or oral (B, C, D) are slower.
4. Which route undergoes extensive first-pass effect in the liver?
A. Sublingual
B. Intravenous
C. Oral
D. Transdermal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Oral drugs are absorbed from GI tract and travel via portal vein to liver,
where metabolism reduces bioavailability. Sublingual (A), IV (B), transdermal (D) bypass
portal circulation.
5. A nurse explains protein binding to a client. Which statement is accurate?
A. Only free drug is pharmacologically active.
B. Protein binding increases drug excretion.
C. Highly protein-bound drugs have a short duration.
D. Malnutrition increases protein binding.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Only unbound (free) drug can reach receptors. Binding decreases excretion
(B) and increases duration (C). Malnutrition decreases binding (D), increasing free drug.
6. A client has a low albumin level. What effect on highly protein-bound drugs
should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased risk of toxicity
B. Increased free drug concentration
C. Slower onset of action
D. Reduced therapeutic effect
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Low albumin means fewer binding sites → more free drug → increased
effect and toxicity risk. Onset may be faster, not slower.
7. Which medication order requires clarification regarding route?
A. Metoprolol 25 mg PO daily
B. Insulin glargine 10 units subcut qHS
C. Furosemide 40 mg IM twice daily
D. Morphine sulfate 5 mg IV push q4h PRN pain
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is rarely given IM (irritating, erratic absorption); IV or PO
preferred. Others are standard routes.
8. A nurse teaches about enteric-coated tablets. Which instruction is correct?
A. Crush the tablet for faster absorption.
B. Avoid crushing; it may cause gastric irritation.
C. Take with antacids to enhance coating.
D. Store in refrigerator to maintain coating.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Enteric coating protects drug from stomach acid or protects stomach from
drug. Crushing destroys the coating and can cause gastric irritation.
9. The nurse understands that a drug's half-life is defined as:
A. The time it takes for the drug to reach peak concentration
B. The time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body
C. The time between drug administration and onset of action
D. The duration of the drug's therapeutic effect
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to
decrease by 50%. It determines dosing intervals and time to reach steady state.
10. A patient with liver disease is receiving a drug metabolized by the liver. The
nurse anticipates:
A. Lower drug levels
B. Higher drug levels and increased risk of toxicity
C. No change in drug levels
D. Faster elimination
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Liver disease impairs drug metabolism, leading to accumulation of the drug
and increased risk of toxicity.
11. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and reviews the concept of
pharmacokinetics. Which statement accurately describes this process?
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.
12. 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 5 half-lives for a drug to be considered effectively
eliminated from the body. With a half-life of 12 hours, 5 × 12 = 60 hours.
Chapter 2: Pharmacodynamics
13. The nurse recognizes that the administration of a drug influences cell
physiology. What is the term for this concept?
A. Pharmacokinetics
B. Pharmacodynamics
C. Pharmacotherapeutics
D. Toxicology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacodynamics is the study of what the drug does to the body (drug
impacts body).
14. A nurse is administering a medication that is an agonist at a receptor site.
Which effect does this medication produce?
A. It blocks the receptor site
B. It activates the receptor site
C. It destroys the receptor site
D. It has no effect on the receptor site
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An agonist is a drug that binds to a receptor and activates it, producing a
pharmacological response. An antagonist (Option A) blocks the receptor.
15. A patient receives a medication that is an agonist at the beta-1 receptor. Which
pharmacodynamic effect is expected?
A. Decreased heart rate and contractility
B. Increased heart rate and contractility
All 48 Chapters | Chapter-Based Questions with
Detailed Explanations
UNIT 1: PHARMACOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES & SAFETY
Chapter 1: Pharmacokinetics & Routes of Administration
1. A nurse is teaching a client about oral medication absorption. Which factor
should the nurse identify as decreasing oral absorption?
A. Taking the medication with a full glass of water
B. Presence of food in the stomach
C. Empty stomach administration
D. Sublingual placement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Food delays gastric emptying and can bind to drugs, reducing absorption.
Water (A) enhances dissolution. Empty stomach (C) increases absorption. Sublingual
(D) bypasses GI tract entirely.
