ATI RN
ATI N303 Pharmacology Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse on a medical unit is planning care for an older adult client who takes several medications. Which of the following prescribed medications places the client at risk for orthostatic hypotension? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: The correct answer is A, B, and C. Duloxetine is an antidepressant known to cause orthostatic hypotension. Furosemide, a diuretic, can also lead to this condition by reducing blood volume. Telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, can cause orthostatic hypotension by lowering blood pressure. Atorvastatin and clopidogrel do not typically lead to orthostatic hypotension.
Therefore, choices D and E are incorrect in this scenario. A comprehensive review of the client's medications and their potential side effects is crucial in identifying the risk factors for orthostatic hypotension.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is on warfarin therapy for atrial fibrillation. The client's INR is 5.2. Which of the following medications should the nurse prepare to administer?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Vitamin K. Warfarin is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting Vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. A high INR of 5.2 indicates the blood is too thin, putting the client at risk for bleeding. Administering Vitamin K helps reverse the effects of warfarin by promoting clot formation and lowering the INR.
Choice A: Epinephrine is not indicated for high INR and is used for severe allergic reactions or cardiac arrest.
Choice B: Atropine is used to treat bradycardia and has no relevance to high INR.
Choice C: Protamine is used to reverse the effects of heparin, not warfarin.
In summary, administration of Vitamin K is essential in this scenario to reverse the effects of warfarin and lower the INR to a safer range.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client who states, 'I don't want to take those drugs.' Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ask the client why he is refusing to take the medications. This is the best initial approach as it allows the nurse to understand the client's concerns or reasons for refusal, which can help address any misconceptions or fears. It promotes client autonomy and open communication.
Explanation of other choices:
A: Explaining the purpose for the medications may be helpful, but it doesn't address the client's specific concerns or reasons for refusal.
C: Telling the client the physician wants him to take the medications is authoritarian and disregards the client's autonomy and right to make informed decisions.
D: Documenting that the client refuses the medications is necessary but should come after understanding the client's reasons for refusal to address the issue effectively.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking digoxin for heart failure and develops indications of severe digoxin toxicity. Which of the following medications should the nurse prepare to administer?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Fab antibody fragments. Fab fragments bind to digoxin, forming a complex that is then excreted by the kidneys, effectively reducing digoxin levels in the body. Flumazenil (
A) is used for benzodiazepine overdose, not digoxin toxicity. Acetylcysteine (
B) is used for acetaminophen overdose. Naloxone (
C) is used for opioid overdose.
Therefore, the nurse should prepare to administer Fab antibody fragments to treat severe digoxin toxicity.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has difficulty swallowing medications and is prescribed enteric-coated aspirin PO once daily. The client asks if the medication can be crushed to make it easier to swallow. Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Correct
Answer: C
Rationale: Enteric-coated aspirin is designed to dissolve in the small intestine, not in the stomach. Crushing it would bypass this delayed-release mechanism, leading to rapid absorption in the stomach. This can result in gastrointestinal irritation and potential adverse effects. By releasing all the medication at once, the therapeutic effect may not be achieved as intended.
Therefore, the nurse should explain to the client that crushing the medication would release all the medication at once, rather than over time.
Summary:
A: Incorrect. Mixing the crushed medication with ice cream does not address the issue of releasing the medication too quickly.
B: Incorrect. While crushing the medication may indeed cause stomachache or indigestion, this is not the primary reason not to crush enteric-coated aspirin.
D: Incorrect. While crushing may alter the effectiveness of the medication, it is not primarily due to destruction of ingredients.