ATI RN PHARMACOLOGY 2023-STYLE
PRACTICE EXAMINATION: NGN-INTEGRATED
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM STUDY
GUIDE
SECTION 1: MEDICATION SAFETY AND ADMINISTRATION
1. Which action best prevents medication administration errors?
[ ] A. Ask the patient to state the room number
[✓] B. Verify the patient using two identifiers
[ ] C. Compare the wristband after the medication is given
[ ] D. Use memory if the patient is familiar
Rationale: Two identifiers, such as name and date of birth, significantly reduce the risk of
giving medication to the wrong patient.
2. Which order should the nurse question?
[ ] A. Potassium chloride 20 mEq IV piggyback over 2 hours
[ ] B. Furosemide 40 mg PO daily
[✓] C. Potassium chloride 20 mEq IV push
, [ ] D. Sodium bicarbonate IV as prescribed
Rationale: Potassium chloride must never be given IV push because it can cause fatal
cardiac dysrhythmias.
3. Morphine 2 mg is prescribed. The vial contains 4 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer?
[ ] A. 0.25 mL
[✓] B. 0.5 mL
[ ] C. 1 mL
[ ] D. 2 mL
Rationale: Dose divided by concentration equals 2 ÷ 4 = 0.5 mL.
4. Which instruction is correct for an extended-release medication?
[ ] A. Open and sprinkle if the patient has difficulty swallowing
[ ] B. Crush and mix with applesauce
[✓] C. Do not crush or chew
[ ] D. Dissolve in water
Rationale: Crushing extended-release products can cause dose dumping and toxicity.
5. Before applying a new transdermal nitroglycerin patch, the nurse should:
[ ] A. Apply it over the previous site
[✓] B. Remove the old patch
[ ] C. Wash the site with alcohol only
[ ] D. Cover it with plastic wrap
Rationale: Removing the old patch prevents medication overdose and skin irritation.
6. When preparing regular and NPH insulin in the same syringe, the nurse should:
, [✓] A. Draw up regular insulin before NPH insulin
[ ] B. Draw up NPH insulin before regular insulin
[ ] C. Mix glargine with regular insulin
[ ] D. Shake NPH vigorously before withdrawing
Rationale: Clear insulin is drawn up before cloudy insulin to prevent contamination of the
regular insulin.
7. A patient develops rash and wheezing after receiving amoxicillin. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
[ ] A. Document and continue the medication
[✓] B. Stop the medication and notify the provider
[ ] C. Give the next dose with food
[ ] D. Reassure the patient this is expected
Rationale: Rash and wheezing may indicate a hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis.
8. Which item must be included during medication reconciliation?
[ ] A. Only prescribed medicines
[✓] B. Over-the-counter and herbal supplements
[ ] C. Only old prescriptions
[ ] D. Family member’s medications
Rationale: Nonprescription and herbal products can interact with prescribed medications
and must be reviewed.
9. Which route provides the fastest onset for an emergency medication?
[ ] A. Oral
[ ] B. Sublingual
[✓] C. Intravenous
PRACTICE EXAMINATION: NGN-INTEGRATED
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM STUDY
GUIDE
SECTION 1: MEDICATION SAFETY AND ADMINISTRATION
1. Which action best prevents medication administration errors?
[ ] A. Ask the patient to state the room number
[✓] B. Verify the patient using two identifiers
[ ] C. Compare the wristband after the medication is given
[ ] D. Use memory if the patient is familiar
Rationale: Two identifiers, such as name and date of birth, significantly reduce the risk of
giving medication to the wrong patient.
2. Which order should the nurse question?
[ ] A. Potassium chloride 20 mEq IV piggyback over 2 hours
[ ] B. Furosemide 40 mg PO daily
[✓] C. Potassium chloride 20 mEq IV push
, [ ] D. Sodium bicarbonate IV as prescribed
Rationale: Potassium chloride must never be given IV push because it can cause fatal
cardiac dysrhythmias.
3. Morphine 2 mg is prescribed. The vial contains 4 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer?
[ ] A. 0.25 mL
[✓] B. 0.5 mL
[ ] C. 1 mL
[ ] D. 2 mL
Rationale: Dose divided by concentration equals 2 ÷ 4 = 0.5 mL.
4. Which instruction is correct for an extended-release medication?
[ ] A. Open and sprinkle if the patient has difficulty swallowing
[ ] B. Crush and mix with applesauce
[✓] C. Do not crush or chew
[ ] D. Dissolve in water
Rationale: Crushing extended-release products can cause dose dumping and toxicity.
5. Before applying a new transdermal nitroglycerin patch, the nurse should:
[ ] A. Apply it over the previous site
[✓] B. Remove the old patch
[ ] C. Wash the site with alcohol only
[ ] D. Cover it with plastic wrap
Rationale: Removing the old patch prevents medication overdose and skin irritation.
6. When preparing regular and NPH insulin in the same syringe, the nurse should:
, [✓] A. Draw up regular insulin before NPH insulin
[ ] B. Draw up NPH insulin before regular insulin
[ ] C. Mix glargine with regular insulin
[ ] D. Shake NPH vigorously before withdrawing
Rationale: Clear insulin is drawn up before cloudy insulin to prevent contamination of the
regular insulin.
7. A patient develops rash and wheezing after receiving amoxicillin. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
[ ] A. Document and continue the medication
[✓] B. Stop the medication and notify the provider
[ ] C. Give the next dose with food
[ ] D. Reassure the patient this is expected
Rationale: Rash and wheezing may indicate a hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis.
8. Which item must be included during medication reconciliation?
[ ] A. Only prescribed medicines
[✓] B. Over-the-counter and herbal supplements
[ ] C. Only old prescriptions
[ ] D. Family member’s medications
Rationale: Nonprescription and herbal products can interact with prescribed medications
and must be reviewed.
9. Which route provides the fastest onset for an emergency medication?
[ ] A. Oral
[ ] B. Sublingual
[✓] C. Intravenous
