ATI-STYLE PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an adult client.
Which finding should cause the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate 18/min
,C. Apical pulse 54/min
D. Temperature 37.0°C
Answer: C. Apical pulse 54/min
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should generally
withhold digoxin and notify the provider when the adult apical pulse
is below 60/min.
2. A client taking warfarin asks which laboratory test is used to
monitor therapy. Which response should the nurse provide?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Serum sodium
D. Platelet count
Answer: B. INR
Rationale: The international normalized ratio (INR) is used to monitor
the therapeutic effect of warfarin.
3. A nurse is teaching a client who is taking lisinopril. Which
adverse effect should the nurse instruct the client to report
immediately?
A. Mild headache
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
Rationale: Facial, lip, or tongue swelling can indicate angioedema, a
potentially life-threatening reaction to ACE inhibitors.
,4. Which instruction should a nurse give a client taking furosemide?
A. Increase intake of potassium-rich foods unless contraindicated.
B. Take the medication immediately before bedtime.
C. Avoid monitoring daily weight.
D. Expect increased serum potassium levels.
Answer: A. Increase intake of potassium-rich foods unless
contraindicated.
Rationale: Furosemide can cause potassium loss. Potassium intake
and serum potassium should be monitored.
5. A client receiving morphine has a respiratory rate of 8/min.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose.
B. Encourage oral fluids.
C. Hold the morphine and assess the client.
D. Place the client in Trendelenburg position.
Answer: C. Hold the morphine and assess the client.
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a serious opioid adverse effect.
The nurse should withhold the medication and immediately assess
airway and breathing.
6. Which medication reverses opioid-induced respiratory
depression?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: B. Naloxone
, Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-
induced respiratory and central nervous system depression.
7. A nurse is administering insulin lispro. When should the nurse
expect the medication to begin acting?
A. Within about 15 minutes
B. In 2–4 hours
C. In 8–12 hours
D. After 24 hours
Answer: A. Within about 15 minutes
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin that begins working within
approximately 15 minutes.
8. Which finding is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Deep, rapid respirations
Answer: C. Diaphoresis and tremors
Rationale: Adrenergic manifestations of hypoglycemia include
sweating, tremors, palpitations, anxiety, and hunger.
9. A client taking metformin is scheduled for a CT scan with
iodinated contrast. Which action is appropriate?
A. Administer metformin immediately before the procedure.
B. Discuss temporarily withholding metformin with the provider.
C. Double the dose after the procedure.
D. Replace metformin with insulin permanently.
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an adult client.
Which finding should cause the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate 18/min
,C. Apical pulse 54/min
D. Temperature 37.0°C
Answer: C. Apical pulse 54/min
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should generally
withhold digoxin and notify the provider when the adult apical pulse
is below 60/min.
2. A client taking warfarin asks which laboratory test is used to
monitor therapy. Which response should the nurse provide?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Serum sodium
D. Platelet count
Answer: B. INR
Rationale: The international normalized ratio (INR) is used to monitor
the therapeutic effect of warfarin.
3. A nurse is teaching a client who is taking lisinopril. Which
adverse effect should the nurse instruct the client to report
immediately?
A. Mild headache
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
Rationale: Facial, lip, or tongue swelling can indicate angioedema, a
potentially life-threatening reaction to ACE inhibitors.
,4. Which instruction should a nurse give a client taking furosemide?
A. Increase intake of potassium-rich foods unless contraindicated.
B. Take the medication immediately before bedtime.
C. Avoid monitoring daily weight.
D. Expect increased serum potassium levels.
Answer: A. Increase intake of potassium-rich foods unless
contraindicated.
Rationale: Furosemide can cause potassium loss. Potassium intake
and serum potassium should be monitored.
5. A client receiving morphine has a respiratory rate of 8/min.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose.
B. Encourage oral fluids.
C. Hold the morphine and assess the client.
D. Place the client in Trendelenburg position.
Answer: C. Hold the morphine and assess the client.
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a serious opioid adverse effect.
The nurse should withhold the medication and immediately assess
airway and breathing.
6. Which medication reverses opioid-induced respiratory
depression?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: B. Naloxone
, Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-
induced respiratory and central nervous system depression.
7. A nurse is administering insulin lispro. When should the nurse
expect the medication to begin acting?
A. Within about 15 minutes
B. In 2–4 hours
C. In 8–12 hours
D. After 24 hours
Answer: A. Within about 15 minutes
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin that begins working within
approximately 15 minutes.
8. Which finding is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Deep, rapid respirations
Answer: C. Diaphoresis and tremors
Rationale: Adrenergic manifestations of hypoglycemia include
sweating, tremors, palpitations, anxiety, and hunger.
9. A client taking metformin is scheduled for a CT scan with
iodinated contrast. Which action is appropriate?
A. Administer metformin immediately before the procedure.
B. Discuss temporarily withholding metformin with the provider.
C. Double the dose after the procedure.
D. Replace metformin with insulin permanently.
