ATI Pharmacology Proctored / Actual
Exam Questions with Correct Answers
& Rationales / 2025
A 12‑month‑old child just received the first measles, mumps, and rubella (mmR) vaccine. For which
of the following possible reactions to this vaccine should the nurse teach the parents to monitor?
(Select all that apply.)
A. Rash
B. Swollen glands
C. Bruising
D. Headache
E. Inconsolable crying - CORRECT ANSWER-a, b, c
(A. A rash and fever can develop in children 1 to 2 weeks following
mmR immunization.
B. Swollen glands can develop in children 1 to 2 weeks following
mmR immunization.
C. A temporary low platelet count, causing bruising or bleeding, can occur occasionally following
mmR immunization)
A charge nurse is planning a staff education session to discuss medications used during the care of a
client experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following medications should the charge nurse
include in the discussion? (Select all that apply.)
A. Lorazepam
B. Diazepam
C. Disulfiram
D. Naltrexone
E. Acamprosate - CORRECT ANSWER-A. Lorazepam
B. Diazepam
(A. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine used during alcohol
withdrawal to decrease anxiety and reduce the risk for seizures.
,B. Diazepam is a benzodiazepine used during alcohol
withdrawal to decrease anxiety and reduce the risk for seizure)
A charge nurse is teaching a group of nurses about the importance of prophylactic antimicrobial
therapy. Which of the following information should the charge nurse include in the teaching? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Administer prophylactic antimicrobial therapy to clients who report exposure to a sexually
transmitted infection.
B. Administer prophylactic antimicrobial therapy to clients who are having orthopedic surgery.
C. Instruct clients who have a prosthetic heart valve about the need for prophylactic antimicrobial
therapy before dental work.
D. Consult the provider for prophylactic antimicrobial therapy for clients who have recurrent urinary
tract infections.
E. Instruct clients to request prophylactic antimicrobial therapy immediately when they have an
upper respiratory infection - CORRECT ANSWER-a, b, c, d
(A. Clients who suspect exposure to a sexually transmitted infection require prophylactic
antimicrobial therapy to prevent an infection.
B. Clients who are having orthopedic surgery require prophylactic antimicrobial therapy to prevent
an infection.
C. Clients who are having dental work and have a prosthetic heart valve should receive prophylactic
antimicrobial therapy to prevent an infection.
D. Clients who have recurrent urinary tract infections should receive prophylactic antimicrobial
therapy to prevent an infection)
A nurse assessing a client's IV catheter insertion site notes a hematoma. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
A. Stop the infusion.
B. Apply alcohol to the insertion site.
C. Apply warm compresses to the insertion site
D. Elevate the client's arm.
E. Obtain a specimen for culture at the insertion site - CORRECT ANSWER-C. Apply warm
compresses to the insertion site
D. Elevate the client's arm.
(C. Warm compresses can help promote healing of a hematoma.
,D. Elevation of the arm helps reduce edema, which can cause pressure and pain and additional
bleeding in the area of the hematoma.)
A nurse at a provider's office is preparing to administer RV, DTaP, hib, PCV13, and IPV immunizations
to a 4‑month‑old infant. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Administer IPV orally
B. Administer subcutaneous injections in the anterolateral thigh.
C. Administer Im injections in the deltoid muscle.
D. Give the infant his pacifier during vaccine injections.
E. Teach parents to give aspirin on a schedule for 24 hr after immunization - CORRECT
ANSWER-b, d
(B. Subcutaneous immunizations may be administered in either the anterolateral thigh or the outer
aspect of the upper arm to infants and children.
D.Giving the infant a pacifier during injections is a comfort measure that should be encouraged by
the nurse.)
A nurse in a clinic is caring for a group of clients. The nurse should contact the provider about a
potential contraindication to a medication for which of the following clients? (Select all that apply.)
A. A client at 8 weeks of gestation who asks for an Influenza immunization
B. A client who takes Prednisone and has a possible Fungal infection
C. A client who has chronic liver disease and is taking Hydrocodone
D. A client who has Peptic Ulcer Disease, takes Sucralfate, and tells the nurse she has started taking
OTC Aluminum Hydroxide
E. A client who has a prosthetic heart valve, takes Warfarin, and reports a suspected pregnancy -
CORRECT ANSWER-B. A client who takes Prednisone and has a possible Fungal infection
C. A client who has chronic liver disease and is taking Hydrocodone
E. A client who has a prosthetic heart valve, takes Warfarin, and reports a suspected pregnancy+
(B. Glucocorticoids should not be taken by a client who has a possible systemic fungal infection. The
nurse should recognize a contraindication and notify the provider.
