ATI RN
Pharmacology Practice Exam A ATI Questions
Question 1 of 5
A priority nursing assessment for a patient who is to receive an alpha- or beta-adrenergic blocking agent would be what?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most serious adverse effect would be severe bradycardia, so the nurse’s priority would be assessing the heart rate. If the patient were identified as having diabetes, then monitoring blood glucose levels would become important because these drugs can aggravate diabetes by blocking sympathetic response including masking the usual signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Respiratory rate could be impacted if the patient was identified as having a condition causing bronchospasm and diabetes because the combination could worsen both conditions. Measuring urine output should be part of the patient’s care, but it is not the priority assessment.
Question 2 of 5
Dr. Smith orders a gram of human salt poor albumin product for a patient. The product is available in a 50-milliliter vial with a concentration of 25 percent. What dosage will the nurse administer?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A 25 percent albumin solution contains 25 grams of albumin per 100 milliliters.
To administer 1 gram of albumin, the nurse would calculate the volume as follows: 1 gram ÷ 25 grams/100 milliliters = 4 milliliters.
Therefore, the nurse will administer 4 milliliters of the 25 percent albumin solution to deliver the ordered dose of 1 gram. Using the entire vial or not using the product at all would be incorrect.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client receiving IV heparin. Which finding requires immediate action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Heparin anticoagulates, monitored by aPTT (therapeutic: 60-80 seconds). An aPTT of 90 seconds indicates over-anticoagulation, risking bleeding, needing immediate action (e.g., stop infusion). Bruising and redness are minor. Platelets of 150,000 are normal. Prolonged aPTT aligns with heparin's effect, critical in therapy where bleeding is a threat, making B the finding requiring swift response.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is performing a health history on a patient who is ordered to begin therapy with valproic
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Valproic acid is metabolized in the liver, and patients with liver disease may have impaired liver function, which can lead to reduced metabolism of the drug and potential toxicity.
Therefore, a patient with a history of liver disease starting therapy with valproic acid would be a cause for concern for the nurse. Monitoring of liver function tests would be crucial in this patient population to ensure the medication is being safely metabolized.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client with a history of overdosage of aspirin. The nurse suspects which of the following can be an early sign of aspirin toxicity?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be an early sign of aspirin toxicity. Aspirin poisoning can lead to salicylate toxicity, which can manifest with various symptoms including tinnitus, along with hyperventilation, nausea, vomiting, and metabolic acidosis. Monitoring for tinnitus is crucial as an early indicator of potential aspirin overdose in clients. Unsteady gait, drowsiness, and confusion are also symptoms of aspirin toxicity but typically develop after tinnitus in the progression of toxicity.