ATI Capstone Pharmacology assessment 1 EXAM LATEST
VERSION 2026-2027 EXAM WITH ACTUAL 60 QUESTION AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES.
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who received their
scheduled medications approximately one hour ago. The client now reports
the onset of chest pain. The nurse should recognize that this adverse effect is
most commonly associated with which of the following medications?
A) Metoprolol
B) Albuterol
C) Omeprazole
D) Acetaminophen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Albuterol is a beta2-adrenergic agonist commonly used to control
bronchospasm in clients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. Activation of beta2 receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle results
in bronchodilation; however, albuterol also has some beta1-adrenergic
activity, which can stimulate cardiac receptors and lead to adverse
cardiovascular effects including chest pain, tachycardia, palpitations, and
cardiac dysrhythmias. These effects occur because beta1 receptors are
located in cardiac tissue, and stimulation increases heart rate and myocardial
contractility. Option A is incorrect because metoprolol is a beta-blocker that
would typically decrease heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand, not
cause chest pain. Option C is incorrect because omeprazole is a proton pump
inhibitor used for acid suppression and is not associated with chest pain.
Option D is incorrect because acetaminophen is an analgesic and antipyretic
that does not typically cause chest pain.
,DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis)
TOP: Adverse Medication Effects
MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
brimonidine ophthalmic solution to treat open-angle glaucoma. Which of
the following client statements indicates an understanding of the medication
instructions?
A) "I can expect to feel some stinging or burning when I put these drops in
my eyes."
B) "I should store this medication in the refrigerator at all times."
C) "I will not need to have my eye pressure checked after starting this
medication."
D) "I can use this medication whenever I experience eye pain."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Brimonidine is a topical alpha2-adrenergic agonist that reduces intraocular
pressure by decreasing aqueous humor production and increasing
uveoscleral outflow. Local adverse effects are common and include ocular
irritation, stinging, burning, blurred vision, and foreign body sensation.
Clients should be informed that mild stinging or burning upon instillation is
an expected and temporary sensation that does not indicate a problem.
Option B is incorrect because brimonidine should typically be stored at room
temperature and protected from light; refrigeration is not generally required.
Option C is incorrect because intraocular pressure monitoring is essential to
evaluate the effectiveness of therapy; discontinuation of monitoring could
lead to inadequate pressure control. Option D is incorrect because
brimonidine is used for chronic management of glaucoma, not as a PRN
medication for acute eye pain, which could indicate a serious condition
requiring immediate evaluation.
,DIF: Cognitive Level: Evaluate (Evaluation)
TOP: Ophthalmic Medication Administration
MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
A nurse is caring for a female client who has osteoporosis and a new
prescription for raloxifene. Which of the following assessments should the
nurse perform prior to initiating therapy?
A) Baseline serum calcium level
B) Pregnancy status
C) Bone mineral density scan
D) Renal function studies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used for the
prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Raloxifene is classified as a Pregnancy Category X medication, meaning it is
contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant due to the
potential for fetal harm. Before initiating therapy, the nurse must assess
pregnancy status to rule out pregnancy and prevent serious fetal harm.
Option A is incorrect while calcium monitoring is important in osteoporosis
management, it is not the priority assessment specifically required before
initiating raloxifene. Option C is incorrect while bone density testing is used
for diagnosis and monitoring, it is not a prerequisite for medication
initiation. Option D is incorrect because raloxifene does not require specific
renal function assessment prior to initiation, though routine monitoring may
be appropriate in clients with renal impairment.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
TOP: Medication Safety and Contraindications
MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
, A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has been prescribed
transdermal nitroglycerin patches for the management of angina pectoris.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A) Apply a new patch every morning and remove it at bedtime
B) Apply a new patch immediately after each episode of chest pain
C) Apply a new patch every other day to maintain effectiveness
D) Apply the patch to the same site daily to ensure consistent absorption
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Transdermal nitroglycerin patches are used for the prophylaxis of angina
pectoris and should be applied once daily, typically in the morning, and
removed at bedtime to provide a medication-free interval. This intermittent
dosing schedule prevents the development of tolerance to nitroglycerin's
vasodilating effects. The medication effects begin within 30 to 60 minutes
after application and last approximately 14 hours. Option B is incorrect
because transdermal nitroglycerin is not used for acute relief of angina;
sublingual nitroglycerin is indicated for acute episodes. Option C is incorrect
because the patch should be applied daily, not every other day, to maintain
therapeutic blood levels. Option D is incorrect because the application site
should be rotated to prevent skin irritation; the same site should not be used
daily.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Transdermal Medication Administration
MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
allopurinol to treat gout. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include in the teaching?
