ATI RN
Medical Administrative Assistant Exam Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A health care provider prescribes aspirin 650 mg every 4 hours PO when febrile. For which patient will this order be appropriate?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Aspirin is an analgesic, an antipyretic, and an anti-inflammatory medication. The provider wrote the medication to be given for a fever (febrile). Fevers are common in infections. If a child is bleeding, aspirin would be contraindicated; aspirin increases the likelihood of bleeding. Although it can be used for inflammatory problems (sprained ankle) and pain/analgesia (severe headache), this is not how the order was written.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving pain medication through a saline lock. After flushing the patient's peripheral IV and obtaining a good blood return, the patient reports pain. Upon assessment, the nurse notices a red streak that is warm and tender to the touch. What is the nurse's initial action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this scenario, the correct initial action for the nurse to take is option A) Do not administer the pain medication. The presence of a red streak that is warm and tender to the touch indicates phlebitis, an inflammation of the vein. Administering the pain medication can exacerbate the condition and lead to further complications. Option B) Administer the pain medication slowly is incorrect because giving the medication, regardless of the speed, can worsen the phlebitis. The priority is to address the underlying issue causing the pain before administering any further medication. Option C) Apply a warm compress to the site is incorrect as applying heat to an already inflamed area like phlebitis can increase the inflammation and discomfort for the patient. Option D) Apply a cool compress to the site is also incorrect as cold therapy is not the first-line treatment for phlebitis. Educationally, it is important for healthcare professionals to prioritize patient safety and understand the implications of administering medications in the presence of complications such as phlebitis. Recognizing the signs of phlebitis and knowing the appropriate actions to take can prevent further harm to the patient and ensure quality care delivery. It is vital for medical administrative assistants to be aware of these nursing interventions as they may be involved in communicating with healthcare providers about patient conditions and treatment plans.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is performing the three accuracy checks before administering an oral liquid medication to a patient. When will the nurse perform the second accuracy check?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Before going to the patient's room, compare the patient's name and name of medication on the label of prepared drugs with MAR for the second accuracy check. Selecting the correct medication from the stock supply, unit-dose drawer, or automated dispensing system (ADS) is the first check. The third accuracy check is comparing names of medications on labels with MAR at the patient's bedside. Checking the orders is not one of the three accuracy checks but should be done if there is any confusion about an order.
Question 4 of 5
A child weighs 22.4 kg, and the prescription is for 24 mg/kg of body weight. The medication comes at the strength of 50 mg/mL. How many mL (to one decimal place) of the medication should the child receive?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D) 10.8 mL. To arrive at this answer, we first calculate the total dose needed by multiplying the child's weight (22.4 kg) by the prescribed dosage (24 mg/kg), which equals 537.6 mg. Next, we determine the volume of medication needed by dividing the total dose (537.6 mg) by the strength of the medication (50 mg/mL), resulting in 10.752 mL, which is rounded to 10.8 mL. Option A) 7.5 mL is incorrect because it does not account for the correct dosage based on the child's weight and the prescribed amount per kg. Option B) 8.5 mL is also incorrect and underestimates the required volume of medication. Option C) 9.8 mL is incorrect as it does not accurately calculate the dosage based on the given information. Understanding medication dosage calculations is crucial for medical administrative assistants to ensure accurate administration of medications to patients. This question assesses the candidate's ability to calculate dosages based on a patient's weight, prescribed dosage, and medication strength, emphasizing the importance of precision and attention to detail in healthcare settings.
Question 5 of 5
A patient has had a myocardial infarction involving a large section of the heart muscle. You assess them at risk for
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B) cardiogenic shock. When a patient experiences a large myocardial infarction (heart attack) involving a significant portion of the heart muscle, it can severely impair the heart's ability to pump effectively. This impaired pumping function leads to a decrease in cardiac output, which in turn can result in cardiogenic shock. In cardiogenic shock, the heart is unable to meet the body's demand for oxygen and nutrients, leading to inadequate tissue perfusion. Option A) hypovolemic shock, is incorrect because hypovolemic shock is caused by a significant loss of blood or fluids in the body, not by a myocardial infarction. Option C) metabolic shock, is not a recognized type of shock. Shock is typically categorized by the underlying cause, such as hypovolemic, cardiogenic, septic, or anaphylactic shock. Option D) neurogenic shock, is caused by a sudden loss of sympathetic nervous system input to the blood vessels, leading to vasodilation and a decrease in blood pressure. It is not directly related to a myocardial infarction involving a large section of the heart muscle. Educationally, understanding the potential complications of a myocardial infarction, such as cardiogenic shock, is crucial for medical administrative assistants working in healthcare settings. This knowledge allows them to recognize the signs and symptoms of cardiogenic shock in patients who have experienced a heart attack, ensuring prompt and appropriate medical intervention to prevent further deterioration and improve patient outcomes.