Pharmacology ATI Proctored Test

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Sample questions from Pharmacology ATI Proctored Test

This material has 90 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client who has difficulty swallowing. Which action best supports safe medication administration?

   • A.Ask the client to swallow the medication with a large amount of water
   • B.Crush the medication and mix it with applesauce
   • C.Check whether the medication is an extended-release or enteric-coated formulation
   • D.Dissolve the medication in water before checking its formulation

   Rationale: The nurse should verify the formulation before altering a dosage form because crushing extended-release or enteric-coated medications can cause dose dumping or destroy the protective coating. Crushing and mixing with applesauce is appropriate only when the specific medication may be crushed. Dissolving a medication without checking its formulation has the same safety risk. Water may help swallowing but does not resolve the need to assess whether the client can safely take the formulation.

2. 2.A nurse administers a medication with a short half-life. Which pharmacokinetic principle is most relevant when determining how often the medication may need to be given?

   • A.The degree of protein binding
   • B.The medication's therapeutic index
   • C.The medication's route of excretion
   • D.The time required for the plasma concentration to decrease by half

   Rationale: Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a medication to decrease by 50%, and it helps guide dosing intervals and time to steady state. Route of excretion can influence elimination but is not the definition of half-life. Therapeutic index describes the relative safety margin, not the dosing interval. Protein binding affects distribution and free drug concentration but does not define half-life.

3. 3.A nurse is teaching a client prescribed a newly ordered oral medication. Which actions promote safe medication administration? Select all that apply.

   • A.Document administration before giving the medication
   • B.Ask about allergies and the type of reaction experienced
   • C.Compare the medication label with the medication administration record at the required checks
   • D.Use two client identifiers before administration
   • E.Clarify an order that is incomplete or appears unsafe

   Rationale: Comparing the label with the medication administration record, using two identifiers, checking allergies, and clarifying an unsafe or incomplete order are core medication-safety practices. Documenting before administration is incorrect because documentation must reflect what was actually given. The nurse should not assume that an allergy is insignificant without assessing the client's reaction. These steps reduce wrong-client, wrong-drug, and preventable adverse-event risks.

4. 4.A nurse is teaching a client prescribed a proton pump inhibitor to take once daily for gastroesophageal reflux. When should the client generally take the medication?

   • A.Before the first meal of the day
   • B.With the largest meal of the day
   • C.At bedtime with an antacid
   • D.Only when heartburn occurs

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.A nurse is preparing to administer a medication by intramuscular injection. Which site is generally preferred for an adult when an appropriate volume is prescribed?

   • A.Dorsogluteal site near the sciatic nerve
   • B.Ventrogluteal site
   • C.Subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen
   • D.Area of the deltoid directly over the acromion

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.