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ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM
2026/2027 | VERSION 3 | 75 VERIFIED Q&A |
DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-ALIGNED | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
Q1: Medication Administration – Enteral Tube Flush Volume
A PN is administering medications through a nasogastric tube. How much water should be used to
flush the tube before and after each medication?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 20 mL
D. 30 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Flush with at least 15–30 mL of water before and after each medication, and between
medications, to prevent clogging and ensure delivery. 20 mL is appropriate. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Medication Administration – Otic Drops Position After
A PN is instilling otic drops in an adult. After instillation, the client should remain in which position?
A. Supine
B. Side-lying with the affected ear up
C. Side-lying with the affected ear down
D. Prone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After instilling ear drops, have the client remain side-lying with the affected ear up for 5–
10 minutes to allow the medication to reach the inner ear. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Medication Administration – Ophthalmic Ointment Application
A PN is applying ophthalmic ointment. The PN should apply:
A. A thin ribbon from inner to outer canthus
B. A thick ribbon from outer to inner canthus
C. Directly onto the cornea
D. With a cotton-tipped applicator
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Apply a thin ribbon of ointment from inner to outer canthus, avoiding the cornea. Use a
separate tube for each eye if infection is present. [100% CORRECT]
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Q4: Medication Administration – Rectal Suppository Insertion Depth
A PN is inserting a rectal suppository. The PN should insert the suppository:
A. Just past the internal sphincter
B. 1 inch into the rectum
C. 2 inches into the rectum
D. 4 inches into the rectum
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Insert the suppository past the internal sphincter (about 1–1.5 inches for adults) to
prevent expulsion. Lubricate with water-soluble lubricant. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Medication Administration – Intradermal Injection Site
A PN is administering an intradermal injection. Which site is preferred?
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Inner forearm
D. Ventrogluteal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Intradermal injections (e.g., TB skin test) are given into the inner forearm. A small wheal
should form. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Medication Administration – Subcutaneous Injection Sites
Which site is preferred for subcutaneous insulin injection?
A. Deltoid
B. Abdomen
C. Ventrogluteal
D. Dorsogluteal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The abdomen is the preferred site for insulin injection due to consistent absorption.
Rotate sites within the abdomen. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Medication Administration – Z-Track Technique Action
A PN is using the Z-track technique for an IM injection. Which action is correct?
A. Pull the skin laterally before injecting
B. Pinch the skin before injecting
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C. Massage the site after injecting
D. Aspirate before injecting
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Z-track: pull the skin laterally, inject, withdraw, then release the skin. This prevents
medication from leaking into subcutaneous tissue. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Medication Administration – Mixing Insulins Order
A PN is mixing Regular and NPH insulin. Which action is correct?
A. Draw up NPH first, then Regular
B. Draw up Regular first, then NPH
C. Shake both vials vigorously
D. Use the same syringe for multiple clients
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Draw up Regular (clear) insulin first to prevent contamination of the Regular vial with
NPH (cloudy). Then draw up NPH. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Medication Administration – Insulin Storage Unopened
A client asks about storing insulin. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will store unopened insulin in the freezer."
B. "I will keep my current insulin pen at room temperature for up to 28 days."
C. "I will leave insulin in direct sunlight."
D. "I will shake the insulin vigorously before use."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Unopened insulin: refrigerate. Opened insulin: room temperature for up to 28 days. Do
not freeze. Do not shake vigorously; roll gently. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Dosage Calculation – Oral Liquid
Order: 125 mg. Available: 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL?
A. 2.5 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 7.5 mL
D. 10 mL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: (125 ÷ 250) × 5 = 0.5 × 5 = 2.5 mL. [100% CORRECT]
Q11: Dosage Calculation – IV Rate
ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM
2026/2027 | VERSION 3 | 75 VERIFIED Q&A |
DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-ALIGNED | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
Q1: Medication Administration – Enteral Tube Flush Volume
A PN is administering medications through a nasogastric tube. How much water should be used to
flush the tube before and after each medication?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 20 mL
D. 30 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Flush with at least 15–30 mL of water before and after each medication, and between
medications, to prevent clogging and ensure delivery. 20 mL is appropriate. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Medication Administration – Otic Drops Position After
A PN is instilling otic drops in an adult. After instillation, the client should remain in which position?
A. Supine
B. Side-lying with the affected ear up
C. Side-lying with the affected ear down
D. Prone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After instilling ear drops, have the client remain side-lying with the affected ear up for 5–
10 minutes to allow the medication to reach the inner ear. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Medication Administration – Ophthalmic Ointment Application
A PN is applying ophthalmic ointment. The PN should apply:
A. A thin ribbon from inner to outer canthus
B. A thick ribbon from outer to inner canthus
C. Directly onto the cornea
D. With a cotton-tipped applicator
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Apply a thin ribbon of ointment from inner to outer canthus, avoiding the cornea. Use a
separate tube for each eye if infection is present. [100% CORRECT]
,2
Q4: Medication Administration – Rectal Suppository Insertion Depth
A PN is inserting a rectal suppository. The PN should insert the suppository:
A. Just past the internal sphincter
B. 1 inch into the rectum
C. 2 inches into the rectum
D. 4 inches into the rectum
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Insert the suppository past the internal sphincter (about 1–1.5 inches for adults) to
prevent expulsion. Lubricate with water-soluble lubricant. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Medication Administration – Intradermal Injection Site
A PN is administering an intradermal injection. Which site is preferred?
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Inner forearm
D. Ventrogluteal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Intradermal injections (e.g., TB skin test) are given into the inner forearm. A small wheal
should form. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Medication Administration – Subcutaneous Injection Sites
Which site is preferred for subcutaneous insulin injection?
A. Deltoid
B. Abdomen
C. Ventrogluteal
D. Dorsogluteal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The abdomen is the preferred site for insulin injection due to consistent absorption.
Rotate sites within the abdomen. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Medication Administration – Z-Track Technique Action
A PN is using the Z-track technique for an IM injection. Which action is correct?
A. Pull the skin laterally before injecting
B. Pinch the skin before injecting
, 3
C. Massage the site after injecting
D. Aspirate before injecting
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Z-track: pull the skin laterally, inject, withdraw, then release the skin. This prevents
medication from leaking into subcutaneous tissue. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Medication Administration – Mixing Insulins Order
A PN is mixing Regular and NPH insulin. Which action is correct?
A. Draw up NPH first, then Regular
B. Draw up Regular first, then NPH
C. Shake both vials vigorously
D. Use the same syringe for multiple clients
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Draw up Regular (clear) insulin first to prevent contamination of the Regular vial with
NPH (cloudy). Then draw up NPH. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Medication Administration – Insulin Storage Unopened
A client asks about storing insulin. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will store unopened insulin in the freezer."
B. "I will keep my current insulin pen at room temperature for up to 28 days."
C. "I will leave insulin in direct sunlight."
D. "I will shake the insulin vigorously before use."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Unopened insulin: refrigerate. Opened insulin: room temperature for up to 28 days. Do
not freeze. Do not shake vigorously; roll gently. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Dosage Calculation – Oral Liquid
Order: 125 mg. Available: 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL?
A. 2.5 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 7.5 mL
D. 10 mL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: (125 ÷ 250) × 5 = 0.5 × 5 = 2.5 mL. [100% CORRECT]
Q11: Dosage Calculation – IV Rate
