Pharm ATI 2025 Study Guide | 100+ Practice Questions, Rationales
& Key Pharmacology Concepts Pharmacology ATI 2025 Exam
Review | Ultimate Guide for Nursing Students to Pass the ATI
Pharmacology Test
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory data on a client who has a new prescription
for heparin for treatment of a pulmonary embolism. Which of the following data
should the nurse report to the provider?
Platelets 74,000/mm3
ANSWER
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a disorder characterized by low platelet counts. It
is an adverse effect of heparin that causes the activation of platelets, resulting in
widespread clot formation and depletion of platelets. The expected reference range for
platelets is 150,000-400,000/mm3.
A home health nurse is making a home visit to a client who takes a daily diuretic
for heart failure. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse identify
as indicating the client is hypokalemic?
Fatigue
ANSWER
The nurse should expect to find the client with fatigue due to muscle weakness with
hypokalemia.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for lithium to treat bipolar
disorder. The nurse should instruct the client to ensure an adequate intake of
which of the following dietary elements?
Sodium
ANSWER
Lithium is a salt. If sodium level falls, the client will retain lithium and have an increased
risk for lithium toxicity.
A nurse in the ICU is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving a
dobutamine drip. The nurse should identify that which of the following findings
indicates that the medication is effective?
Increased urine output
Dobutamine is administered to clients who have heart failure to improve their
hemodynamic status. The nurse should identify an increase in client's urine output as an
indication that the medication is effective.
A nurse is preparing to administer 0.9% sodium chloride 1,200 mL IV to infuse
over 24 hr. The drop factor of the manual IV tubing is 15 gtt/mL. The nurse should
set the manual IV infusion to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round the answer to the
nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
13gtt/min
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving dopamine IV to treat left ventricular
failure. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the
medication is having a therapeutic effect?
,systolic blood pressure is increased
ANSWER
When dopamine has a therapeutic effect, it causes vasoconstriction peripherally and
increases systolic blood pressure.
A nurse is talking with the parents of a child who is about to start using a
metered-dose inhaler to treat asthma. The nurse should explain that the child will
be using a spacer for which of the following reasons?
Increases the amount of medication delivered to the lungs
ANSWER
A spacer increases the amount of medication that reaches the lungs.
A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed 15 units of NPH insulin to be
administered at 0700. At which of the following times of day should the nurse
plan to offer a snack?
1500
Eight hr after NPH administration is the middle of the peak time for intermediate acting
insulins. The client is at greatest risk for hypoglycemia and this may require a snack at
this time. Clients should be educated to check blood glucose about 8 to 10 hr after
administration of NPH insulin, and if hypoglycemic, consume a small snack of 15 grams
of carbohydrates, followed by rechecking of the blood glucose in 15 min. If the blood
glucose has returned to normal at this time, the client should then consume a small
amount of protein to maintain a steady-state glucose level. All clients should receive
education on signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
A nurse caring for a client who has hypertension and asks the nurse about a
prescription for propranolol. The nurse should inform the client that this
medication is contraindicated in clients who have a history of which of the
following conditions?
Asthma
ANSWER
Propranolol, a beta-blocker, is contraindicated in clients who have asthma because it
can cause bronchospasms. Propranolol blocks the sympathetic stimulation, which
prevents smooth muscle relaxation.
A nurse is preparing to administer orlistat (Xenical) to a client for treatment of
obesity. Which of the following is an adverse effect should the nurse monitor?
Oily fecal spotting
The client may expect the adverse effect of oily fecal spotting because of the GI tract's
decreased absorption of fat.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for colchicine to treat
gout. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
"Monitor for muscle pain."
ANSWER
This medication can cause rhabdomyolysis. The client should monitor and report
muscle pain.
A nurse is preparing to administer heparin to a client. Which of the following
actions should the nurse plan to take?
The nurse should inject the medication into the abdomen above the level of the iliac
crest, at least 2 inches from the umbilicus.
, A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition via a
peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). When assessing the client, the
nurse notes swelling of the client's arm above the PICC insertion site. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
Measure the circumference of both upper arms.
The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process is to assess the client.