C. Acetaminophen is contraindicated due to toxicity for a client who has a liver disorder. The nurse
should notify the provider, who can prescribe a medication that does not contain acetaminophen.
E. Warfarin is a Pregnancy Category X medication, which can cause severe birth defects to the fetus.
The nurse should notify the provider about the suspected pregnancy)
, A nurse in a provider's office is instructing a parent of a toddler how to administer ear drops. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A."Place the child on his unaffected side when you
are ready to administer the medication."
B."Warm the medication by gently rolling it between your hands for a few minutes."
C."Gently shake medication that is in suspension form."
D."keep the child on his side for 5 minutes after instillation of the ear drops."
E."Tightly pack the ear with cotton after instillation of the ear drops. - CORRECT ANSWER-a, b,
c, d
(A. The parent should have the child on his
unaffected side to allow access to the affected ear and to promote drainage of the medication by
gravity into the ear.
B. The parent should warm the medication
by rolling it between his hands. Administering
the medication cold can cause dizziness.
C. The parent should gently shake medication that is in suspension form to evenly‑ disperse the
medication.
D.The parent should keep the child on his side to
promote drainage of the medication by gravity into the ear)
A nurse in a provider's office is monitoring serum electrolytes for four older adult clients who take
digoxin. Which of the following electrolyte values increases a client's risk for Digoxin toxicity?
A. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
B. Calcium 10.3 mg/dL
C. Potassium 3.4 mEq/L
D. Potassium 4.8 mEq/ - CORRECT ANSWER-C (Potassium 3.4 mEq/L is below the expected
reference range and puts a client at risk for digoxin toxicity. Low Potassium can cause fatal
dysrhythmias, especially in older clients who take Digoxin. The nurse should notify the provider, who
might prescribe a potassium supplement or a potassium‑sparing diuretic for the client)
A nurse in a provider's office is reviewing the medical record of a client who is pregnant and is at her
first prenatal visit. Which of the following immunizations may the nurse administer safely to this
client?
Exam Questions with Correct Answers
& Rationales / 2025
A 12‑month‑old child just received the first measles, mumps, and rubella (mmR) vaccine. For which
of the following possible reactions to this vaccine should the nurse teach the parents to monitor?
(Select all that apply.)
A. Rash
B. Swollen glands
C. Bruising
D. Headache
E. Inconsolable crying - CORRECT ANSWER-a, b, c
(A. A rash and fever can develop in children 1 to 2 weeks following
mmR immunization.
B. Swollen glands can develop in children 1 to 2 weeks following
mmR immunization.
C. A temporary low platelet count, causing bruising or bleeding, can occur occasionally following
mmR immunization)
A charge nurse is planning a staff education session to discuss medications used during the care of a
client experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following medications should the charge nurse
include in the discussion? (Select all that apply.)
A. Lorazepam
B. Diazepam
C. Disulfiram
D. Naltrexone
E. Acamprosate - CORRECT ANSWER-A. Lorazepam
B. Diazepam
(A. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine used during alcohol
withdrawal to decrease anxiety and reduce the risk for seizures.
,B. Diazepam is a benzodiazepine used during alcohol
withdrawal to decrease anxiety and reduce the risk for seizure)
A charge nurse is teaching a group of nurses about the importance of prophylactic antimicrobial
therapy. Which of the following information should the charge nurse include in the teaching? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Administer prophylactic antimicrobial therapy to clients who report exposure to a sexually
transmitted infection.
B. Administer prophylactic antimicrobial therapy to clients who are having orthopedic surgery.
C. Instruct clients who have a prosthetic heart valve about the need for prophylactic antimicrobial
therapy before dental work.
D. Consult the provider for prophylactic antimicrobial therapy for clients who have recurrent urinary
tract infections.
E. Instruct clients to request prophylactic antimicrobial therapy immediately when they have an
upper respiratory infection - CORRECT ANSWER-a, b, c, d
(A. Clients who suspect exposure to a sexually transmitted infection require prophylactic
antimicrobial therapy to prevent an infection.
B. Clients who are having orthopedic surgery require prophylactic antimicrobial therapy to prevent
an infection.
