ATI RN
Pharmacology Across the Lifespan ATI Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 45-year-old man with a history of depression is started on sertraline. Sertraline is classified as:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Sertraline belongs to this class of antidepressants, which work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, thereby increasing its levels in the brain. This helps alleviate symptoms of depression. Sertraline is not classified as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) like venlafaxine (Effexor) or duloxetine (Cymbalta), nor a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) such as amitriptyline. It is also not a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) like phenelzine (Nardil) or selegiline (Emsam). SSRI is the most appropriate classification for sertraline based on its mechanism of action and therapeutic use in depression.
Question 2 of 5
A 30-year-old man presented to the clinic with a 2-month history of right-side head pain recurring on a weekly basis. His headaches were usually preceded by unformed flashes of light, bilaterally, and were associated with nausea, vomiting, and photophobia. The headaches were not relieved by aspirin or ibuprofen and usually lasted all day unless he was able to sleep. A drug acting on which of the following receptors would be most appropriate to stop the migraine attack in this patient?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: 5-HT1B/1D serotonergic receptors. Migraine headaches are believed to be caused by neurovascular dysfunction involving serotonin pathways. Activating 5-HT1B/1D receptors can help constrict blood vessels and inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory neuropeptides, thus relieving migraine symptoms. Beta-2 adrenergic (choice A) receptors are not typically involved in migraine pathophysiology. GABAergic (choice B) drugs may be used for other types of headaches but are not specific for migraines. M1 cholinergic (choice C) drugs are not commonly used for migraine treatment as they do not target the serotonin pathways involved in migraines.
Question 3 of 5
A48-year-old woman suffering from allergic urticaria started a treatment with loratadine. The decreased synthesis of which of the following substances most likely mediated the therapeutic effect of the drug in the patient's disease?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Inositol triphosphate. Loratadine is an antihistamine used to treat allergic conditions like urticaria by blocking histamine receptors. Histamine binds to H1 receptors on cells, leading to the activation of phospholipase C, which cleaves phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate into inositol triphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol. IP3 triggers the release of intracellular calcium stores, leading to various cellular responses including allergic reactions. By blocking histamine receptors, loratadine reduces the synthesis of IP3, hence mediating its therapeutic effect. Choice A (cAMP) is incorrect because loratadine does not directly affect the cAMP pathway. Choice B (cGMP) is incorrect as it is not involved in the mechanism of action of loratadine. Choice D (Cyclooxygenase-1) is incorrect as
Question 4 of 5
A48-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department because of fever (103.1°F, 39.5°C), flushing, sweating, tremors, and altered consciousness. Medical history indicated that she had been suffering from depression for 8 years, currently treated with paroxetine, and for insomnia, currently treated with zolpidem. The patient also reported that 24 hours earlier, she had self-administered three tablets of a drug given to her by a friend to treat a severe headache. Further exams confirmed the preliminary diagnosis, and an appropriate treatment was started. Which of the following drugs most likely triggered the patient's disorder?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step 1: Recognize the symptoms described in the scenario: fever, flushing, sweating, tremors, altered consciousness. These symptoms are indicative of serotonin syndrome. Step 2: Identify the patient's medications that can contribute to serotonin syndrome: paroxetine (an SSRI) and zolpidem (a CNS depressant). Step 3: Eliminate paroxetine as the trigger as the patient has been on it for a long time without issues. Step 4: Sumatriptan, a serotonin receptor agonist used for migraines, is the likely culprit. It can interact with SSRIs like paroxetine, leading to serotonin syndrome. Step 5: Summary: Acetaminophen (A) and ibuprofen (C) are unlikely to cause serotonin syndrome. Zolpidem (D) is less likely than sumatriptan to trigger serotonin syndrome in this case. Thus, the correct answer is B.
Question 5 of 5
What does 'pharmacokinetics' include?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.