The nurse should measure the arm and compare the result with the circumference of
the other arm. If the arm is swollen, the nurse should notify the provider who inserted
the PICC line. Swelling could indicate formation of a clot above the site or even catheter
rupture.
A nurse on an oncology unit is preparing to administer doxorubicin to a client
who has breast cancer. Prior to beginning the infusion, the nurse verifies the
client's current cumulative lifetime dose of the medication. For which of the
following reasons is this verification necessary?
c. An excess amount of doxorubicin can lead to cardiomyopathy
Doxorubicin is an antineoplastic antibiotic used in the treatment of various cancers.
Irreversible cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure can result from repeated
doses of doxorubicin, and prolonged use can also cause severe heart damage, even
years after the client has stopped taking it. The maximum cumulative dose a client
should receive is 550 mg/m2 or 450 mg/m2with a history of radiation to the
mediastinum.
A nurse is caring for a client who has thrombophlebitis and is receiving heparin
by continuous IV infusion. The client asks the nurse how long it will take for the
heparin to dissolve the clot. Which of the following responses should the nurse
give?
Heparin does not dissolve clots. It stop new clots from forming.
A nurse is providing education to a client who is in labor and has a prescription
for a continuous IV infusion of oxytocin. Which of the information should the
nurse include?
Your contractions will become stronger and more frequent."
Oxytocin is diluted with sodium chloride and administered IV via an infusion pump
device to induce or strengthen uterine contractions during labor. The client who is
receiving an oxytocin drip is closely monitored to promote a safe delivery and prevent
maternal and/or fetal complications. The desired concentration of oxytocin medication is
determined by the desired labor contraction pattern that should increase in frequency,
duration, and intensity. The nurse closely monitors risks of continuous IV infusion of
oxytocin to determine when to discontinue the medication. Risks include fetal distress
(fetal bradycardia) caused by hyper-stimulation of the uterus compromising blood flow
to the fetus. Uterine contractions lasting longer than 90 seconds should prompt the
nurse to discontinue the medication.
A client's IV bag of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is empty, and the new bag has
not arrived from the pharmacy. Which of the following is the most appropriate
intervention for the nurse to make?
& Key Pharmacology Concepts Pharmacology ATI 2025 Exam
Review | Ultimate Guide for Nursing Students to Pass the ATI
Pharmacology Test
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory data on a client who has a new prescription
for heparin for treatment of a pulmonary embolism. Which of the following data
should the nurse report to the provider?
Platelets 74,000/mm3
ANSWER
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a disorder characterized by low platelet counts. It
is an adverse effect of heparin that causes the activation of platelets, resulting in
widespread clot formation and depletion of platelets. The expected reference range for
platelets is 150,000-400,000/mm3.
A home health nurse is making a home visit to a client who takes a daily diuretic
for heart failure. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse identify
as indicating the client is hypokalemic?
Fatigue
ANSWER
The nurse should expect to find the client with fatigue due to muscle weakness with
hypokalemia.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for lithium to treat bipolar
disorder. The nurse should instruct the client to ensure an adequate intake of
which of the following dietary elements?
Sodium
ANSWER
Lithium is a salt. If sodium level falls, the client will retain lithium and have an increased
risk for lithium toxicity.
A nurse in the ICU is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving a
dobutamine drip. The nurse should identify that which of the following findings
indicates that the medication is effective?
Increased urine output
Dobutamine is administered to clients who have heart failure to improve their
hemodynamic status. The nurse should identify an increase in client's urine output as an
indication that the medication is effective.
A nurse is preparing to administer 0.9% sodium chloride 1,200 mL IV to infuse
over 24 hr. The drop factor of the manual IV tubing is 15 gtt/mL. The nurse should
set the manual IV infusion to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round the answer to the
nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
13gtt/min
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving dopamine IV to treat left ventricular
failure. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the
medication is having a therapeutic effect?
,systolic blood pressure is increased
ANSWER
When dopamine has a therapeutic effect, it causes vasoconstriction peripherally and
increases systolic blood pressure.
A nurse is talking with the parents of a child who is about to start using a
metered-dose inhaler to treat asthma. The nurse should explain that the child will
be using a spacer for which of the following reasons?
