ATI RN
ATI RN Pharmacology Proctored Exam 2023 Questions
Question 1 of 5
What is the category class of Valproate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Valproate belongs to the category class of anticonvulsants, which are medications primarily used to treat seizures and epilepsy. Valproate is also used as a treatment for vascular headaches, such as migraines. It is not categorized as an anticoagulant, antianxiety medication (such as benzodiazepines), or a mood stabilizer.
Question 2 of 5
For a drug that obeys first-order (linear) kinetics and fits a one-compartment model for elimination:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For first-order kinetics, the rate of elimination is directly proportional to plasma drug concentration, ensuring constant percentage clearance over time.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse assumes care of a patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). The patient had abdominal surgery and is receiving intravenous morphine sulfate for pain. The patient is asleep and has not voided since prior to surgery. The nurse assesses a respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute and notes hypoactive bowel sounds. The nurse will contact the surgeon primarily to report which condition?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most critical condition that the nurse should report to the surgeon in this scenario is respiratory depression. Respiratory depression is a potential side effect of opioid medications such as morphine sulfate. It is characterized by a decreased respiratory rate, which in this case, is 10 breaths per minute, indicating inadequate ventilation. Respiratory depression can lead to hypoxia and respiratory arrest if not promptly addressed. The nurse should prioritize notifying the surgeon to ensure immediate intervention and appropriate monitoring to prevent further complications for the patient. While the other conditions (paralytic ileus, somnolence, and urinary retention) are also relevant to the patient's care, respiratory depression poses the most immediate threat to the patient's safety and requires urgent attention.
Question 4 of 5
A patient is receiving heparin therapy as part of the treatment for a pulmonary embolism. The nurse monitors the results of which laboratory test to check the drug™s effectiveness?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse monitors the aPTT to check the effectiveness of heparin therapy in preventing and treating blood clots. Heparin acts by inhibiting the clotting cascade, specifically by enhancing the activity of antithrombin III, which inactivates clotting factors such as thrombin and factor Xa. The aPTT measures the intrinsic pathway of the clotting cascade, which is affected by heparin therapy. By monitoring the patient's aPTT levels, the nurse can ensure that the patient is within the therapeutic range for heparin therapy to be effective in preventing further clot formation. Monitoring bleeding times, PT/INR, or vitamin K levels is not typically done to assess heparin therapy effectiveness.
Question 5 of 5
Which of the following antipsychotic agents is available in a LAI formulation that may be useful for patients with difficulty adhering to therapy?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Risperidone, a second-generation antipsychotic, offers a long-acting injectable (LAI) formulation (e.g., Risperdal Consta), administered every two weeks, improving adherence in schizophrenia patients with poor oral compliance. Asenapine is sublingual, not LAI. Chlorpromazine, a first-generation drug, lacks an LAI form. Clozapine, effective for treatment-resistant cases, is oral only due to agranulocytosis monitoring. Quetiapine has no LAI. Risperidone's LAI ensures steady drug levels, reducing relapse risk, making it ideal for adherence challenges, per clinical use.