ATI RN
ATI Pharmacology Exam 1 Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for an 80-year-old patient who has just begun taking a thiazide diuretic to treat hypertension. What is an important aspect of care for this patient?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Initiating a fall risk protocol. This is important because thiazide diuretics can cause electrolyte imbalances, such as low potassium levels, which can lead to weakness and increased risk of falls in older adults. Initiating a fall risk protocol will help prevent potential falls and injuries. Encouraging increased fluid intake (choice
A) is generally beneficial but not specifically related to the potential side effects of thiazide diuretics. Increasing activity and exercise (choice
B) is important for overall health but not directly related to the medication's side effects. Providing a low potassium diet (choice
D) may be necessary for certain diuretics, but it is not the most important aspect of care in this case.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is preparing to administer a medication and reviews the patient's chart for drug allergies, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. The nurse's actions are reflective of which phase of the nursing process?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assessment. Assessment is the first phase of the nursing process, involving data collection and analysis to understand the patient's condition. In this scenario, the nurse is gathering information by reviewing the patient's chart for drug allergies, serum creatinine, and BUN levels to assess the patient's current status. This information will guide the nurse in making informed decisions during the subsequent phases of the nursing process.
Summary of other choices:
B: Evaluation comes after implementation to determine the effectiveness of the nursing care provided.
C: Implementation is the phase where nursing interventions are carried out based on the assessment data.
D: Planning involves setting goals and creating a plan of care based on the assessment findings.
Question 3 of 5
In response to the patient's question about how to know whether drugs are safe, the nurse explains that all medications undergo rigorous scientific testing controlled by what organization?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Food and Drug Administration (FD
A). The FDA is responsible for regulating and approving medications in the United States through rigorous scientific testing. They ensure the safety and efficacy of drugs before they can be marketed and sold to the public. The DEA (
B) focuses on enforcing controlled substances laws, not drug safety. The CDC (
C) is primarily concerned with disease prevention and control, not drug testing. JCAHO (
D) accredits healthcare organizations for quality and safety but does not control drug testing.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse learns that a patient cannot afford a prescribed medication and enlists the assistance of the social worker and an outside agency to provide medications at a lower cost. Which QSEN competency do the nurse's actions best demonstrate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Patient-centered care. The nurse's actions demonstrate patient-centered care by prioritizing the patient's needs and advocating for cost-effective medication access. This aligns with the QSEN competency of focusing on individual patient preferences, needs, and values. Collaboration and teamwork (choice
A) may be involved in the process, but the central focus is on the patient's affordability and access to medication. Evidence-based practice (choice
B) involves using research to guide decisions, which is not the primary focus in this scenario. Quality improvement (choice
D) focuses on enhancing healthcare processes and outcomes, which is not directly related to addressing the patient's financial constraints.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is assessing the patient's home medication use. After listening to the patient list current medications, the nurse asks what priority question?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Do you take any over-the-counter medications? This is the priority question because over-the-counter medications can interact with prescribed medications, potentially causing adverse effects. By asking about over-the-counter medications, the nurse can assess for potential drug interactions and ensure the patient's safety.
Choice A is incorrect because the use of generic medications does not typically impact drug interactions.
Choice B is incorrect as orphan drugs are not directly relevant to assessing medication safety.
Choice C is incorrect as it is specific to pregnancy and may not be immediately relevant to the patient.