ATI Pharmacology Proctored Exam
2025 – 85 Verified Questions with
Correct Answers | Updated & A+
Question 1
A nurse is administering furosemide to a client with heart failure. Which electrolyte
imbalance should the nurse monitor?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, increases potassium excretion, risking hypokalemia,
which can cause arrhythmias. Monitoring potassium levels is critical for safe administration, per
ATI pharmacology standards.
Question 2
A client with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. What is the primary mechanism of
action?
A. Stimulates insulin release
B. Decreases hepatic glucose production
C. Increases peripheral glucose uptake
D. Inhibits glucagon secretion
Rationale: Metformin, a biguanide, primarily reduces gluconeogenesis in the liver, lowering
blood glucose. This mechanism is key to its use in diabetes management, as emphasized in ATI
pharmacology.
Question 3
A client is receiving heparin for a DVT. Which lab value should the nurse monitor?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count only
D. Prothrombin time
,Rationale: Heparin, an anticoagulant, prolongs aPTT, indicating therapeutic effect (1.5-2.5
times baseline). Monitoring ensures safe dosing to prevent bleeding, aligning with ATI’s focus
on lab-guided therapy.
Question 4
A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol. What is the most common side effect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tremors
C. Hypotension
D. Constipation
Rationale: Albuterol, a beta-2 agonist, stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, causing
tremors. ATI pharmacology emphasizes monitoring for this side effect to ensure patient safety.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. What should be checked before
administration?
A. Blood glucose
B. Apical pulse
C. Blood pressure
D. Respiratory rate
Rationale: Digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, slows heart rate. Checking apical pulse (hold if <60
bpm) prevents toxicity, a key safety protocol in ATI pharmacology.
Question 6
A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which side effect should the nurse teach
the client to report?
A. Weight gain
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Increased appetite
D. Mild fatigue
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, causes cough due to bradykinin accumulation. Patient
education on reporting this side effect is critical, per ATI standards.
Question 7
, A client is receiving vancomycin IV. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Monitor blood glucose
B. Infuse over 60-90 minutes
C. Check respiratory rate
D. Assess for pain
Rationale: Vancomycin, a glycopeptide antibiotic, risks red man syndrome if infused too
quickly. Slow infusion ensures safe administration, a key ATI pharmacology principle.
Question 8
A client with depression is prescribed fluoxetine. Which condition requires immediate
attention?
A. Weight loss
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Dry mouth
D. Insomnia
Rationale: Fluoxetine, an SSRI, risks serotonin syndrome with symptoms like agitation and
hyperthermia. ATI emphasizes monitoring for this life-threatening side effect.
Question 9
A client is prescribed warfarin. Which dietary teaching is most important?
A. Increase calcium intake
B. Maintain consistent vitamin K intake
C. Avoid carbohydrates
D. Limit protein
Rationale: Warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, requires stable vitamin K intake to maintain
therapeutic INR. ATI pharmacology stresses dietary education to prevent bleeding or clotting.
Question 10
A client with seizures is prescribed phenytoin. Which side effect should the nurse monitor?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Gingival hyperplasia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Weight gain
2025 – 85 Verified Questions with
Correct Answers | Updated & A+
Question 1
A nurse is administering furosemide to a client with heart failure. Which electrolyte
imbalance should the nurse monitor?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, increases potassium excretion, risking hypokalemia,
which can cause arrhythmias. Monitoring potassium levels is critical for safe administration, per
ATI pharmacology standards.
Question 2
A client with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. What is the primary mechanism of
action?
A. Stimulates insulin release
B. Decreases hepatic glucose production
C. Increases peripheral glucose uptake
D. Inhibits glucagon secretion
Rationale: Metformin, a biguanide, primarily reduces gluconeogenesis in the liver, lowering
blood glucose. This mechanism is key to its use in diabetes management, as emphasized in ATI
pharmacology.
Question 3
A client is receiving heparin for a DVT. Which lab value should the nurse monitor?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count only
D. Prothrombin time
,Rationale: Heparin, an anticoagulant, prolongs aPTT, indicating therapeutic effect (1.5-2.5
times baseline). Monitoring ensures safe dosing to prevent bleeding, aligning with ATI’s focus
on lab-guided therapy.
Question 4
A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol. What is the most common side effect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tremors
C. Hypotension
D. Constipation
Rationale: Albuterol, a beta-2 agonist, stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, causing
tremors. ATI pharmacology emphasizes monitoring for this side effect to ensure patient safety.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. What should be checked before
administration?
A. Blood glucose
B. Apical pulse
C. Blood pressure
D. Respiratory rate
Rationale: Digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, slows heart rate. Checking apical pulse (hold if <60
bpm) prevents toxicity, a key safety protocol in ATI pharmacology.
Question 6
A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which side effect should the nurse teach
the client to report?
A. Weight gain
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Increased appetite
D. Mild fatigue
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, causes cough due to bradykinin accumulation. Patient
education on reporting this side effect is critical, per ATI standards.
Question 7
, A client is receiving vancomycin IV. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Monitor blood glucose
B. Infuse over 60-90 minutes
C. Check respiratory rate
D. Assess for pain
Rationale: Vancomycin, a glycopeptide antibiotic, risks red man syndrome if infused too
quickly. Slow infusion ensures safe administration, a key ATI pharmacology principle.
Question 8
A client with depression is prescribed fluoxetine. Which condition requires immediate
attention?
A. Weight loss
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Dry mouth
D. Insomnia
Rationale: Fluoxetine, an SSRI, risks serotonin syndrome with symptoms like agitation and
hyperthermia. ATI emphasizes monitoring for this life-threatening side effect.
Question 9
A client is prescribed warfarin. Which dietary teaching is most important?
A. Increase calcium intake
B. Maintain consistent vitamin K intake
C. Avoid carbohydrates
D. Limit protein
Rationale: Warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, requires stable vitamin K intake to maintain
therapeutic INR. ATI pharmacology stresses dietary education to prevent bleeding or clotting.
Question 10
A client with seizures is prescribed phenytoin. Which side effect should the nurse monitor?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Gingival hyperplasia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Weight gain