2. A client is prescribed a transdermal patch. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I will apply a new patch every 8 hours."
B. "I will rotate application sites to avoid skin irritation."
C. "I will cut the patch if the dose seems too high."
D. "I will apply lotion before placing the patch."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Site rotation prevents irritation and dermatitis. Patches are typically 24-72
hours (not 8 hours). Cutting can alter release rate. Lotion prevents adhesion.
3. A nurse administers intravenous (IV) morphine. When will the peak effect
occur?
A. Within 1-2 minutes
B. 15-30 minutes
C. 1-2 hours
D. 4-6 hours
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IV administration delivers drug directly to bloodstream; peak effect occurs
almost immediately (1-2 min). IM or oral (B, C, D) are slower.
4. Which route undergoes extensive first-pass effect in the liver?
A. Sublingual
B. Intravenous
C. Oral
D. Transdermal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Oral drugs are absorbed from GI tract and travel via portal vein to liver,
where metabolism reduces bioavailability. Sublingual (A), IV (B), transdermal (D) bypass
portal circulation.
5. A nurse explains protein binding to a client. Which statement is accurate?
A. Only free drug is pharmacologically active.
B. Protein binding increases drug excretion.
C. Highly protein-bound drugs have a short duration.
D. Malnutrition increases protein binding.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Only unbound (free) drug can reach receptors. Binding decreases excretion
(B) and increases duration (C). Malnutrition decreases binding (D), increasing free drug.
6. A client has a low albumin level. What effect on highly protein-bound drugs
should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased risk of toxicity
B. Increased free drug concentration
C. Slower onset of action
D. Reduced therapeutic effect
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Low albumin means fewer binding sites → more free drug → increased
effect and toxicity risk. Onset may be faster, not slower.
7. Which medication order requires clarification regarding route?
A. Metoprolol 25 mg PO daily
B. Insulin glargine 10 units subcut qHS
C. Furosemide 40 mg IM twice daily
D. Morphine sulfate 5 mg IV push q4h PRN pain
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is rarely given IM (irritating, erratic absorption); IV or PO
preferred. Others are standard routes.
8. A nurse teaches about enteric-coated tablets. Which instruction is correct?
A. Crush the tablet for faster absorption.
B. Avoid crushing; it may cause gastric irritation.
C. Take with antacids to enhance coating.
D. Store in refrigerator to maintain coating.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Enteric coating protects drug from stomach acid or protects stomach from
drug. Crushing destroys the coating and can cause gastric irritation.
9. The nurse understands that a drug's half-life is defined as:
A. The time it takes for the drug to reach peak concentration
B. The time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body
C. The time between drug administration and onset of action
D. The duration of the drug's therapeutic effect
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to
decrease by 50%. It determines dosing intervals and time to reach steady state.
10. A patient with liver disease is receiving a drug metabolized by the liver. The
nurse anticipates:
A. Lower drug levels
B. Higher drug levels and increased risk of toxicity
C. No change in drug levels
D. Faster elimination
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Liver disease impairs drug metabolism, leading to accumulation of the drug
and increased risk of toxicity.
11. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and reviews the concept of
pharmacokinetics. Which statement accurately describes this process?
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.
12. 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 5 half-lives for a drug to be considered effectively
eliminated from the body. With a half-life of 12 hours, 5 × 12 = 60 hours.
Chapter 2: Pharmacodynamics
13. The nurse recognizes that the administration of a drug influences cell
physiology. What is the term for this concept?
A. Pharmacokinetics
B. Pharmacodynamics
C. Pharmacotherapeutics
D. Toxicology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacodynamics is the study of what the drug does to the body (drug
impacts body).
14. A nurse is administering a medication that is an agonist at a receptor site.
Which effect does this medication produce?
A. It blocks the receptor site
B. It activates the receptor site
C. It destroys the receptor site
D. It has no effect on the receptor site
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An agonist is a drug that binds to a receptor and activates it, producing a
pharmacological response. An antagonist (Option A) blocks the receptor.
15. A patient receives a medication that is an agonist at the beta-1 receptor. Which
pharmacodynamic effect is expected?
A. Decreased heart rate and contractility
B. Increased heart rate and contractility
