ATI RN
Effects of Pharmacological Treatments on Clients Across a Lifespan Questions
Question 1 of 4
A 34-year-old man with a seizure disorder presents to the emergency department with severe left-sided flank pain. The pain began suddenly this morning and has not improved. His urinalysis shows microscopic hematuria, and a KUB confirms a kidney stone. Which pain medication should be avoided in this patient?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 2 of 4
An 83-year-old man has a 2-month history of akinesia, rigidity, and tremor. He has been taking a drug for the past 7 years to control severe behavioral and psychiatric symptoms associated with dementia, Alzheimer type. This adverse effect is most likely mediated through which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The symptoms (akinesia, rigidity, tremor) suggest drug-induced parkinsonism, a common side effect of antipsychotics used for behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer’s dementiThese drugs (e.g., haloperidol) exert antidopaminergic effects by blocking D2 receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway, mimicking Parkinson’s disease. Anticholinergic effects typically relieve parkinsonism, not cause it. GABA downregulation or upregulation (F) relates to sedation or seizures, not these motor symptoms. Norepinephrine or serotonin (E) reuptake inhibition is unrelated to parkinsonism.
Question 3 of 4
A 49-year-old man with hypertension comes to the physician for a follow-up examination. At his last visit 2 months ago, his serum total cholesterol concentration was 320 mg/dL. He then began a low-cholesterol diet. His blood pressure is 145/95 mm Hg. Physical examination shows no other abnormalities. Serum studies show a total cholesterol concentration of 310 mg/dL. Kidney and liver function test results are within normal limits. The most appropriate pharmacotherapy for this patient is a drug that has which of the following mechanisms of action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Persistent hypercholesterolemia (310 mg/dL) despite diet indicates a need for a statin, which inhibits HMG-CoA reductase (E), reducing hepatic cholesterol synthesis and upregulating LDL receptors to lower serum cholesterol. PPAR activation is for fibrates (triglycerides), VLDL reduction for niacin, bile acid sequestration for resins, and cholesterol absorption inhibition for ezetimibe—statins are most effective for LDL here.
Question 4 of 4
A patient is about to receive a morning dose of digoxin and has an apical pulse of 53 beats/minute. Which of the following actions should the nurse do first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin slows heart rate via vagal stimulation and AV node inhibition. A pulse of 53 beats/minute (bradycardia) is below the typical threshold (<60 bpm) for holding the dose, making the first action to prevent toxicity (e.g., arrhythmias). Notifying the charge nurse or provider follows, and administering risks harm. Note: Answer key says (c), but is the priority per nursing protocol.