ATI CMS Pharmacology Proctored Exam
Actual Questions with Verified Answers |
Accuracy | Nursing Pharmacology
Certification | Graded A+
ATI-Style Pharmacology Practice Questions (1–10)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client receiving intravenous gentamicin. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Tinnitus and difficulty hearing
B. Mild nausea after infusion
C. Temperature of 37.3°C (99.1°F)
D. Heart rate of 82/min
Correct Answer: A. Tinnitus and difficulty hearing
Rationale
Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside associated with ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity.
● A. Correct: Hearing changes may indicate permanent ototoxicity and should be reported
immediately.
● B. Incorrect: Mild nausea is a common adverse effect.
● C. Incorrect: This temperature is normal.
● D. Incorrect: This heart rate is within the normal range.
,Question 2
A client taking digoxin reports nausea and blurred vision with yellow halos around lights. What is
the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the scheduled dose.
B. Check the client's apical pulse and notify the provider.
C. Encourage increased fluid intake.
D. Give an antacid.
Correct Answer: B. Check the client's apical pulse and notify the provider.
Rationale
● B. Correct: These findings suggest digoxin toxicity. Assess the pulse and hold the
medication if indicated before notifying the provider.
● A. Incorrect: Giving another dose may worsen toxicity.
● C. Incorrect: Fluids do not treat digoxin toxicity.
● D. Incorrect: An antacid does not address the cause.
Question 3
A nurse teaches a client taking warfarin. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will stop taking warfarin if I notice bruising."
B. "I should maintain a consistent intake of foods containing vitamin K."
C. "I should avoid all vegetables."
D. "I can take aspirin for headaches."
Correct Answer: B. Maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K.
Rationale
● B. Correct: Consistent vitamin K intake helps maintain stable anticoagulation.
● A. Incorrect: The provider should be contacted before stopping the medication.
, ● C. Incorrect: Vegetables should not be completely avoided.
● D. Incorrect: Aspirin increases bleeding risk unless prescribed.
Question 4
A client taking furosemide is most at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale
Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion.
● B. Correct: Hypokalemia is a common adverse effect.
● A, C, D: These are not the expected electrolyte disturbances.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro. When should it be administered?
A. 1 hour before meals
B. Immediately before meals
C. At bedtime
D. 2 hours after meals
Correct Answer: B. Immediately before meals
Rationale
Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin.
, ● B. Correct: It begins working within about 15 minutes, so the client should be ready to
eat.
● A, C, D: These times increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Question 6
Which adverse effect is most commonly associated with morphine?
A. Hypertension
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Tachycardia
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory depression
Rationale
● B. Correct: Respiratory depression is the most serious opioid adverse effect.
● A, C, D: These are not expected primary effects.
Question 7
A client taking metformin is scheduled for a CT scan with iodinated contrast. What should the
nurse anticipate?
A. Continue metformin without interruption.
B. Hold metformin before and after the procedure as prescribed.
C. Double the dose after the scan.
D. Administer insulin instead of contrast.
Correct Answer: B. Hold metformin before and after the procedure as prescribed.
Rationale
Contrast media can increase the risk of lactic acidosis in susceptible patients.
Actual Questions with Verified Answers |
Accuracy | Nursing Pharmacology
Certification | Graded A+
ATI-Style Pharmacology Practice Questions (1–10)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client receiving intravenous gentamicin. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Tinnitus and difficulty hearing
B. Mild nausea after infusion
C. Temperature of 37.3°C (99.1°F)
D. Heart rate of 82/min
Correct Answer: A. Tinnitus and difficulty hearing
Rationale
Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside associated with ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity.
● A. Correct: Hearing changes may indicate permanent ototoxicity and should be reported
immediately.
● B. Incorrect: Mild nausea is a common adverse effect.
● C. Incorrect: This temperature is normal.
● D. Incorrect: This heart rate is within the normal range.
,Question 2
A client taking digoxin reports nausea and blurred vision with yellow halos around lights. What is
the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the scheduled dose.
B. Check the client's apical pulse and notify the provider.
C. Encourage increased fluid intake.
D. Give an antacid.
Correct Answer: B. Check the client's apical pulse and notify the provider.
Rationale
● B. Correct: These findings suggest digoxin toxicity. Assess the pulse and hold the
medication if indicated before notifying the provider.
● A. Incorrect: Giving another dose may worsen toxicity.
● C. Incorrect: Fluids do not treat digoxin toxicity.
● D. Incorrect: An antacid does not address the cause.
Question 3
A nurse teaches a client taking warfarin. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will stop taking warfarin if I notice bruising."
B. "I should maintain a consistent intake of foods containing vitamin K."
C. "I should avoid all vegetables."
D. "I can take aspirin for headaches."
Correct Answer: B. Maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K.
Rationale
● B. Correct: Consistent vitamin K intake helps maintain stable anticoagulation.
● A. Incorrect: The provider should be contacted before stopping the medication.
, ● C. Incorrect: Vegetables should not be completely avoided.
● D. Incorrect: Aspirin increases bleeding risk unless prescribed.
Question 4
A client taking furosemide is most at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale
Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion.
● B. Correct: Hypokalemia is a common adverse effect.
● A, C, D: These are not the expected electrolyte disturbances.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro. When should it be administered?
A. 1 hour before meals
B. Immediately before meals
C. At bedtime
D. 2 hours after meals
Correct Answer: B. Immediately before meals
Rationale
Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin.
, ● B. Correct: It begins working within about 15 minutes, so the client should be ready to
eat.
● A, C, D: These times increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Question 6
Which adverse effect is most commonly associated with morphine?
A. Hypertension
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Tachycardia
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory depression
Rationale
● B. Correct: Respiratory depression is the most serious opioid adverse effect.
● A, C, D: These are not expected primary effects.
Question 7
A client taking metformin is scheduled for a CT scan with iodinated contrast. What should the
nurse anticipate?
A. Continue metformin without interruption.
B. Hold metformin before and after the procedure as prescribed.
C. Double the dose after the scan.
D. Administer insulin instead of contrast.
Correct Answer: B. Hold metformin before and after the procedure as prescribed.
Rationale
Contrast media can increase the risk of lactic acidosis in susceptible patients.
