ATI Pharmacology: Endocrine & Diabetes Medications
Exam 2026 UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
1. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for levothyroxine to
treat hypothyroidism. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
A. Take the medication on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast.
B. Take the medication with food to prevent upset stomach.
C. Increase intake of dietary fiber to boost absorption.
D. Take the medication at bedtime with a glass of milk.
Answer: A
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach to ensure consistent
absorption, typically in the morning before breakfast.
2. A nurse is monitoring a client who is taking propylthiouracil (PTU). Which of
the following findings should the nurse identify as an adverse effect of this
medication?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Hyperactivity
D. Weight loss
Answer: B
Rationale: Bradycardia is a sign of hypothyroidism, which can occur if the dosage of PTU is
too high. PTU is used to treat hyperthyroidism.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking radioactive iodine-131 to treat
Graves’ disease. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. The drug will take effect in 24 hours.
B. Continue to breastfeed during treatment.
C. Avoid close contact with pregnant women for a few days.
D. Expect a full recovery within one week.
Answer: C
Rationale: Radioactive iodine-131 emits radiation; clients should avoid close contact with
others, especially pregnant women and children, for a set period.
4. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
somatropin. The nurse should explain that this medication is used for which of
the following conditions?
A. Growth hormone deficiency
B. Acromegaly
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Hypothyroidism
Answer: A
Rationale: Somatropin is a synthetic growth hormone used to treat growth hormone
deficiencies in children and adults.
5. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is taking
desmopressin for diabetes insipidus. Which of the following findings indicates
the medication is effective?
A. Serum sodium 150 mEq/L
B. Urine specific gravity 1.015
C. Urinary output 500 mL/hr
D. Blood glucose 100 mg/dL
Answer: B
, Rationale: Desmopressin increases water reabsorption in the kidneys, leading to a higher
urine specific gravity (1.010-1.025) and decreased urine output.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking hydrocortisone for Addison’s
disease. Which of the following instructions is the priority?
A. Expect a rounding of the face (moon face).
B. Report any weight gain to the provider.
C. Carry an emergency supply of the medication at all times.
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
Answer: C
Rationale: Clients with adrenal insufficiency must carry emergency medication to prevent
adrenal crisis during times of acute stress or illness.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of insulin glargine. Which of the
following statements should the nurse include?
A. You can mix this insulin with NPH insulin.
B. The insulin has a peak effect at 6 to 8 hours.
C. You should inject this insulin once daily at the same time.
D. This insulin should be cloudy in appearance.
Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin with no peak that should be
administered once daily at the same time and never mixed with other insulins.
Exam 2026 UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
1. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for levothyroxine to
treat hypothyroidism. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
A. Take the medication on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast.
B. Take the medication with food to prevent upset stomach.
C. Increase intake of dietary fiber to boost absorption.
D. Take the medication at bedtime with a glass of milk.
Answer: A
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach to ensure consistent
absorption, typically in the morning before breakfast.
2. A nurse is monitoring a client who is taking propylthiouracil (PTU). Which of
the following findings should the nurse identify as an adverse effect of this
medication?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Hyperactivity
D. Weight loss
Answer: B
Rationale: Bradycardia is a sign of hypothyroidism, which can occur if the dosage of PTU is
too high. PTU is used to treat hyperthyroidism.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking radioactive iodine-131 to treat
Graves’ disease. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. The drug will take effect in 24 hours.
B. Continue to breastfeed during treatment.
C. Avoid close contact with pregnant women for a few days.
D. Expect a full recovery within one week.
Answer: C
Rationale: Radioactive iodine-131 emits radiation; clients should avoid close contact with
others, especially pregnant women and children, for a set period.
4. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
somatropin. The nurse should explain that this medication is used for which of
the following conditions?
A. Growth hormone deficiency
B. Acromegaly
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Hypothyroidism
Answer: A
Rationale: Somatropin is a synthetic growth hormone used to treat growth hormone
deficiencies in children and adults.
5. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is taking
desmopressin for diabetes insipidus. Which of the following findings indicates
the medication is effective?
A. Serum sodium 150 mEq/L
B. Urine specific gravity 1.015
C. Urinary output 500 mL/hr
D. Blood glucose 100 mg/dL
Answer: B
, Rationale: Desmopressin increases water reabsorption in the kidneys, leading to a higher
urine specific gravity (1.010-1.025) and decreased urine output.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking hydrocortisone for Addison’s
disease. Which of the following instructions is the priority?
A. Expect a rounding of the face (moon face).
B. Report any weight gain to the provider.
C. Carry an emergency supply of the medication at all times.
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
Answer: C
Rationale: Clients with adrenal insufficiency must carry emergency medication to prevent
adrenal crisis during times of acute stress or illness.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of insulin glargine. Which of the
following statements should the nurse include?
A. You can mix this insulin with NPH insulin.
B. The insulin has a peak effect at 6 to 8 hours.
C. You should inject this insulin once daily at the same time.
D. This insulin should be cloudy in appearance.
Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin with no peak that should be
administered once daily at the same time and never mixed with other insulins.