VERSION 2026-2027 EXAM WITH ACTUAL 60 QUESTION AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES.
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who received their
scheduled medications approximately one hour ago. The client now reports
the onset of chest pain. The nurse should recognize that this adverse effect is
most commonly associated with which of the following medications?
A) Metoprolol
B) Albuterol
C) Omeprazole
D) Acetaminophen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Albuterol is a beta2-adrenergic agonist commonly used to control
bronchospasm in clients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. Activation of beta2 receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle results
in bronchodilation; however, albuterol also has some beta1-adrenergic
activity, which can stimulate cardiac receptors and lead to adverse
cardiovascular effects including chest pain, tachycardia, palpitations, and
cardiac dysrhythmias. These effects occur because beta1 receptors are
located in cardiac tissue, and stimulation increases heart rate and myocardial
contractility. Option A is incorrect because metoprolol is a beta-blocker that
would typically decrease heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand, not
cause chest pain. Option C is incorrect because omeprazole is a proton pump
inhibitor used for acid suppression and is not associated with chest pain.
Option D is incorrect because acetaminophen is an analgesic and antipyretic
that does not typically cause chest pain.
,DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (Analysis)
TOP: Adverse Medication Effects
MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
brimonidine ophthalmic solution to treat open-angle glaucoma. Which of
the following client statements indicates an understanding of the medication
instructions?
A) "I can expect to feel some stinging or burning when I put these drops in
my eyes."
B) "I should store this medication in the refrigerator at all times."
C) "I will not need to have my eye pressure checked after starting this
medication."
D) "I can use this medication whenever I experience eye pain."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Brimonidine is a topical alpha2-adrenergic agonist that reduces intraocular
pressure by decreasing aqueous humor production and increasing
uveoscleral outflow. Local adverse effects are common and include ocular
irritation, stinging, burning, blurred vision, and foreign body sensation.
Clients should be informed that mild stinging or burning upon instillation is
an expected and temporary sensation that does not indicate a problem.
Option B is incorrect because brimonidine should typically be stored at room
temperature and protected from light; refrigeration is not generally required.
Option C is incorrect because intraocular pressure monitoring is essential to
evaluate the effectiveness of therapy; discontinuation of monitoring could
lead to inadequate pressure control. Option D is incorrect because
brimonidine is used for chronic management of glaucoma, not as a PRN
medication for acute eye pain, which could indicate a serious condition
requiring immediate evaluation.
,DIF: Cognitive Level: Evaluate (Evaluation)
TOP: Ophthalmic Medication Administration
MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
A nurse is caring for a female client who has osteoporosis and a new
prescription for raloxifene. Which of the following assessments should the
nurse perform prior to initiating therapy?
A) Baseline serum calcium level
B) Pregnancy status
C) Bone mineral density scan
D) Renal function studies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used for the
prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Raloxifene is classified as a Pregnancy Category X medication, meaning it is
contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant due to the
potential for fetal harm. Before initiating therapy, the nurse must assess
pregnancy status to rule out pregnancy and prevent serious fetal harm.
Option A is incorrect while calcium monitoring is important in osteoporosis
management, it is not the priority assessment specifically required before
initiating raloxifene. Option C is incorrect while bone density testing is used
for diagnosis and monitoring, it is not a prerequisite for medication
initiation. Option D is incorrect because raloxifene does not require specific
renal function assessment prior to initiation, though routine monitoring may
be appropriate in clients with renal impairment.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
TOP: Medication Safety and Contraindications
MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
, A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has been prescribed
transdermal nitroglycerin patches for the management of angina pectoris.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A) Apply a new patch every morning and remove it at bedtime
B) Apply a new patch immediately after each episode of chest pain
C) Apply a new patch every other day to maintain effectiveness
D) Apply the patch to the same site daily to ensure consistent absorption
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Transdermal nitroglycerin patches are used for the prophylaxis of angina
pectoris and should be applied once daily, typically in the morning, and
removed at bedtime to provide a medication-free interval. This intermittent
dosing schedule prevents the development of tolerance to nitroglycerin's
vasodilating effects. The medication effects begin within 30 to 60 minutes
after application and last approximately 14 hours. Option B is incorrect
because transdermal nitroglycerin is not used for acute relief of angina;
sublingual nitroglycerin is indicated for acute episodes. Option C is incorrect
because the patch should be applied daily, not every other day, to maintain
therapeutic blood levels. Option D is incorrect because the application site
should be rotated to prevent skin irritation; the same site should not be used
daily.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Transdermal Medication Administration
MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
allopurinol to treat gout. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include in the teaching?
