ATI CAPSTONE EXAM /APPROVED ATI CAPSTONE PHARMACOLOGY
PROCTORED EXAM ACTUAL 2026/2027 HIGH YIELD PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE ACCURATE EXAM
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous IV infusion of
unfractionated heparin for treatment of an acute thrombotic disorder. The
client develops bleeding from the gums, hematuria, and a markedly
prolonged aPTT. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering to reverse the anticoagulant effect?
A. Phytonadione
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Idarucizumab
Answer: B
2. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an adult client who has heart
failure. The client reports nausea and visual changes, and the apical pulse is
54/min. Which action should the nurse take before administering the
prescribed dose?
A. Administer the medication with food
B. Give half of the prescribed dose
C. Hold the medication and notify the provider
D. Administer the dose and recheck the pulse later
Answer: C
3. A nurse is teaching a client who has hypertension and a new prescription
for lisinopril. Which client statement indicates a need for additional
teaching about this medication?
A. “I will report swelling of my lips or tongue immediately.”
B. “I will have my blood pressure monitored regularly.”
C. “I can continue taking potassium supplements without discussing them
with my provider.”
D. “I should tell my provider if I develop a persistent cough.”
Answer: C
pg. 1
, 4. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV vancomycin for a serious
bacterial infection. The prescription states that 1 g should be infused over
30 min. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication over 30 min as prescribed
B. Contact the provider to clarify the infusion rate
C. Administer the medication by IV push
D. Add the medication to a larger bag and administer it immediately
Answer: B
5. A client receiving morphine after surgery becomes difficult to arouse and
has a respiratory rate of 7/min with shallow respirations. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Vitamin K
Answer: A
6. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new
prescription for warfarin. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Avoid all foods containing vitamin K permanently
B. Take aspirin daily unless bleeding develops
C. Maintain a consistent intake of foods containing vitamin K
D. Stop the medication whenever bruising occurs
Answer: C
7. A client prescribed potassium chloride extended-release tablets asks the
nurse whether the tablet can be crushed because of difficulty swallowing.
Which response should the nurse make?
A. “Crush it and mix it with applesauce.”
B. “Dissolve it in a small amount of water.”
C. “Split the tablet and take each half separately.”
D. “Do not crush or chew the extended-release tablet.”
Answer: D
pg. 2
, 8. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving furosemide for heart failure.
Which laboratory finding requires the greatest attention?
A. Sodium 139 mEq/L
B. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
C. Chloride 101 mEq/L
D. Calcium 9.1 mg/dL
Answer: B
9. A client receiving an ACE inhibitor develops swelling of the tongue, lips, and
face. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose
B. Place the client in a supine position
C. Assess the airway and obtain emergency assistance
D. Encourage oral fluids
Answer: C
10. A nurse is teaching a client who has asthma about the use of a short-acting
beta2 agonist such as albuterol. Which statement by the client
demonstrates understanding?
A. “I will use this medication for rapid relief of acute bronchospasm.”
B. “I will use this medication once weekly regardless of symptoms.”
C. “I should stop using my inhaled corticosteroid.”
D. “This medication prevents all future asthma attacks.”
Answer: A
11. A nurse is teaching a client who has asthma and a new prescription for an
inhaled corticosteroid. Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. Use the medication only during severe acute attacks
B. Rinse the mouth after inhalation
C. Stop the medication when symptoms improve
D. Take the medication immediately after every meal
Answer: B
12. A nurse is assessing a client receiving prednisone for an inflammatory
disorder. Which finding should the nurse recognize as a potential adverse
pg. 3
, effect requiring monitoring?
A. Severe hypoglycemia
B. Increased immune response
C. Hyperglycemia and increased infection risk
D. Permanent increase in bone density
Answer: C
13. A client has been taking prednisone for several weeks and reports feeling
better. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I should follow the prescribed tapering schedule.”
B. “I should not abruptly discontinue this medication.”
C. “I will report signs of infection.”
D. “I can stop the medication today because my symptoms have improved.”
Answer: D
14. A nurse is caring for a client who takes metformin for type 2 diabetes
mellitus and is scheduled for a radiographic procedure using iodinated
contrast. Which action should the nurse anticipate?
A. Continue metformin regardless of kidney function
B. Hold metformin according to the prescribed contrast-related protocol
C. Double the metformin dose after the procedure
D. Administer metformin intravenously
Answer: B
15. A client receiving insulin lispro asks when the medication should generally
be administered in relation to meals. Which response is appropriate?
A. Immediately before or with the meal as prescribed
B. At bedtime only
C. Two hours after eating
D. Once weekly before breakfast
Answer: A
16. A nurse is preparing to administer regular insulin and NPH insulin in the
same syringe. Which action is appropriate?
