ATI RN
Virtual ATI Pharmacology Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 5
A client with osteoporosis is prescribed alendronate (Fosamax). Which instruction should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alendronate, a bisphosphonate, treats osteoporosis but risks esophageal irritation. Taking it with water and staying upright prevents reflux, ensuring safety and absorption. With meals reduces uptake via calcium binding. Crushing increases irritation risk. Bedtime heightens reflux. This instruction aligns with alendronate's administration guidelines, critical in osteoporosis where adherence prevents fractures, making A the key teaching point.
Question 2 of 5
Which of the following antipsychotic agents is most associated with the possibility of a hematological dyscrasia such as agranulocytosis in a patient being treated for schizophrenia?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clozapine, a second-generation antipsychotic, is highly effective for treatment-resistant schizophrenia but carries a 1-2% risk of agranulocytosis, a severe drop in neutrophils, necessitating regular blood monitoring. Chlorpromazine causes rare leukopenia, not agranulocytosis prominence. Buspirone, an anxiolytic, lacks hematological risks. Lithium may increase leukocytes, not decrease them. Asenapine has minimal blood dyscrasia association. Clozapine's unique efficacy comes with this rare but serious side effect, distinguishing it and requiring strict oversight, per FDA guidelines.
Question 3 of 5
Co-codamol contains:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Co-codamol contains paracetamol and codeine, a form of opioid analgesic.
Question 4 of 5
What route is Amlodipine taken?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Amlodipine is a medication that is taken orally, usually in the form of tablets. The abbreviation "PO" stands for per os, which means by mouth or orally. Amlodipine is widely prescribed to treat high blood pressure and certain types of chest pain. It works by relaxing the blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood. Taking amlodipine orally allows it to be absorbed through the digestive system and enter the bloodstream to exert its therapeutic effects.
Question 5 of 5
The nursing mother asks the nurse if it is all right to take St. John's wort for mild depression. What is the best response by the nurse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: St. John's wort, an herbal antidepressant, passes into breast milk, potentially affecting the baby-e.g., sedation or colic-making it unsafe without medical advice. Allergies lack evidence as a concern. Milk production isn't a known issue. Taste changes are unproven. Excretion risk is the primary concern, supported by pharmacokinetics, prioritizing infant safety.