ATI PN Pharmacology Proctored Exam Actual
Exam 2026/2027 | Questions with Verified
Answers | 100% Correct | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Pharmacokinetics, Principles, & Safety
Q1: The LPN is preparing to give a PO medication. The patient states, "That pill looks
different from what I usually take." Which action is correct?
A. Give the medication since the pharmacy profile is accurate
B. Recheck the medication label against the MAR and call the pharmacist before giving
C. Tell the patient the provider must have changed the dose and administer it
D. Hold the medication and ask the RN to verify the order only if the patient refuses
again
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Following the "right medication" and "right patient" rights, any discrepancy in
appearance must be resolved by re-checking the label and consulting pharmacy;
different generic shapes/colors are common but must be verified. Giving without
checking (A) violates safety. Assuming dose change (C) is outside PN scope. Holding
and waiting for patient refusal (D) delays resolution and is passive.
Q2: A medication order reads: "Digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. Hold if apical pulse <60 bpm."
The LPN finds the apical pulse 54 bpm. What should the LPN do next?
A. Administer half the dose as ordered
B. Give the dose and recheck pulse in 30 min
C. Hold the dose and document the pulse; notify the charge nurse
D. Ask another LPN to listen and average the rates
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The order explicitly sets a withholding parameter; the PN holds, documents,
and notifies the RN/provider (follow facility policy). Administering (A, B) disregards the
hold parameter. Averaging (D) is unnecessary when parameter is clear.
Q3: Which route is affected first by the first-pass effect?
A. Subcutaneous
B. Intravenous
C. Oral
D. Sublingual
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Oral drugs absorbed in the GI tract travel to the liver via portal vein, where a
portion is metabolized before systemic circulation. IV (B) bypasses first-pass;
sublingual (D) partly avoids it; subcutaneous (A) is absorbed slowly into venous blood.
Q4: An LPN is asked to give an IM injection but the dosage ordered (4 mL) exceeds the
recommended volume for the site. Which action upholds medication safety?
A. Split the dose into two syringes and give in the same muscle
B. Give the injection slowly to allow tissue expansion
C. Contact the provider to request dividing the dose between two different sites
D. Change the route to IV push to deliver the full amount
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Usual adult IM volume per site is 2–3 mL (deltus) or 3–5 mL (ventrogluteus).
Excessive volume risks pain/absorption issues; provider must clarify/order split sites.
Giving in same muscle (A) or slowly (B) still exceeds safe volume. Changing route (D) is
prescribing and outside PN scope.
Q5: The LPN is transcribing a new telephone order for "Lisinopril 10 mg PO now." Which
notation is required to meet legal standards?
A. "TO" followed by provider signature within 24 h
, B. "VO" and the LPN initials only
C. Date/time, full order, read-back, provider name, "VO," LPN signature
D. "Now order" stamped and signed by charge nurse
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Telephone/verbal orders require date/time, full order, read-back verification,
provider name, "VO," and nurse signature; provider must countersign within agency
policy (often 24–48 h). Option A omits read-back details; B is incomplete; D is not
standard.
Q6: A patient refuses a scheduled PO antibiotic. The LPN should:
A. Document the refusal and inform the RN; follow agency policy for notification
B. Hide the capsule in applesauce
C. Tell the patient he will be discharged sooner if he cooperates
D. Chart "patient non-compliant" and leave the medication at bedside
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Patient has right to refuse; PN documents, notifies RN, and follows up per
policy. Covert administration (B) is unethical/coercion. Threatening (C) is coercive.
Leaving med at bedside (D) is unsafe.
Q7: The LPN notes a medication error was made yesterday evening shift. The
appropriate action is to:
A. Complete an incident report before the end of the shift
B. Inform the oncoming LPN to watch for adverse effects
C. Document the error only in the nurse's notes
D. Tell the patient but ask him not to mention it
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Agency policy requires timely incident/variance report for quality review; does
not imply blame. Notification of provider/RN is also required (not listed). Incident report
Exam 2026/2027 | Questions with Verified
Answers | 100% Correct | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Pharmacokinetics, Principles, & Safety
Q1: The LPN is preparing to give a PO medication. The patient states, "That pill looks
different from what I usually take." Which action is correct?
