ATI PN Pharmacology Proctored Exam 2026
includes NGN and All 60 Practice Questions and
100% Correct Answers
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 1 day postoperative following an open
cholecystectomy. The client reports pain at the incision site. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
• A. Administer the prescribed opioid analgesic.
• B. Assess the client's pain level using a numeric scale.
• C. Reposition the client for comfort.
• D. Apply a warm compress to the incision site.
• Correct Answer: B. Assess the client's pain level using a numeric scale.
• Rationale: The nursing process begins with assessment. Before
intervening, the nurse must first assess the client's pain level, character, and
location to determine the appropriate intervention and evaluate its
effectiveness.
2. A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L.
Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
• A. White bread
• B. Bananas
• C. Pasta
• D. Apples
• Correct Answer: B. Bananas.
• Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium. Clients with CKD are at risk
for hyperkalemia due to impaired potassium excretion. They should avoid
high-potassium foods like bananas, oranges, and potatoes.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client who has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
about dietary management. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include?
• A. "Lie down immediately after eating."
• B. "Drink a glass of orange juice with breakfast."
• C. "Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day."
• D. "Consume a large meal right before bedtime."
• Correct Answer: C. "Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day."
• Rationale: Small, frequent meals reduce gastric volume and pressure on
the lower esophageal sphincter, decreasing reflux. Clients should avoid lying
down for at least 2-3 hours after eating and avoid acidic foods like orange
juice.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has a suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
in the left leg. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
• A. Coolness and pallor of the left leg.
• B. Unilateral edema and calf pain.
• C. A bounding dorsalis pedis pulse.
• D. A sharp, stabbing pain in the chest.
• Correct Answer: B. Unilateral edema and calf pain.
• Rationale: Classic signs of DVT include unilateral edema, warmth,
erythema, and pain or tenderness in the calf. Coolness and pallor are signs
of arterial insufficiency, not venous thrombosis.
5. A client is admitted with an acute exacerbation of heart failure. Which of the
following findings indicates a need for immediate intervention?
• A. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg.
, • B. Heart rate of 92/min.
• C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air.
• D. 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities.
• Correct Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air.
• Rationale: An oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia and
requires immediate intervention, such as supplemental oxygen. The other
findings are expected in a client with heart failure and are not immediately
life-threatening.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider before
administering the medication?
• A. Heart rate of 58/min.
• B. Potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L.
• C. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg.
• D. Presence of a cough.
• Correct Answer: A. Heart rate of 58/min.
• Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the adult client's heart rate is
below 60/min, as the medication further slows the heart rate and can lead
to bradycardia or heart block. The nurse should hold the dose and notify
the provider.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
• A. Change the TPN tubing every 72 hours.
• B. Monitor the client's blood glucose levels regularly.
• C. Speed up the infusion rate if the client is behind schedule.
, • D. Administer the TPN through a peripheral IV line.
• Correct Answer: B. Monitor the client's blood glucose levels regularly.
• Rationale: TPN contains a high concentration of dextrose, which can
cause hyperglycemia. The nurse must monitor blood glucose levels closely.
TPN tubing is typically changed every 24 hours, and the infusion rate should
never be abruptly increased.
8. A client is postoperative following a thyroidectomy. Which of the following
findings is the priority for the nurse to report?
• A. A hoarse voice.
• B. A feeling of a "lump in the throat."
• C. Stridor and difficulty breathing.
• D. A sore throat.
• Correct Answer: C. Stridor and difficulty breathing.
• Rationale: Stridor and difficulty breathing indicate laryngeal edema or
compression of the trachea, a life-threatening complication of a
thyroidectomy. This requires immediate intervention to maintain a patent
airway.
9. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for warfarin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
• A. "Increase your intake of green, leafy vegetables."
• B. "Use a soft-bristled toothbrush."
• C. "Take aspirin for headaches."
• D. "Avoid using an electric razor."
