ATI RN
ATI Pharmacology Assessment 2 Questions
Question 1 of 5
When monitoring a patient for signs of hypokalemia, the nurse looks for what early sign?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Muscle weakness is an early sign of hypokalemia. Potassium plays a crucial role in maintaining proper muscle function, so low potassium levels can lead to muscle weakness and fatigue. As potassium is essential for nerve impulses and muscle contractions, a decrease in potassium can impair muscle strength and function.
Therefore, when monitoring a patient for signs of hypokalemia, the nurse should look for muscle weakness as an early indicator. Seizures, cardiac dysrhythmias, and diarrhea are potential complications that can occur if hypokalemia is severe and left untreated.
Question 2 of 5
Local vasoconstriction is of short duration and can be prolonged by application of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Thromboxane is a vasoconstrictor that is released by platelets during the process of blood clotting. Local vasoconstriction is a temporary response that occurs to reduce bleeding at the site of injury. Thromboxane plays a role in this process by constricting the blood vessels temporarily to limit blood flow to the injured area. By prolonging the application of thromboxane, vasoconstriction can be prolonged to support the clotting process and minimize bleeding. Adrenaline, steroids, heparin, and thrombin do not have the same vasoconstrictive properties as thromboxane.
Question 3 of 5
A 21-year-old male presents to the clinic with 6 weeks of painful, bloody stools. Flexible sigmoidoscopy reveals erythema and friability with pseudopolyps. Which of the following drugs used for ulcerative colitis has both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ulcerative colitis (U
C) presents with bloody stools and mucosal inflammation, as seen on sigmoidoscopy. Sulfasalazine is correct-it combines 5-ASA (anti-inflammatory) and sulfapyridine (antibacterial), reducing inflammation and bacterial overgrowth in UC. Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant, lacking antibacterial action. Cyclosporine is immunosuppressive, not antibacterial. Mesalamine is anti-inflammatory only. Olsalazine (E) is similar to mesalamine. Sulfasalazine's dual action targets UC's inflammatory and microbial components, making it uniquely suited among the options for this chronic condition.
Question 4 of 5
Toxicity of nicotine containing products:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nicotine toxicity can cause neuromuscular blockade (late phase), but atropine treats muscarinic effects, not paralysis, so that's false. It causes hypertension initially via catecholamine release, not hypotension, making that false. It harms the fetus (e.g., growth restriction), so that's incorrect. Benzodiazepines control agitation and seizures symptomatically, a true statement, useful in acute poisoning. Nausea/vomiting resolve faster than days. Benzodiazepines' symptomatic relief is a practical approach, addressing CNS overstimulation in nicotine overdose.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse will be administering an antitussive medication containing codeine to a patient. What is the priority assessment?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Codeine, an opioid antitussive, can cause respiratory depression as a side effect. The nurse must assess the patient’s respiratory rate before administration to ensure it is within a safe range (typically >12 breaths per minute). While lung sounds (
B) and sputum consistency (
D) are important, they are not the priority when administering a medication that can suppress respiration. Pulse oximetry (
A) is useful but secondary to direct respiratory rate assessment.