ATI RN
Pharmacology Practice Exam ATI Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 17-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a persistent cough and nasal congestion. He has been taking various prescription cough and cold medicines but did not know their names. A urine drug screen is positive for amphetamines. When confronted with this information, he vehemently denies amphetamine use. What is the best explanation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Positive amphetamine screen with cough/cold medicine use suggests a false positive from ephedrine . Ephedrine, in decongestants, cross-reacts with amphetamine assays. Codeine and marijuana don't. Lying or sample mix-up (E) are less likely given his denial and context. This common false positive explains the discrepancy.
Question 2 of 5
Following surgery, a client is placed on cefotaxime (Claforan). The assessment for possible adverse effects should include observing for
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cefotaxime is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial infections post-surgery. One of its most significant and frequent adverse effects is disruption of the gastrointestinal flora, which can lead to diarrhea, including potentially severe conditions like Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea. This makes monitoring for diarrhea a critical nursing action, as it can indicate a serious complication requiring immediate intervention. While headache, constipation, and tachycardia can occur with various medications, they are less commonly associated with cefotaxime compared to diarrhea. Headache might suggest a neurological issue or dehydration, constipation could relate to immobility post-surgery rather than the drug itself, and tachycardia might indicate an allergic reaction or systemic issue, but these are not the primary concerns with this antibiotic. Diarrhea, however, directly correlates with cefotaxime's impact on gut microbiota, making it the priority observation for adverse effects in this scenario, thus supporting choice A as the correct answer.
Question 3 of 5
The patient has been prescribed dextromethorphan (Delsym). What medication information should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dextromethorphan suppresses cough but with alcohol or overdose can cause CNS effects like slurred speech . Smoking isn't directly relevant. It acts within 15-30 minutes, not an hour . Choice D instructs on recognizing toxicity, ensuring safety and prompt reporting.
Question 4 of 5
A client is prescribed an intranasal corticosteroid. What should the nurse include in client education about this drug?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Intranasal corticosteroids cause burning and nosebleeds . They're preventive (choice B wrong), dosing is fixed (choice C wrong). D educates on side effects, making it key.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse administers IV furosemide (Lasix) to a client with heart failure. Which finding indicates a therapeutic effect?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide reduces fluid overload in heart failure by diuresis, decreasing edema , a direct therapeutic sign. BP may drop, not rise. Heart rate isn't primary'preload reduction matters. Thirst is a side effect. Edema reduction aligns with furosemide's action, critical in heart failure where congestion drives symptoms, making A the key finding.