ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED CM
EXAM 2026 UPDATE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS ALREADY
GRADED A+ (BRAND NEW VISION)
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for Escitalopram for treatment of
generalized Anxiety disorder. Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I should take the medication on an empty stomach."
B. "I will follow a low-sodium diet while taking this medication."
C. "I need to discontinue this medication slowly."
D. "I should not crush this medication before swallowing." - C. "I need to discontinue
this medication slowly."
(When discontinuing escitalopram, the client should taper the medication slowly
according to a prescribed tapered dosing schedule to reduce the risk of
withdrawal syndrome.)
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for Buspirone to
treat Anxiety. Which of the following information should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach"
B. "Expect optimal therapeutic effects within 24 hr."
C. "Take this medication when needed for anxiety"
D. "This medication has a low risk for dependency."
- D. "This medication has a low risk for dependency."
(Buspiro ne has a low risk for physical or psychological dependence or
tolerance.)
A nurse is teaching a client who has OCD and has a new prescription for Paroxetine.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "It can take several weeks before you feel like the medication is helping."
B. "Take the medication just before bedtime to promote sleep."
C. "You should take the medication when needed for obsessive urges."
D. "Monitor for weight gain while taking this medication." - A. "It can take several
weeks before you feel like the medication is helping."
,(Paroxetine can take 1 to 4 weeks before the client reaches full therapeutic
benefit.)
A nurse is caring for a client who takes Paroxetine to treat PTSD and reports that he
grinds his teeth during the night. The nurse should identify which of the following
interventions to manage Bruxism? (Select all that apply.)
A. Concurrent administration of buspirone
B. Administration of a different SSRI
C. Use of a mouth guard
D. Changing to a different class of antidepressant medication
E. Increasing the dose of paroxetine - A. Concurrent administration of buspirone
C. Use of a mouth guard
D. Changing to a different class of antidepressant medication
(A. Concurrent administration of a low dose of buspirone is an effective measure
to manage the adverse effects of paroxetine
C.Using a mouth guard during sleep can decrease the risk for oral damage
resulting from bruxism.
D. Changing to different class of antidepressant medication that does not have
the adverse effect of bruxism is an effective measure)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for Phenelzine for the
treatment of depression. Which of the following indicates that the client has developed
an adverse effect of this medication?
A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Hearing loss
C. Gastrointestinal bleeding
D. Weight loss - A. Orthostatic hypotension
(Orthostatic hypotension is an adverse of effect of mAOIs, including phenelzine.)
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for Amitriptyline for
treatment of depression. Which of the following should the nurse include in the
teaching? (Select all that apply.)
A. Expect therapeutic effects in 24 to 48 hr.
B. Discontinue the medication after a week of improved mood.
C. Change positions slowly to minimize dizziness.
D. Decrease dietary fiber intake to control diarrhea.
E. Chew sugarless gum to prevent dry mouth - C. Change positions slowly to
minimize dizziness.
E. Chew sugarless gum to prevent dry mouth
,(C. Changing positions slowly helps prevent orthostatic hypotension, which is an
adverse effect of amitriptyline
E. Chewing sugarless gum can minimize dry mouth, which is an adverse effect of
amitriptyline)
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
Fluoxetine for PTSD. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the
teaching?
A. "You may have a decreased desire for intimacy while taking this medication."
B. "You should take this medication at bedtime to help promote sleep."
C. "You will have fewer urinary adverse effects if you urinate just before taking this
medication."
D. "You'll need to wear sunglasses when outdoors due to the light sensitivity caused by
this medication. - A. "You may have a decreased desire for intimacy while taking
this medication."
(Decreased libido is a potential adverse effect of fluoxetine and other SSRIs)
A nurse is caring for a client who has Depression and a new prescription for
Venlafaxine. For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor this
client? (Select all that apply)
A. Cough
B. Dizziness
C. Decreased libido
D. Alopecia
E. hypotension - A. Cough
B. Dizziness
C. Decreased libido
(A.Cough and dyspnea can indicate that the client has developed bronchitis,
which is an adverse effect of venlafaxine.