• Correct Answer: B. "Use a soft-bristled toothbrush."
includes NGN and All 60 Practice Questions and
100% Correct Answers
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 1 day postoperative following an open
cholecystectomy. The client reports pain at the incision site. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
• A. Administer the prescribed opioid analgesic.
• B. Assess the client's pain level using a numeric scale.
• C. Reposition the client for comfort.
• D. Apply a warm compress to the incision site.
• Correct Answer: B. Assess the client's pain level using a numeric scale.
• Rationale: The nursing process begins with assessment. Before
intervening, the nurse must first assess the client's pain level, character, and
location to determine the appropriate intervention and evaluate its
effectiveness.
2. A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L.
Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
• A. White bread
• B. Bananas
• C. Pasta
• D. Apples
• Correct Answer: B. Bananas.
• Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium. Clients with CKD are at risk
for hyperkalemia due to impaired potassium excretion. They should avoid
high-potassium foods like bananas, oranges, and potatoes.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client who has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
about dietary management. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include?
• A. "Lie down immediately after eating."
• B. "Drink a glass of orange juice with breakfast."
• C. "Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day."
• D. "Consume a large meal right before bedtime."
• Correct Answer: C. "Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day."
• Rationale: Small, frequent meals reduce gastric volume and pressure on
the lower esophageal sphincter, decreasing reflux. Clients should avoid lying
down for at least 2-3 hours after eating and avoid acidic foods like orange
juice.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has a suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
in the left leg. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
• A. Coolness and pallor of the left leg.
• B. Unilateral edema and calf pain.
• C. A bounding dorsalis pedis pulse.
• D. A sharp, stabbing pain in the chest.
• Correct Answer: B. Unilateral edema and calf pain.
• Rationale: Classic signs of DVT include unilateral edema, warmth,
erythema, and pain or tenderness in the calf. Coolness and pallor are signs
of arterial insufficiency, not venous thrombosis.
5. A client is admitted with an acute exacerbation of heart failure. Which of the
following findings indicates a need for immediate intervention?
• A. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg.
, • B. Heart rate of 92/min.
• C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air.
• D. 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities.
• Correct Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air.
• Rationale: An oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia and
requires immediate intervention, such as supplemental oxygen. The other
findings are expected in a client with heart failure and are not immediately
life-threatening.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider before
administering the medication?
• A. Heart rate of 58/min.
• B. Potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L.
• C. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg.
• D. Presence of a cough.
• Correct Answer: A. Heart rate of 58/min.
• Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the adult client's heart rate is
below 60/min, as the medication further slows the heart rate and can lead
to bradycardia or heart block. The nurse should hold the dose and notify
the provider.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
• A. Change the TPN tubing every 72 hours.
• B. Monitor the client's blood glucose levels regularly.
• C. Speed up the infusion rate if the client is behind schedule.
, • D. Administer the TPN through a peripheral IV line.
• Correct Answer: B. Monitor the client's blood glucose levels regularly.
• Rationale: TPN contains a high concentration of dextrose, which can
cause hyperglycemia. The nurse must monitor blood glucose levels closely.
TPN tubing is typically changed every 24 hours, and the infusion rate should
never be abruptly increased.
8. A client is postoperative following a thyroidectomy. Which of the following
findings is the priority for the nurse to report?
• A. A hoarse voice.
• B. A feeling of a "lump in the throat."
• C. Stridor and difficulty breathing.
• D. A sore throat.
• Correct Answer: C. Stridor and difficulty breathing.
• Rationale: Stridor and difficulty breathing indicate laryngeal edema or
compression of the trachea, a life-threatening complication of a
thyroidectomy. This requires immediate intervention to maintain a patent
airway.
9. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for warfarin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
• A. "Increase your intake of green, leafy vegetables."
• B. "Use a soft-bristled toothbrush."
• C. "Take aspirin for headaches."
• D. "Avoid using an electric razor."
• Correct Answer: B. "Use a soft-bristled toothbrush."
