ATI Pharmacology Week 9 Comprehensive Review 2026
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking digoxin 0.25 mg daily. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of digoxin
toxicity?
A. Bruising and petechiae
B. Yellow-tinged vision
C. Weight gain of 1 kg in 24 hr
D. Tinnitus
Answer: B
Rationale: Signs of digoxin toxicity include gastrointestinal effects (anorexia, nausea,
vomiting) and neurological/visual effects (fatigue, weakness, blurred vision, and yellow-
green or white halos around objects).
2. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client receiving heparin via
continuous IV infusion. Which of the following results should the nurse report to
the provider?
A. Platelet count of 90,000/mm3
B. aPTT of 70 seconds
C. INR of 1.1
D. PTT of 30 seconds
Answer: A
Rationale: A platelet count below 100,000/mm3 can indicate heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia, a serious complication requiring the cessation of heparin.
,3. A client is prescribed spironolactone for heart failure. Which of the following
dietary instructions should the nurse include?
A. Increase intake of bananas and oranges
B. Drink at least 3 liters of fluid per day
C. Avoid salt substitutes containing potassium
D. Consume high-protein snacks between meals
Answer: C
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Using salt substitutes, which
often contain potassium chloride, increases the risk of hyperkalemia.
4. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
captopril. Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct the
client to report?
A. Increased appetite
B. A persistent dry cough
C. Orange-colored urine
D. Excessive salivation
Answer: B
Rationale: Captopril, an ACE inhibitor, commonly causes a dry, nonproductive cough due
to the accumulation of bradykinin.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer warfarin to a client. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse check before administration?
A. aPTT
B. PT/INR
C. Creatinine clearance
D. Serum potassium
Answer: B
, Rationale: The Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) are used
to monitor the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy.
6. A client who is taking atorvastatin reports muscle pain and weakness. Which
of the following laboratory tests should the nurse expect the provider to order?
A. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
B. Serum amylase
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Creatine kinase (CK)
Answer: D
Rationale: Muscle pain and weakness in a client taking a statin can indicate
rhabdomyolysis; an elevated CK level confirms muscle injury.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of sublingual nitroglycerin for chest
pain. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Take up to five tablets 2 minutes apart
B. Store the tablets in a clear plastic container
C. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
D. Stop activity and place one tablet under the tongue
Answer: D
Rationale: At the onset of chest pain, the client should stop activity, sit or lie down, and
place one sublingual tablet under the tongue.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving furosemide. Which of the
following electrolyte imbalances should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking digoxin 0.25 mg daily. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of digoxin
toxicity?
A. Bruising and petechiae
B. Yellow-tinged vision
C. Weight gain of 1 kg in 24 hr
D. Tinnitus
Answer: B
Rationale: Signs of digoxin toxicity include gastrointestinal effects (anorexia, nausea,
vomiting) and neurological/visual effects (fatigue, weakness, blurred vision, and yellow-
green or white halos around objects).
2. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client receiving heparin via
continuous IV infusion. Which of the following results should the nurse report to
the provider?
A. Platelet count of 90,000/mm3
B. aPTT of 70 seconds
C. INR of 1.1
D. PTT of 30 seconds
Answer: A
Rationale: A platelet count below 100,000/mm3 can indicate heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia, a serious complication requiring the cessation of heparin.
,3. A client is prescribed spironolactone for heart failure. Which of the following
dietary instructions should the nurse include?
A. Increase intake of bananas and oranges
B. Drink at least 3 liters of fluid per day
C. Avoid salt substitutes containing potassium
D. Consume high-protein snacks between meals
Answer: C
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Using salt substitutes, which
often contain potassium chloride, increases the risk of hyperkalemia.
4. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
captopril. Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct the
client to report?
A. Increased appetite
B. A persistent dry cough
C. Orange-colored urine
D. Excessive salivation
Answer: B
Rationale: Captopril, an ACE inhibitor, commonly causes a dry, nonproductive cough due
to the accumulation of bradykinin.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer warfarin to a client. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse check before administration?
A. aPTT
B. PT/INR
C. Creatinine clearance
D. Serum potassium
Answer: B
, Rationale: The Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) are used
to monitor the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy.
6. A client who is taking atorvastatin reports muscle pain and weakness. Which
of the following laboratory tests should the nurse expect the provider to order?
A. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
B. Serum amylase
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Creatine kinase (CK)
Answer: D
Rationale: Muscle pain and weakness in a client taking a statin can indicate
rhabdomyolysis; an elevated CK level confirms muscle injury.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of sublingual nitroglycerin for chest
pain. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Take up to five tablets 2 minutes apart
B. Store the tablets in a clear plastic container
C. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
D. Stop activity and place one tablet under the tongue
Answer: D
Rationale: At the onset of chest pain, the client should stop activity, sit or lie down, and
place one sublingual tablet under the tongue.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving furosemide. Which of the
following electrolyte imbalances should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