A. Withdraw NPH insulin before regular insulin
pg. 4
PROCTORED EXAM ACTUAL 2026/2027 HIGH YIELD PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE ACCURATE EXAM
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous IV infusion of
unfractionated heparin for treatment of an acute thrombotic disorder. The
client develops bleeding from the gums, hematuria, and a markedly
prolonged aPTT. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering to reverse the anticoagulant effect?
A. Phytonadione
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Idarucizumab
Answer: B
2. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an adult client who has heart
failure. The client reports nausea and visual changes, and the apical pulse is
54/min. Which action should the nurse take before administering the
prescribed dose?
A. Administer the medication with food
B. Give half of the prescribed dose
C. Hold the medication and notify the provider
D. Administer the dose and recheck the pulse later
Answer: C
3. A nurse is teaching a client who has hypertension and a new prescription
for lisinopril. Which client statement indicates a need for additional
teaching about this medication?
A. “I will report swelling of my lips or tongue immediately.”
B. “I will have my blood pressure monitored regularly.”
C. “I can continue taking potassium supplements without discussing them
with my provider.”
D. “I should tell my provider if I develop a persistent cough.”
Answer: C
pg. 1
, 4. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV vancomycin for a serious
bacterial infection. The prescription states that 1 g should be infused over
30 min. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication over 30 min as prescribed
B. Contact the provider to clarify the infusion rate
C. Administer the medication by IV push
D. Add the medication to a larger bag and administer it immediately
Answer: B
5. A client receiving morphine after surgery becomes difficult to arouse and
has a respiratory rate of 7/min with shallow respirations. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Vitamin K
Answer: A
6. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new
prescription for warfarin. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Avoid all foods containing vitamin K permanently
B. Take aspirin daily unless bleeding develops
C. Maintain a consistent intake of foods containing vitamin K
D. Stop the medication whenever bruising occurs
Answer: C
7. A client prescribed potassium chloride extended-release tablets asks the
nurse whether the tablet can be crushed because of difficulty swallowing.
Which response should the nurse make?
A. “Crush it and mix it with applesauce.”
B. “Dissolve it in a small amount of water.”
C. “Split the tablet and take each half separately.”
D. “Do not crush or chew the extended-release tablet.”
Answer: D
pg. 2
, 8. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving furosemide for heart failure.
Which laboratory finding requires the greatest attention?
A. Sodium 139 mEq/L
B. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
C. Chloride 101 mEq/L
D. Calcium 9.1 mg/dL
Answer: B
9. A client receiving an ACE inhibitor develops swelling of the tongue, lips, and
face. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose
B. Place the client in a supine position
C. Assess the airway and obtain emergency assistance
D. Encourage oral fluids
Answer: C
10. A nurse is teaching a client who has asthma about the use of a short-acting
beta2 agonist such as albuterol. Which statement by the client
demonstrates understanding?
A. “I will use this medication for rapid relief of acute bronchospasm.”
B. “I will use this medication once weekly regardless of symptoms.”
C. “I should stop using my inhaled corticosteroid.”
D. “This medication prevents all future asthma attacks.”
Answer: A
11. A nurse is teaching a client who has asthma and a new prescription for an
inhaled corticosteroid. Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. Use the medication only during severe acute attacks
B. Rinse the mouth after inhalation
C. Stop the medication when symptoms improve
D. Take the medication immediately after every meal
Answer: B
12. A nurse is assessing a client receiving prednisone for an inflammatory
disorder. Which finding should the nurse recognize as a potential adverse
pg. 3
, effect requiring monitoring?
A. Severe hypoglycemia
B. Increased immune response
C. Hyperglycemia and increased infection risk
D. Permanent increase in bone density
Answer: C
13. A client has been taking prednisone for several weeks and reports feeling
better. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I should follow the prescribed tapering schedule.”
B. “I should not abruptly discontinue this medication.”
C. “I will report signs of infection.”
D. “I can stop the medication today because my symptoms have improved.”
Answer: D
14. A nurse is caring for a client who takes metformin for type 2 diabetes
mellitus and is scheduled for a radiographic procedure using iodinated
contrast. Which action should the nurse anticipate?
A. Continue metformin regardless of kidney function
B. Hold metformin according to the prescribed contrast-related protocol
C. Double the metformin dose after the procedure
D. Administer metformin intravenously
Answer: B
15. A client receiving insulin lispro asks when the medication should generally
be administered in relation to meals. Which response is appropriate?
A. Immediately before or with the meal as prescribed
B. At bedtime only
C. Two hours after eating
D. Once weekly before breakfast
Answer: A
16. A nurse is preparing to administer regular insulin and NPH insulin in the
same syringe. Which action is appropriate?
A. Withdraw NPH insulin before regular insulin
pg. 4
