ATI PN Pharmacology Proctored Exam Actual
Exam 2026/2027 | Questions with Verified
Answers | 100% Correct | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Pharmacokinetics, Principles, & Safety
Q1: A practical nurse is preparing to administer a medication from a multidose vial.
According to the "Right Medication" principle, when must the nurse check the
medication label against the MAR?
A. When removing the vial from storage and again during preparation
B. When removing from storage, during preparation, and at the bedside before
administration
C. When removing from storage, then asking the client to state the medication name
D. When removing from storage, then verifying the expiration date at the bedside
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The "Right Medication" requires three systematic checks: (1) when removing
from storage, (2) during preparation, and (3) at the bedside immediately before
administration to the client. Option B correctly identifies this complete sequence. Option
A omits the crucial final check at the bedside. Option C is unsafe as clients cannot
reliably verify medications and this does not fulfill the nurse's responsibility. Option D
incorrectly substitutes checking an expiration date for one of the required label-to-MAR
verification steps.
Q2: The nurse receives an order for insulin glargine 24 units subcutaneous for a client
with Type 2 diabetes. What is the priority safety action before administration?
A. Verify the dose with another licensed nurse per facility policy
B. Draw the dose immediately after receiving the order
,C. Check the client's blood glucose 30 minutes after administration
D. Ask the client to confirm their insulin dosage
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin is a high-alert medication requiring an independent double-check by
two licensed nurses per most facility policies and best practice guidelines. Option A
fulfills this critical safety requirement. Option B is premature without completing safety
checks. Option C describes post-administration monitoring, not a pre-administration
safety check. Option D is incorrect because client verification does not replace the
mandatory double-check requirement and clients may provide unreliable information.
Q3: The nurse enters a client's room to administer morning medications. The client in
the next bed has an identical last name (Johnson, T. vs Johnson, R.). What is the most
appropriate action to ensure "Right Patient"?
A. Verify the room number and administer to the client in bed A
B. Ask the client "Are you Mr. Johnson?" and proceed if they confirm
C. Check the client's identification band with two identifiers (name and date of birth)
D. Look at the name posted above the bed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The "Right Patient" requires using two unique identifiers directly from the
client (typically name and date of birth from the ID band) to verify identity. Option C is
the only method that meets this Joint Commission standard. Option A is unsafe as
room numbers can change and beds may be reassigned. Option B is unreliable as
clients may respond to an incorrect name, especially if hearing is impaired or
disoriented. Option D is prohibited as bed assignments and posted names are not
reliable identifiers and can be incorrect.
Q4: The provider's order reads: "Give furosemide 20 mg now." The medication is
available as 20 mg tablets and 10 mg/mL injection. What is the nurse's best action?
A. Administer one 20 mg tablet PO since the route is most common
B. Hold the medication until the provider clarifies the route
, C. Give the IV injection for faster effect
D. Ask the client which form they prefer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The "Right Route" requires explicit provider orders. Option B upholds this
principle and prevents medication error. Option A assumes a route not specified,
violating the rights of administration. Option C similarly assumes a route and acts
outside the order parameters. Option D is inappropriate as client preference does not
determine medication route; the provider must specify.
Q5: A client received morphine 4 mg IV at 0800 for postoperative pain (rated 8/10). At
0930, the client rates pain 4/10. The next PRN dose is ordered q2h PRN. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the next PRN dose at 1000 since 2 hours have passed
B. Reassess pain at 1000 and administer only if pain is ≥7/10
C. Reassess pain at 1000 and administer based on client's report of pain
D. Do not offer PRN medication until pain returns to 8/10
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PRN medications require assessment at the ordered interval to determine
client need. Option C properly applies the "Right Time" and "Right Assessment"
principles by evaluating the client's current status. Option A violates the "Right
Assessment" by administering without evaluation. Option B incorrectly adds a
facility-defined pain threshold not in the order. Option D withholds medication
unnecessarily, violating client advocacy.
Q6: The nurse administers heparin 5000 units subcutaneous at 1400. When should the
administration be documented in the MAR?
