Pharmacology ATI Proctored Exam 2024 -Nurselytic

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Anatomy, physiology, and microbiology provide foundational knowledge for pharmacology, enabling nurses to understand drug actions, interactions, and patient responses, ultimately enhancing patient care through informed medication administration. Pharmacology as an outgrowth oversimplifies its integration with these sciences. Curriculum mandates explain requirements but not their value. Understanding these subjects is essential, yet the broader goal is applying this to care, not just comprehension. Linking them to patient outcomes-like knowing how antibiotics target bacteria (microbiology) or how drugs affect organs (anatomy/physiology)-grounds pharmacology in practical, holistic nursing practice, making it the strongest rationale.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Zidovudine, an antiretroviral, treats HIV but risks bone marrow suppression, causing anemia. Monitoring RBC count detects this, ensuring timely intervention (e.g., transfusion). Liver enzymes matter with other drugs. Potassium and glucose aren't primary concerns. RBC monitoring aligns with zidovudine's toxicity profile, critical in HIV where anemia impacts quality of life, making A the key value.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is generally considered to be 0.6-1.2 mmol/L (which is equivalent to 0.6-1.2 mEq/L). However, some sources may state a slightly wider range of 0.5-1.5 mEq/L. It is important to note that individual patient factors and clinical judgment should also be considered when interpreting lithium levels. Levels below the therapeutic range may be subtherapeutic and not provide the desired therapeutic effect, while levels above the range may result in toxicity and adverse effects. Monitoring lithium levels regularly is important to ensure they remain within the therapeutic range.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: At high doses, aspirin shifts to zero-order kinetics, not first-order, due to saturated metabolism, so that's false. Aspirin irreversibly inhibits COX, not reversibly, distinguishing it from other NSAIDs, making that false. At low doses (≤2 g/day), aspirin retains uric acid, not reduces it (uricosuric at >4 g/day), so that's incorrect. All NSAIDs, including aspirin and ibuprofen, distribute into synovial fluid with repeated dosing, a true statement, aiding arthritis treatment. Combining ibuprofen and aspirin reduces, not increases, efficacy due to competition. Synovial penetration is key to their anti-inflammatory action in joints.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Lipid-soluble drugs distribute widely, crossing membranes like the blood-brain barrier easily, unlike water-soluble ones. The barrier blocks some, not all, drugs. High blood flow aids delivery, not hinders. Protein complexes limit free drug, not enable crossing. Lipid solubility enhances distribution, a pharmacokinetic truth.