Increases the amount of medication delivered to the lungs
ANSWER
A spacer increases the amount of medication that reaches the lungs.
A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed 15 units of NPH insulin to be
administered at 0700. At which of the following times of day should the nurse
plan to offer a snack?
1500
Eight hr after NPH administration is the middle of the peak time for intermediate acting
insulins. The client is at greatest risk for hypoglycemia and this may require a snack at
this time. Clients should be educated to check blood glucose about 8 to 10 hr after
administration of NPH insulin, and if hypoglycemic, consume a small snack of 15 grams
of carbohydrates, followed by rechecking of the blood glucose in 15 min. If the blood
glucose has returned to normal at this time, the client should then consume a small
amount of protein to maintain a steady-state glucose level. All clients should receive
education on signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
A nurse caring for a client who has hypertension and asks the nurse about a
prescription for propranolol. The nurse should inform the client that this
medication is contraindicated in clients who have a history of which of the
following conditions?
Asthma
ANSWER
Propranolol, a beta-blocker, is contraindicated in clients who have asthma because it
can cause bronchospasms. Propranolol blocks the sympathetic stimulation, which
prevents smooth muscle relaxation.
A nurse is preparing to administer orlistat (Xenical) to a client for treatment of
obesity. Which of the following is an adverse effect should the nurse monitor?
Oily fecal spotting
The client may expect the adverse effect of oily fecal spotting because of the GI tract's
decreased absorption of fat.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for colchicine to treat
gout. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
"Monitor for muscle pain."
ANSWER
This medication can cause rhabdomyolysis. The client should monitor and report
muscle pain.
A nurse is preparing to administer heparin to a client. Which of the following
actions should the nurse plan to take?
The nurse should inject the medication into the abdomen above the level of the iliac
crest, at least 2 inches from the umbilicus.
, A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition via a
peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). When assessing the client, the
nurse notes swelling of the client's arm above the PICC insertion site. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
Measure the circumference of both upper arms.
The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process is to assess the client.
The nurse should measure the arm and compare the result with the circumference of
the other arm. If the arm is swollen, the nurse should notify the provider who inserted
the PICC line. Swelling could indicate formation of a clot above the site or even catheter
rupture.
A nurse on an oncology unit is preparing to administer doxorubicin to a client
who has breast cancer. Prior to beginning the infusion, the nurse verifies the
client's current cumulative lifetime dose of the medication. For which of the
following reasons is this verification necessary?
c. An excess amount of doxorubicin can lead to cardiomyopathy
Doxorubicin is an antineoplastic antibiotic used in the treatment of various cancers.
Irreversible cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure can result from repeated
doses of doxorubicin, and prolonged use can also cause severe heart damage, even
years after the client has stopped taking it. The maximum cumulative dose a client
should receive is 550 mg/m2 or 450 mg/m2with a history of radiation to the
mediastinum.
A nurse is caring for a client who has thrombophlebitis and is receiving heparin
by continuous IV infusion. The client asks the nurse how long it will take for the
heparin to dissolve the clot. Which of the following responses should the nurse
give?
Heparin does not dissolve clots. It stop new clots from forming.
A nurse is providing education to a client who is in labor and has a prescription
for a continuous IV infusion of oxytocin. Which of the information should the
nurse include?
Your contractions will become stronger and more frequent."
Oxytocin is diluted with sodium chloride and administered IV via an infusion pump
device to induce or strengthen uterine contractions during labor. The client who is
receiving an oxytocin drip is closely monitored to promote a safe delivery and prevent
maternal and/or fetal complications. The desired concentration of oxytocin medication is
determined by the desired labor contraction pattern that should increase in frequency,
duration, and intensity. The nurse closely monitors risks of continuous IV infusion of
oxytocin to determine when to discontinue the medication. Risks include fetal distress
(fetal bradycardia) caused by hyper-stimulation of the uterus compromising blood flow
to the fetus. Uterine contractions lasting longer than 90 seconds should prompt the
nurse to discontinue the medication.
A client's IV bag of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is empty, and the new bag has
not arrived from the pharmacy. Which of the following is the most appropriate
intervention for the nurse to make?