B.Dizziness is a common adverse effect of venlafaxine.
C.Sexual dysfunction, such as decreased)
A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking Sertraline for the past 2 days. Which
of the following assessment findings should alert the nurse to the possibility that the
client is developing Serotonin syndrome?
A. Bruising
, B. Fever
C. Abdominal pain
D. Rash - B. Fever
(Fever is a manifestation of serotonin syndrome,
which can result from taking an SSRI such as sertraline)
A nurse is reviewing laboratory findings and notes that a client's plasma Lithium level is
2.1 mEq/L. Which of the following is an appropriate action by the nurse?
A. Perform immediate gastric lavage.
B. Prepare the client for hemodialysis.
C. Administer an additional oral dose of lithium.
D. Request a stat repeat of the laboratory test - A. Perform immediate gastric lavage.
(Gastric lavage is appropriate for a client who has severe toxicity, as evidenced by a
plasma lithium level of 2.1 mEq/L. This action will lower the client's lithium level.)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for Lithium Carbonate. When
teaching the client about ways to prevent Lithium toxicity, the nurse should advise the
client to do which of the following?
A. Avoid the use of acetaminophen for headaches.
B. Restrict intake of foods rich in sodium.
C. Decrease fluid intake to less than 1,500 mL daily
D. Limit aerobic activity in hot weather - D. Limit aerobic activity in hot weather
(The client should avoid activities that have the potential to cause sodium/water
depletion, which can increase the risk for toxicity)
A nurse is assessing a client who takes Lithium Carbonate for the treatment of Bipolar
disorder. The nurse should recognize which of the following findings as a possible
indication of toxicity to this medication?
A. Severe hypertension
B. Coarse tremors
C. Constipation
D. Muscle spasm - B. Coarse tremors
(Coarse tremors are an indication of toxicity)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for Valproic Acid. The nurse
should instruct the client that while taking this medication he will need to have which of
the following laboratory tests completed periodically? (Select all that apply.)
A. Thrombocyte count
EXAM 2026 UPDATE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS ALREADY
GRADED A+ (BRAND NEW VISION)
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for Escitalopram for treatment of
generalized Anxiety disorder. Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I should take the medication on an empty stomach."
B. "I will follow a low-sodium diet while taking this medication."
C. "I need to discontinue this medication slowly."
D. "I should not crush this medication before swallowing." - C. "I need to discontinue
this medication slowly."
(When discontinuing escitalopram, the client should taper the medication slowly
according to a prescribed tapered dosing schedule to reduce the risk of
withdrawal syndrome.)
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for Buspirone to
treat Anxiety. Which of the following information should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach"
B. "Expect optimal therapeutic effects within 24 hr."
C. "Take this medication when needed for anxiety"
D. "This medication has a low risk for dependency."
- D. "This medication has a low risk for dependency."
(Buspiro ne has a low risk for physical or psychological dependence or
tolerance.)
A nurse is teaching a client who has OCD and has a new prescription for Paroxetine.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "It can take several weeks before you feel like the medication is helping."
B. "Take the medication just before bedtime to promote sleep."
C. "You should take the medication when needed for obsessive urges."
D. "Monitor for weight gain while taking this medication." - A. "It can take several
weeks before you feel like the medication is helping."
,(Paroxetine can take 1 to 4 weeks before the client reaches full therapeutic
benefit.)
A nurse is caring for a client who takes Paroxetine to treat PTSD and reports that he
grinds his teeth during the night. The nurse should identify which of the following
interventions to manage Bruxism? (Select all that apply.)
A. Concurrent administration of buspirone
B. Administration of a different SSRI
C. Use of a mouth guard
D. Changing to a different class of antidepressant medication
E. Increasing the dose of paroxetine - A. Concurrent administration of buspirone
C. Use of a mouth guard
D. Changing to a different class of antidepressant medication
(A. Concurrent administration of a low dose of buspirone is an effective measure
to manage the adverse effects of paroxetine
C.Using a mouth guard during sleep can decrease the risk for oral damage
resulting from bruxism.
