ATI RN Pharmacology 2026 Study Guide

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Sample questions from ATI RN Pharmacology 2026 Study Guide

This material has 24 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.A client receiving intravenous morphine is difficult to arouse and has shallow respirations at 6/min. Which action should the nurse take first?

   • A.Wait for the oxygen saturation to decrease.
   • B.Document the finding and reassess in 30 minutes.
   • C.Ask the client to rate the pain again.
   • D.Support ventilation and activate emergency assistance.

   Rationale: A is correct because severe hypoventilation requires immediate airway and breathing support, with naloxone prepared or administered per protocol. B delays treatment of an emergency. C is unsafe because oxygen saturation may lag or remain misleadingly adequate with supplemental oxygen. D delays lifesaving care.

2. 2.Which statement by a client newly prescribed warfarin indicates correct understanding?

   • A.I should avoid every food that contains vitamin K.
   • B.I can stop laboratory monitoring once my dose stays the same.
   • C.I should keep my intake of vitamin K-containing foods consistent.
   • D.I can take ibuprofen freely because it does not change the INR.

   Rationale: B is correct because consistent vitamin K intake supports predictable anticoagulation. A encourages unnecessary restriction and unstable intake. C is incorrect because NSAIDs increase bleeding risk even without changing the INR. D is incorrect because ongoing INR monitoring remains necessary.

3. 3.A client taking digoxin has nausea, an apical pulse of 48/min, and potassium of 2.8 mEq/L. What is the nurse's best action?

   • A.Withhold digoxin and obtain urgent clinical evaluation.
   • B.Give the medication because nausea is expected.
   • C.Administer digoxin with food.
   • D.Administer an additional dose to improve cardiac output.

   Rationale: C is correct because bradycardia, nausea, and hypokalemia raise concern for digoxin toxicity and dysrhythmias. A does not correct the safety problem. B dismisses a concerning symptom cluster. D could worsen toxicity and cause life-threatening conduction disturbances.

4. 4.A nurse must administer 750 mg of a medication supplied as 250 mg per 5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?

   • A.12.5 mL
   • B.15 mL
   • C.10 mL
   • D.5 mL

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.A client is alert, can swallow, and has a blood glucose of 58 mg/dL. Which intervention is appropriate?

   • A.Give long-acting insulin and provide a meal.
   • B.Withhold all intake until the prescriber evaluates the client.
   • C.Give approximately 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate and recheck in 15 minutes.
   • D.Give a high-fat snack and recheck in two hours.

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.