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ATI PHARMACOLOGY CONTENT MASTERY
REVIEW FULL OFFICIAL ACTUAL EXAM – 2025
EDITION Questions with Correct Answers &
Complete Rationales
Exam Overview
The ATI Pharmacology Content Mastery Review (2025 Edition) is a comprehensive and up-
to-date study resource created to help nursing students and professionals master pharmacologic
principles in preparation for ATI proctored exams and the NCLEX-RN/LPN.
This exam includes verified practice questions, each accompanied by detailed explanations to
strengthen clinical reasoning, drug knowledge, and safe medication administration skills.
Key Focus Areas
Medication Administration & Safety Principles
Cardiovascular & Antihypertensive Agents
Central Nervous System Drugs (Antiepileptics, Psychotropics, Analgesics)
Endocrine & Diabetic Management Drugs
Antibiotics, Antivirals & Antifungals
Gastrointestinal & Respiratory Medications
Emergency & Critical Care Pharmacology
Reproductive, Musculoskeletal, and Immune Agents
1. A nurse administers digoxin 0.125 mg to a client with heart failure. Which
assessment is most important prior to giving the dose?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Apical pulse for 1 minute
C. Capillary refill
D. Blood pressure
Rationale: Digoxin slows AV conduction; bradycardia (<60 bpm) requires
withholding dose.
,2|Page
2. Which instruction should be included when teaching a client about
nitroglycerin sublingual tablets?
A. Store tablets in a pill organizer.
B. Take one tablet every 5 minutes up to three times for chest pain.
C. Swallow tablets with water.
D. Keep tablets in bathroom cabinet.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin should dissolve under tongue; up to 3 doses in 15
minutes; keep in original dark container.
3. A client taking warfarin asks which foods to avoid. The nurse replies:
A. Bananas and apples
B. Milk and cheese
C. Leafy green vegetables
D. Citrus fruits
Rationale: Leafy greens (Vit K) decrease warfarin effectiveness.
4. The nurse recognizes a possible adverse effect of lisinopril (ACE
inhibitor) is:
A. Bradycardia
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Constipation
D. Edema
Rationale: ACE inhibitors increase bradykinin → dry cough and
angioedema risk.
5. Which finding requires immediate attention in a patient on furosemide?
A. BP 120/78 mm Hg
B. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
C. Weight gain of 1 lb in a week
D. Mild tinnitus yesterday
Rationale: Hypokalemia (<3.5) can cause fatal arrhythmias.
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6. The nurse instructs a client taking levothyroxine to:
A. Take on an empty stomach in the morning.
B. Take with breakfast.
C. Skip dose if feeling well.
D. Discontinue after 2 months.
Rationale: Absorption best on empty stomach; lifelong therapy.
7. When teaching about metoprolol, the nurse should tell the patient to
report:
A. Dizziness or slow pulse
B. Insomnia
C. Increased appetite
D. Diarrhea
Rationale: Beta-blockers ↓ HR → possible bradycardia or hypotension.
8. A nurse reviews lab results for a patient on gentamicin. Which value
indicates toxicity?
A. WBC 8 × 10⁹/L
B. Creatinine 2.4 mg/dL
C. Sodium 138 mEq/L
D. Glucose 95 mg/dL
Rationale: Elevated creatinine shows nephrotoxicity from aminoglycosides.
9. Which client statement indicates understanding of insulin glargine
(Lantus)?
A. “I’ll mix it with regular insulin.”
B. “I take it once daily at the same time each day.”
C. “It works right after injection.”
D. “I should store it frozen.”
Rationale: Glargine is long-acting, not mixed with others, given once daily.
10. The nurse explains that the purpose of a loading dose is to:
A. Reduce side effects
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B. Achieve therapeutic drug level quickly
C. Prevent tolerance
D. Extend half-life
Rationale: Large initial dose rapidly reaches steady-state concentration.
11. A client prescribed lithium for bipolar disorder should be taught to:
A. Increase caffeine intake.
B. Maintain consistent sodium and fluid intake.
C. Avoid eating salt completely.
D. Take double dose if missed.
Rationale: Lithium levels rise dangerously with low sodium or dehydration.
12. Which finding is an adverse effect of morphine sulfate?
A. Diarrhea
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hypertension
D. Increased heart rate
Rationale: Opioids depress the CNS and may slow breathing; monitor RR
<12/min.
13. The nurse should withhold metformin if:
A. Blood glucose is 150 mg/dL
B. Client is scheduled for contrast dye procedure
C. HbA1C is 6.5%
D. Client eats a high-protein diet
Rationale: Metformin + contrast dye increases lactic acidosis risk.
