ATI RN
ATI Pharmacology Practice B Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 33-year-old female is brought to the emergency department by her mother. The patient had a sudden onset of fever and her temperature is now 40°C (104°F). She has no sick contacts. The mother mentions that she is on a medication for schizophrenia but could not remember the name. A complete blood count shows 250 neutrophils per microliter. Which of the following medications is she likely taking?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fever and severe neutropenia (250 neutrophils/μL) in a schizophrenic patient suggest clozapine . Clozapine causes agranulocytosis, a rare but serious side effect requiring monitoring. Olanzapine , Quetiapine , Risperidone , and Haloperidol (E) rarely cause this. Clozapine's risk explains the acute presentation, necessitating immediate cessation.
Question 2 of 5
A patient diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a skin cancer, is treated with interferon alfa-2a. The nurse teaches this patient about which side effect?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Flulike syndrome, characterized by fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle aches, is a common side effect of interferon alfa-2a. This occurs because the drug stimulates the immune system, mimicking the body's response to a viral infection. While gastrointestinal symptoms may occur, they are less common than flulike syndrome. Interferon alfa-2a does not typically cause an increase in white or red blood cells. The nurse should educate the patient about managing flulike symptoms, such as using antipyretics and staying hydrated.
Question 3 of 5
A child is admitted with a serious infection. After two days of antibiotics, he is severely neutropenic. The physician orders granulocyte transfusions for the next four days. The mother asks the nurse why? The nurse responds:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Granulocyte transfusions are used to temporarily increase the white blood cell count in severely neutropenic patients, particularly those with life-threatening infections. These transfusions provide functional granulocytes to help fight the infection while the patient's bone marrow recovers and begins producing its own white blood cells. This explanation is accurate and reassures the mother that the treatment is aimed at supporting the child's immune system during a critical period.
Question 4 of 5
The following drugs obey non-linear (dose-dependent) elimination pharmacokinetics:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Phenytoin exhibits non-linear kinetics because its elimination pathways become saturated at therapeutic doses, leading to a disproportionate rise in plasma levels with dose increases.
Question 5 of 5
What is the maximal response a drug can produce?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Efficacy refers to the maximal response a drug can produce, regardless of the dose. It is a measure of how well a drug can produce its desired effect. Potency, on the other hand, refers to the amount of drug required to produce a specific effect and is not related to the maximal response. An agonist is a drug that binds to and activates a receptor. Bioavailability is the fraction of the administered dose of a drug that reaches the systemic circulation.