RN ATI PHARMACOLOGY 2025 EXAM REVIEW WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Question 1 of 70
A nurse is preparing to administer eye drops to a client. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
☐ Have the client lie on her side
☐ Ask the client to look up at the ceiling
☐ ☐ Tell the client to blink when the drops enter her eye
☑ Drop the medication into the center of the client's conjunctival sac
☑ Instruct the client to close her eye gently after instillation
Explanation:
Eye drops should be placed in the conjunctival sac to ensure proper absorption and avoid corneal
damage. The client should close the eye gently to distribute the medication and prevent systemic
absorption. Blinking when drops enter the eye should be avoided as it can cause the medication to spill
out.
,Question 2 of 70
A staff educator is reviewing medication dosages and factors that influence medication metabolism
with a group of nurses at an in-service presentation. Which of the following factors should the
educator include as a reason to administer lower medication dosages? (Select all that apply.)
☐ Increased renal secretion
☐ B. Increased medication-metabolizing enzymes
☑ Liver failure
☐ Peripheral vascular disease
☑ Concurrent use of medication the same pathway metabolizes
Explanation:
Liver failure reduces the body's ability to metabolize medications, necessitating lower dosages.
Concurrent use of medications metabolized by the same pathway can cause drug interactions,
increasing medication levels and requiring dosage adjustments. Increased renal secretion and
medication-metabolizing enzymes typically increase clearance and may require higher dosages.
,Question 3 of 70
A nurse is completing discharge teaching for a client who has a new prescription for transdermal
patches. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client
understands the instructions?
☐ I will clean the site with an alcohol swab before I apply the patch.
☐ I will rotate the application sites weekly
☑ I will apply the patch to an area of skin with no hair.
☐ I will place the new patch on the site of the old patch
Explanation:
Patches should be applied to hairless skin to ensure proper adhesion and absorption. Rotating sites is
recommended but more frequently than weekly (usually weekly). Cleaning with alcohol is generally not
advised as it may irritate the skin.
,Question 4 of 70
A nurse reviewing a client’s medical record notes a new prescription for verifying the trough level of
the client’s medication. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
☑ Obtain a blood specimen immediately prior to administering the next dose of medication
☐ Verify that the client has been taking the medication for 24 hr before obtaining a blood specimen.
☐ Ask the client to provide a urine specimen after the next dose of medication.
☐ Administer the medication, and obtain a blood specimen 30 min late.
Explanation:
The trough level is the lowest concentration of the drug in the bloodstream and is measured
immediately before the next dose to avoid toxicity or subtherapeutic levels.
, Question 5 of 70
A nurse is preparing a client’s medications. Which of the following actions should the nurse take in
following legal practice guidelines? (Select all that apply.)
☑ Maintain skill competency.
☑ Determine the dosage.
☑ Monitor for adverse effects
☑ Safeguard medications.
☐ Identify the client’s diagnosis
Explanation:
Nurses are responsible for maintaining competency, calculating and verifying dosages, monitoring for
adverse reactions, and safeguarding medications to ensure safe administration. Identifying the diagnosis
is typically the provider's responsibility, not the nurse's legal duty.
Question 1 of 70
A nurse is preparing to administer eye drops to a client. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
☐ Have the client lie on her side
☐ Ask the client to look up at the ceiling
☐ ☐ Tell the client to blink when the drops enter her eye
☑ Drop the medication into the center of the client's conjunctival sac
☑ Instruct the client to close her eye gently after instillation
Explanation:
Eye drops should be placed in the conjunctival sac to ensure proper absorption and avoid corneal
damage. The client should close the eye gently to distribute the medication and prevent systemic
absorption. Blinking when drops enter the eye should be avoided as it can cause the medication to spill
out.
,Question 2 of 70
A staff educator is reviewing medication dosages and factors that influence medication metabolism
with a group of nurses at an in-service presentation. Which of the following factors should the
educator include as a reason to administer lower medication dosages? (Select all that apply.)
☐ Increased renal secretion
☐ B. Increased medication-metabolizing enzymes
☑ Liver failure
☐ Peripheral vascular disease
☑ Concurrent use of medication the same pathway metabolizes
Explanation:
Liver failure reduces the body's ability to metabolize medications, necessitating lower dosages.
Concurrent use of medications metabolized by the same pathway can cause drug interactions,
increasing medication levels and requiring dosage adjustments. Increased renal secretion and
medication-metabolizing enzymes typically increase clearance and may require higher dosages.
,Question 3 of 70
A nurse is completing discharge teaching for a client who has a new prescription for transdermal
patches. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client
understands the instructions?
☐ I will clean the site with an alcohol swab before I apply the patch.
☐ I will rotate the application sites weekly
☑ I will apply the patch to an area of skin with no hair.
☐ I will place the new patch on the site of the old patch
Explanation:
Patches should be applied to hairless skin to ensure proper adhesion and absorption. Rotating sites is
recommended but more frequently than weekly (usually weekly). Cleaning with alcohol is generally not
advised as it may irritate the skin.
,Question 4 of 70
A nurse reviewing a client’s medical record notes a new prescription for verifying the trough level of
the client’s medication. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
☑ Obtain a blood specimen immediately prior to administering the next dose of medication
☐ Verify that the client has been taking the medication for 24 hr before obtaining a blood specimen.
☐ Ask the client to provide a urine specimen after the next dose of medication.
☐ Administer the medication, and obtain a blood specimen 30 min late.
Explanation:
The trough level is the lowest concentration of the drug in the bloodstream and is measured
immediately before the next dose to avoid toxicity or subtherapeutic levels.
, Question 5 of 70
A nurse is preparing a client’s medications. Which of the following actions should the nurse take in
following legal practice guidelines? (Select all that apply.)
☑ Maintain skill competency.
☑ Determine the dosage.
☑ Monitor for adverse effects
☑ Safeguard medications.
☐ Identify the client’s diagnosis
Explanation:
Nurses are responsible for maintaining competency, calculating and verifying dosages, monitoring for
adverse reactions, and safeguarding medications to ensure safe administration. Identifying the diagnosis
is typically the provider's responsibility, not the nurse's legal duty.