C. Clients who are having dental work and have a prosthetic heart valve should receive prophylactic
antimicrobial therapy to prevent an infection.
D. Clients who have recurrent urinary tract infections should receive prophylactic antimicrobial
therapy to prevent an infection)
A nurse assessing a client's IV catheter insertion site notes a hematoma. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
A. Stop the infusion.
B. Apply alcohol to the insertion site.
C. Apply warm compresses to the insertion site
D. Elevate the client's arm.
E. Obtain a specimen for culture at the insertion site - CORRECT ANSWER-C. Apply warm
compresses to the insertion site
D. Elevate the client's arm.
(C. Warm compresses can help promote healing of a hematoma.
,D. Elevation of the arm helps reduce edema, which can cause pressure and pain and additional
bleeding in the area of the hematoma.)
A nurse at a provider's office is preparing to administer RV, DTaP, hib, PCV13, and IPV immunizations
to a 4‑month‑old infant. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Administer IPV orally
B. Administer subcutaneous injections in the anterolateral thigh.
C. Administer Im injections in the deltoid muscle.
D. Give the infant his pacifier during vaccine injections.
E. Teach parents to give aspirin on a schedule for 24 hr after immunization - CORRECT
ANSWER-b, d
(B. Subcutaneous immunizations may be administered in either the anterolateral thigh or the outer
aspect of the upper arm to infants and children.
D.Giving the infant a pacifier during injections is a comfort measure that should be encouraged by
the nurse.)
A nurse in a clinic is caring for a group of clients. The nurse should contact the provider about a
potential contraindication to a medication for which of the following clients? (Select all that apply.)
A. A client at 8 weeks of gestation who asks for an Influenza immunization
B. A client who takes Prednisone and has a possible Fungal infection
C. A client who has chronic liver disease and is taking Hydrocodone
D. A client who has Peptic Ulcer Disease, takes Sucralfate, and tells the nurse she has started taking
OTC Aluminum Hydroxide
E. A client who has a prosthetic heart valve, takes Warfarin, and reports a suspected pregnancy -
CORRECT ANSWER-B. A client who takes Prednisone and has a possible Fungal infection
C. A client who has chronic liver disease and is taking Hydrocodone
E. A client who has a prosthetic heart valve, takes Warfarin, and reports a suspected pregnancy+
(B. Glucocorticoids should not be taken by a client who has a possible systemic fungal infection. The
nurse should recognize a contraindication and notify the provider.
C. Acetaminophen is contraindicated due to toxicity for a client who has a liver disorder. The nurse
should notify the provider, who can prescribe a medication that does not contain acetaminophen.
E. Warfarin is a Pregnancy Category X medication, which can cause severe birth defects to the fetus.
The nurse should notify the provider about the suspected pregnancy)
, A nurse in a provider's office is instructing a parent of a toddler how to administer ear drops. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A."Place the child on his unaffected side when you
are ready to administer the medication."
B."Warm the medication by gently rolling it between your hands for a few minutes."
C."Gently shake medication that is in suspension form."
D."keep the child on his side for 5 minutes after instillation of the ear drops."
E."Tightly pack the ear with cotton after instillation of the ear drops. - CORRECT ANSWER-a, b,
c, d
(A. The parent should have the child on his
unaffected side to allow access to the affected ear and to promote drainage of the medication by
gravity into the ear.
B. The parent should warm the medication
by rolling it between his hands. Administering
the medication cold can cause dizziness.
C. The parent should gently shake medication that is in suspension form to evenly‑ disperse the
medication.
D.The parent should keep the child on his side to
promote drainage of the medication by gravity into the ear)
A nurse in a provider's office is monitoring serum electrolytes for four older adult clients who take
digoxin. Which of the following electrolyte values increases a client's risk for Digoxin toxicity?
A. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
B. Calcium 10.3 mg/dL
C. Potassium 3.4 mEq/L
D. Potassium 4.8 mEq/ - CORRECT ANSWER-C (Potassium 3.4 mEq/L is below the expected
reference range and puts a client at risk for digoxin toxicity. Low Potassium can cause fatal
dysrhythmias, especially in older clients who take Digoxin. The nurse should notify the provider, who
might prescribe a potassium supplement or a potassium‑sparing diuretic for the client)
A nurse in a provider's office is reviewing the medical record of a client who is pregnant and is at her
first prenatal visit. Which of the following immunizations may the nurse administer safely to this
client?
