DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS PHARM ATI 2025/2026 | Nursing Pharmacology Study
Guide & NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
ATI Pharmacology | Key Domains: Major Drug Classes, Mechanisms of Action, Therapeutic
Uses, Adverse Effects, Interactions, Nursing Considerations, Patient Teaching, and
NCLEX-Style Clinical Decision-Making | Expert-Structured Q&A | Comprehensive Nursing
Review
Introduction
This ATI Pharmacology Drug Classifications resource for the 2025/2026 cycle is designed to
strengthen clinical knowledge of medications commonly encountered in nursing practice.
Content includes essential drug classes, safe medication administration principles, priority
monitoring, expected therapeutic responses, contraindications, and patient-centered education.
All materials are structured to support strong NCLEX-level critical thinking and evidence-based
nursing judgment.
Answer Format
All correct answers appear in bold, followed by concise rationales that emphasize clinical
reasoning, safety considerations, and priority nursing interventions.
CARDIOVASCULAR DRUG CLASSES (Questions 1–20)
1. A patient on lisinopril reports a persistent, dry cough. Which drug class is responsible?
A. Beta-blocker
B. ACE inhibitor
C. Calcium-channel blocker
D. Diuretic
Rationale: Bradykinin accumulation in ACE inhibitors causes cough; switch to ARB if
needed.
2. The nurse monitors for hyperkalemia when administering which class?
A. Loop diuretics
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Beta-blockers
D. Thiazide diuretics
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce aldosterone → decreased K⁺ excretion.
3. Metoprolol should be held if the patient’s apical pulse is:
A. <70 bpm
B. <60 bpm
, C. <80 bpm
D. <50 bpm
Rationale: Beta-blockers slow heart rate; hold for bradycardia to prevent severe
decrease in cardiac output.
4. Which drug class is first-line for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction?
A. Calcium-channel blockers
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Alpha-blockers
D. Centrally acting agents
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce afterload and preload, improving survival.
5. Spironolactone is monitored for which life-threatening adverse effect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Potassium-sparing diuretic; monitor K⁺ and renal function.
6. A patient on hydrochlorothiazide should be advised to:
A. Take at bedtime
B. Rise slowly from lying or sitting
C. Avoid potassium-rich foods
D. Limit fluid intake
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension risk; thiazides also cause mild hypokalemia.
7. Amlodipine commonly causes which side effect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Peripheral edema
C. Dry cough
D. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Dihydropyridine CCBs dilate arterioles → fluid leakage → ankle edema.
8. Which class is contraindicated in asthma?
A. ACE inhibitors
B. Non-selective beta-blockers
C. ARBs
D. Diuretics
Rationale: Block β₂ receptors → bronchoconstriction.
Guide & NCLEX Exam | Questions and Correct Answers
ATI Pharmacology | Key Domains: Major Drug Classes, Mechanisms of Action, Therapeutic
Uses, Adverse Effects, Interactions, Nursing Considerations, Patient Teaching, and
NCLEX-Style Clinical Decision-Making | Expert-Structured Q&A | Comprehensive Nursing
Review
Introduction
This ATI Pharmacology Drug Classifications resource for the 2025/2026 cycle is designed to
strengthen clinical knowledge of medications commonly encountered in nursing practice.
Content includes essential drug classes, safe medication administration principles, priority
monitoring, expected therapeutic responses, contraindications, and patient-centered education.
All materials are structured to support strong NCLEX-level critical thinking and evidence-based
nursing judgment.
Answer Format
All correct answers appear in bold, followed by concise rationales that emphasize clinical
reasoning, safety considerations, and priority nursing interventions.
CARDIOVASCULAR DRUG CLASSES (Questions 1–20)
1. A patient on lisinopril reports a persistent, dry cough. Which drug class is responsible?
A. Beta-blocker
B. ACE inhibitor
C. Calcium-channel blocker
D. Diuretic
Rationale: Bradykinin accumulation in ACE inhibitors causes cough; switch to ARB if
needed.
2. The nurse monitors for hyperkalemia when administering which class?
A. Loop diuretics
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Beta-blockers
D. Thiazide diuretics
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce aldosterone → decreased K⁺ excretion.
3. Metoprolol should be held if the patient’s apical pulse is:
A. <70 bpm
B. <60 bpm
, C. <80 bpm
D. <50 bpm
Rationale: Beta-blockers slow heart rate; hold for bradycardia to prevent severe
decrease in cardiac output.
4. Which drug class is first-line for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction?
A. Calcium-channel blockers
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Alpha-blockers
D. Centrally acting agents
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce afterload and preload, improving survival.
5. Spironolactone is monitored for which life-threatening adverse effect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Potassium-sparing diuretic; monitor K⁺ and renal function.
6. A patient on hydrochlorothiazide should be advised to:
A. Take at bedtime
B. Rise slowly from lying or sitting
C. Avoid potassium-rich foods
D. Limit fluid intake
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension risk; thiazides also cause mild hypokalemia.
7. Amlodipine commonly causes which side effect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Peripheral edema
C. Dry cough
D. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Dihydropyridine CCBs dilate arterioles → fluid leakage → ankle edema.
8. Which class is contraindicated in asthma?
A. ACE inhibitors
B. Non-selective beta-blockers
C. ARBs
D. Diuretics
Rationale: Block β₂ receptors → bronchoconstriction.