A. Give the medication since the pharmacy profile is accurate
B. Recheck the medication label against the MAR and call the pharmacist before giving
C. Tell the patient the provider must have changed the dose and administer it
D. Hold the medication and ask the RN to verify the order only if the patient refuses
again
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Following the "right medication" and "right patient" rights, any discrepancy in
appearance must be resolved by re-checking the label and consulting pharmacy;
different generic shapes/colors are common but must be verified. Giving without
checking (A) violates safety. Assuming dose change (C) is outside PN scope. Holding
and waiting for patient refusal (D) delays resolution and is passive.
Q2: A medication order reads: "Digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. Hold if apical pulse <60 bpm."
The LPN finds the apical pulse 54 bpm. What should the LPN do next?
A. Administer half the dose as ordered
B. Give the dose and recheck pulse in 30 min
C. Hold the dose and document the pulse; notify the charge nurse
D. Ask another LPN to listen and average the rates
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The order explicitly sets a withholding parameter; the PN holds, documents,
and notifies the RN/provider (follow facility policy). Administering (A, B) disregards the
hold parameter. Averaging (D) is unnecessary when parameter is clear.
Q3: Which route is affected first by the first-pass effect?
A. Subcutaneous
B. Intravenous
C. Oral
D. Sublingual
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Oral drugs absorbed in the GI tract travel to the liver via portal vein, where a
portion is metabolized before systemic circulation. IV (B) bypasses first-pass;
sublingual (D) partly avoids it; subcutaneous (A) is absorbed slowly into venous blood.
Q4: An LPN is asked to give an IM injection but the dosage ordered (4 mL) exceeds the
recommended volume for the site. Which action upholds medication safety?
A. Split the dose into two syringes and give in the same muscle
B. Give the injection slowly to allow tissue expansion
C. Contact the provider to request dividing the dose between two different sites
D. Change the route to IV push to deliver the full amount
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Usual adult IM volume per site is 2–3 mL (deltus) or 3–5 mL (ventrogluteus).
Excessive volume risks pain/absorption issues; provider must clarify/order split sites.
Giving in same muscle (A) or slowly (B) still exceeds safe volume. Changing route (D) is
prescribing and outside PN scope.
Q5: The LPN is transcribing a new telephone order for "Lisinopril 10 mg PO now." Which
notation is required to meet legal standards?
A. "TO" followed by provider signature within 24 h
, B. "VO" and the LPN initials only
C. Date/time, full order, read-back, provider name, "VO," LPN signature
D. "Now order" stamped and signed by charge nurse
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Telephone/verbal orders require date/time, full order, read-back verification,
provider name, "VO," and nurse signature; provider must countersign within agency
policy (often 24–48 h). Option A omits read-back details; B is incomplete; D is not
standard.
Q6: A patient refuses a scheduled PO antibiotic. The LPN should:
A. Document the refusal and inform the RN; follow agency policy for notification
B. Hide the capsule in applesauce
C. Tell the patient he will be discharged sooner if he cooperates
D. Chart "patient non-compliant" and leave the medication at bedside
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Patient has right to refuse; PN documents, notifies RN, and follows up per
policy. Covert administration (B) is unethical/coercion. Threatening (C) is coercive.
Leaving med at bedside (D) is unsafe.
Q7: The LPN notes a medication error was made yesterday evening shift. The
appropriate action is to:
A. Complete an incident report before the end of the shift
B. Inform the oncoming LPN to watch for adverse effects
C. Document the error only in the nurse's notes
D. Tell the patient but ask him not to mention it
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Agency policy requires timely incident/variance report for quality review; does
not imply blame. Notification of provider/RN is also required (not listed). Incident report
