ATI Pharmacology Final Exam Practice 2026 UPDATED
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is preparing to administer gentamicin to a client. Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse monitor for potential toxicity?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum amylase
C. Prothrombin time
D. Serum creatinine
Answer: D
Rationale: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside that can cause nephrotoxicity. Monitoring
serum creatinine and BUN is essential to evaluate renal function.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
digoxin. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse include as an
early sign of digoxin toxicity?
A. Dry cough
B. Pedal edema
C. Anorexia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Early signs of digoxin toxicity often include gastrointestinal upset such as
anorexia, nausea, and vomiting, as well as visual disturbances.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous heparin infusion.
Which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse monitor to adjust the
dosage?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. PT
D. Platelet count
Answer: A
Rationale: The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is used to monitor the
effectiveness of heparin therapy. PT and INR are used for warfarin.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for warfarin. Which of
the following supplements should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Vitamin K
B. Vitamin B12
C. Calcium
D. Iron
Answer: A
Rationale: Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin; sudden increases in Vitamin K intake can
decrease the anticoagulant effects of the medication.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for furosemide. The nurse
should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B
, Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of potassium, leading
to a risk of hypokalemia.
6. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for an ACE inhibitor.
Which of the following side effects is most common with this class of
medication?
A. Tachycardia
B. Constipation
C. Persistent dry cough
D. Weight gain
Answer: C
Rationale: A dry, nonproductive cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors due to the
accumulation of bradykinin.
7. A nurse is administering sublingual nitroglycerin to a client with chest pain.
How many doses can the nurse administer before calling 911 if pain persists?
A. Four doses
B. Two doses
C. Three doses
D. One dose
Answer: D
Rationale: According to current guidelines, if pain is not relieved or worsens after the first
dose, the client or caregiver should call 911 before taking additional doses.
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is preparing to administer gentamicin to a client. Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse monitor for potential toxicity?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum amylase
C. Prothrombin time
D. Serum creatinine
Answer: D
Rationale: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside that can cause nephrotoxicity. Monitoring
serum creatinine and BUN is essential to evaluate renal function.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
digoxin. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse include as an
early sign of digoxin toxicity?
A. Dry cough
B. Pedal edema
C. Anorexia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Early signs of digoxin toxicity often include gastrointestinal upset such as
anorexia, nausea, and vomiting, as well as visual disturbances.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous heparin infusion.
Which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse monitor to adjust the
dosage?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. PT
D. Platelet count
Answer: A
Rationale: The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is used to monitor the
effectiveness of heparin therapy. PT and INR are used for warfarin.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for warfarin. Which of
the following supplements should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Vitamin K
B. Vitamin B12
C. Calcium
D. Iron
Answer: A
Rationale: Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin; sudden increases in Vitamin K intake can
decrease the anticoagulant effects of the medication.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for furosemide. The nurse
should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B
, Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of potassium, leading
to a risk of hypokalemia.
6. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for an ACE inhibitor.
Which of the following side effects is most common with this class of
medication?
A. Tachycardia
B. Constipation
C. Persistent dry cough
D. Weight gain
Answer: C
Rationale: A dry, nonproductive cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors due to the
accumulation of bradykinin.
7. A nurse is administering sublingual nitroglycerin to a client with chest pain.
How many doses can the nurse administer before calling 911 if pain persists?
A. Four doses
B. Two doses
C. Three doses
D. One dose
Answer: D
Rationale: According to current guidelines, if pain is not relieved or worsens after the first
dose, the client or caregiver should call 911 before taking additional doses.