14. A nurse caring for a patient on phenytoin should monitor for:
A. Weight loss
B. Gingival hyperplasia
C. Constipation
D. Diarrhea
ATI PHARMACOLOGY CONTENT MASTERY
REVIEW FULL OFFICIAL ACTUAL EXAM – 2025
EDITION Questions with Correct Answers &
Complete Rationales
Exam Overview
The ATI Pharmacology Content Mastery Review (2025 Edition) is a comprehensive and up-
to-date study resource created to help nursing students and professionals master pharmacologic
principles in preparation for ATI proctored exams and the NCLEX-RN/LPN.
This exam includes verified practice questions, each accompanied by detailed explanations to
strengthen clinical reasoning, drug knowledge, and safe medication administration skills.
Key Focus Areas
Medication Administration & Safety Principles
Cardiovascular & Antihypertensive Agents
Central Nervous System Drugs (Antiepileptics, Psychotropics, Analgesics)
Endocrine & Diabetic Management Drugs
Antibiotics, Antivirals & Antifungals
Gastrointestinal & Respiratory Medications
Emergency & Critical Care Pharmacology
Reproductive, Musculoskeletal, and Immune Agents
1. A nurse administers digoxin 0.125 mg to a client with heart failure. Which
assessment is most important prior to giving the dose?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Apical pulse for 1 minute
C. Capillary refill
D. Blood pressure
Rationale: Digoxin slows AV conduction; bradycardia (<60 bpm) requires
withholding dose.
,2|Page
2. Which instruction should be included when teaching a client about
nitroglycerin sublingual tablets?
A. Store tablets in a pill organizer.
B. Take one tablet every 5 minutes up to three times for chest pain.
C. Swallow tablets with water.
D. Keep tablets in bathroom cabinet.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin should dissolve under tongue; up to 3 doses in 15
minutes; keep in original dark container.
3. A client taking warfarin asks which foods to avoid. The nurse replies:
A. Bananas and apples
B. Milk and cheese
C. Leafy green vegetables
D. Citrus fruits
Rationale: Leafy greens (Vit K) decrease warfarin effectiveness.
4. The nurse recognizes a possible adverse effect of lisinopril (ACE
inhibitor) is:
A. Bradycardia
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Constipation
D. Edema
Rationale: ACE inhibitors increase bradykinin → dry cough and
angioedema risk.
5. Which finding requires immediate attention in a patient on furosemide?
A. BP 120/78 mm Hg
B. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
C. Weight gain of 1 lb in a week
D. Mild tinnitus yesterday
Rationale: Hypokalemia (<3.5) can cause fatal arrhythmias.
,3|Page
6. The nurse instructs a client taking levothyroxine to:
A. Take on an empty stomach in the morning.
B. Take with breakfast.
C. Skip dose if feeling well.
D. Discontinue after 2 months.
Rationale: Absorption best on empty stomach; lifelong therapy.
7. When teaching about metoprolol, the nurse should tell the patient to
report:
A. Dizziness or slow pulse
B. Insomnia
C. Increased appetite
D. Diarrhea
Rationale: Beta-blockers ↓ HR → possible bradycardia or hypotension.
8. A nurse reviews lab results for a patient on gentamicin. Which value
indicates toxicity?
A. WBC 8 × 10⁹/L
B. Creatinine 2.4 mg/dL
C. Sodium 138 mEq/L
D. Glucose 95 mg/dL
Rationale: Elevated creatinine shows nephrotoxicity from aminoglycosides.
9. Which client statement indicates understanding of insulin glargine
(Lantus)?
A. “I’ll mix it with regular insulin.”
B. “I take it once daily at the same time each day.”
C. “It works right after injection.”
D. “I should store it frozen.”
Rationale: Glargine is long-acting, not mixed with others, given once daily.
10. The nurse explains that the purpose of a loading dose is to:
A. Reduce side effects
, 4|Page
B. Achieve therapeutic drug level quickly
C. Prevent tolerance
D. Extend half-life
Rationale: Large initial dose rapidly reaches steady-state concentration.
11. A client prescribed lithium for bipolar disorder should be taught to:
A. Increase caffeine intake.
B. Maintain consistent sodium and fluid intake.
C. Avoid eating salt completely.
D. Take double dose if missed.
Rationale: Lithium levels rise dangerously with low sodium or dehydration.
12. Which finding is an adverse effect of morphine sulfate?
A. Diarrhea
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hypertension
D. Increased heart rate
Rationale: Opioids depress the CNS and may slow breathing; monitor RR
<12/min.
13. The nurse should withhold metformin if:
A. Blood glucose is 150 mg/dL
B. Client is scheduled for contrast dye procedure
C. HbA1C is 6.5%
D. Client eats a high-protein diet
Rationale: Metformin + contrast dye increases lactic acidosis risk.
14. A nurse caring for a patient on phenytoin should monitor for:
A. Weight loss
B. Gingival hyperplasia
C. Constipation
D. Diarrhea