A. Immediately after administration at 1400
B. At the end of shift during charting time
C. Before leaving the medication cart area
D. After calling the provider to report administration
Exam 2026/2027 | Questions with Verified
Answers | 100% Correct | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Pharmacokinetics, Principles, & Safety
Q1: A practical nurse is preparing to administer a medication from a multidose vial.
According to the "Right Medication" principle, when must the nurse check the
medication label against the MAR?
A. When removing the vial from storage and again during preparation
B. When removing from storage, during preparation, and at the bedside before
administration
C. When removing from storage, then asking the client to state the medication name
D. When removing from storage, then verifying the expiration date at the bedside
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The "Right Medication" requires three systematic checks: (1) when removing
from storage, (2) during preparation, and (3) at the bedside immediately before
administration to the client. Option B correctly identifies this complete sequence. Option
A omits the crucial final check at the bedside. Option C is unsafe as clients cannot
reliably verify medications and this does not fulfill the nurse's responsibility. Option D
incorrectly substitutes checking an expiration date for one of the required label-to-MAR
verification steps.
Q2: The nurse receives an order for insulin glargine 24 units subcutaneous for a client
with Type 2 diabetes. What is the priority safety action before administration?
A. Verify the dose with another licensed nurse per facility policy
B. Draw the dose immediately after receiving the order
,C. Check the client's blood glucose 30 minutes after administration
D. Ask the client to confirm their insulin dosage
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin is a high-alert medication requiring an independent double-check by
two licensed nurses per most facility policies and best practice guidelines. Option A
fulfills this critical safety requirement. Option B is premature without completing safety
checks. Option C describes post-administration monitoring, not a pre-administration
safety check. Option D is incorrect because client verification does not replace the
mandatory double-check requirement and clients may provide unreliable information.
Q3: The nurse enters a client's room to administer morning medications. The client in
the next bed has an identical last name (Johnson, T. vs Johnson, R.). What is the most
appropriate action to ensure "Right Patient"?
A. Verify the room number and administer to the client in bed A
B. Ask the client "Are you Mr. Johnson?" and proceed if they confirm
C. Check the client's identification band with two identifiers (name and date of birth)
D. Look at the name posted above the bed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The "Right Patient" requires using two unique identifiers directly from the
client (typically name and date of birth from the ID band) to verify identity. Option C is
the only method that meets this Joint Commission standard. Option A is unsafe as
room numbers can change and beds may be reassigned. Option B is unreliable as
clients may respond to an incorrect name, especially if hearing is impaired or
disoriented. Option D is prohibited as bed assignments and posted names are not
reliable identifiers and can be incorrect.
Q4: The provider's order reads: "Give furosemide 20 mg now." The medication is
available as 20 mg tablets and 10 mg/mL injection. What is the nurse's best action?
A. Administer one 20 mg tablet PO since the route is most common
B. Hold the medication until the provider clarifies the route
, C. Give the IV injection for faster effect
D. Ask the client which form they prefer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The "Right Route" requires explicit provider orders. Option B upholds this
principle and prevents medication error. Option A assumes a route not specified,
violating the rights of administration. Option C similarly assumes a route and acts
outside the order parameters. Option D is inappropriate as client preference does not
determine medication route; the provider must specify.
Q5: A client received morphine 4 mg IV at 0800 for postoperative pain (rated 8/10). At
0930, the client rates pain 4/10. The next PRN dose is ordered q2h PRN. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the next PRN dose at 1000 since 2 hours have passed
B. Reassess pain at 1000 and administer only if pain is ≥7/10
C. Reassess pain at 1000 and administer based on client's report of pain
D. Do not offer PRN medication until pain returns to 8/10
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PRN medications require assessment at the ordered interval to determine
client need. Option C properly applies the "Right Time" and "Right Assessment"
principles by evaluating the client's current status. Option A violates the "Right
Assessment" by administering without evaluation. Option B incorrectly adds a
facility-defined pain threshold not in the order. Option D withholds medication
unnecessarily, violating client advocacy.
Q6: The nurse administers heparin 5000 units subcutaneous at 1400. When should the
administration be documented in the MAR?
A. Immediately after administration at 1400
B. At the end of shift during charting time
C. Before leaving the medication cart area
D. After calling the provider to report administration