D. Changing to different class of antidepressant medication that does not have
the adverse effect of bruxism is an effective measure)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for Phenelzine for the
treatment of depression. Which of the following indicates that the client has developed
an adverse effect of this medication?
A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Hearing loss
C. Gastrointestinal bleeding
D. Weight loss - A. Orthostatic hypotension
(Orthostatic hypotension is an adverse of effect of mAOIs, including phenelzine.)
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for Amitriptyline for
treatment of depression. Which of the following should the nurse include in the
teaching? (Select all that apply.)
A. Expect therapeutic effects in 24 to 48 hr.
B. Discontinue the medication after a week of improved mood.
C. Change positions slowly to minimize dizziness.
D. Decrease dietary fiber intake to control diarrhea.
E. Chew sugarless gum to prevent dry mouth - C. Change positions slowly to
minimize dizziness.
E. Chew sugarless gum to prevent dry mouth
,(C. Changing positions slowly helps prevent orthostatic hypotension, which is an
adverse effect of amitriptyline
E. Chewing sugarless gum can minimize dry mouth, which is an adverse effect of
amitriptyline)
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
Fluoxetine for PTSD. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the
teaching?
A. "You may have a decreased desire for intimacy while taking this medication."
B. "You should take this medication at bedtime to help promote sleep."
C. "You will have fewer urinary adverse effects if you urinate just before taking this
medication."
D. "You'll need to wear sunglasses when outdoors due to the light sensitivity caused by
this medication. - A. "You may have a decreased desire for intimacy while taking
this medication."
(Decreased libido is a potential adverse effect of fluoxetine and other SSRIs)
A nurse is caring for a client who has Depression and a new prescription for
Venlafaxine. For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor this
client? (Select all that apply)
A. Cough
B. Dizziness
C. Decreased libido
D. Alopecia
E. hypotension - A. Cough
B. Dizziness
C. Decreased libido
(A.Cough and dyspnea can indicate that the client has developed bronchitis,
which is an adverse effect of venlafaxine.
B.Dizziness is a common adverse effect of venlafaxine.
C.Sexual dysfunction, such as decreased)
A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking Sertraline for the past 2 days. Which
of the following assessment findings should alert the nurse to the possibility that the
client is developing Serotonin syndrome?
A. Bruising
, B. Fever
C. Abdominal pain
D. Rash - B. Fever
(Fever is a manifestation of serotonin syndrome,
which can result from taking an SSRI such as sertraline)
A nurse is reviewing laboratory findings and notes that a client's plasma Lithium level is
2.1 mEq/L. Which of the following is an appropriate action by the nurse?
A. Perform immediate gastric lavage.
B. Prepare the client for hemodialysis.
C. Administer an additional oral dose of lithium.
D. Request a stat repeat of the laboratory test - A. Perform immediate gastric lavage.
(Gastric lavage is appropriate for a client who has severe toxicity, as evidenced by a
plasma lithium level of 2.1 mEq/L. This action will lower the client's lithium level.)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for Lithium Carbonate. When
teaching the client about ways to prevent Lithium toxicity, the nurse should advise the
client to do which of the following?
A. Avoid the use of acetaminophen for headaches.
B. Restrict intake of foods rich in sodium.
C. Decrease fluid intake to less than 1,500 mL daily
D. Limit aerobic activity in hot weather - D. Limit aerobic activity in hot weather
(The client should avoid activities that have the potential to cause sodium/water
depletion, which can increase the risk for toxicity)
A nurse is assessing a client who takes Lithium Carbonate for the treatment of Bipolar
disorder. The nurse should recognize which of the following findings as a possible
indication of toxicity to this medication?
A. Severe hypertension
B. Coarse tremors
C. Constipation
D. Muscle spasm - B. Coarse tremors
(Coarse tremors are an indication of toxicity)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for Valproic Acid. The nurse
should instruct the client that while taking this medication he will need to have which of
the following laboratory tests completed periodically? (Select all that apply.)
A. Thrombocyte count
