ATI RN
Practice ATI B Exam Pharmacology Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient comes to the ER with a painful stab wound. The ER resident administers pentazocine for the pain. Soon after administration the patient experiences sweating, restlessness, and an increase in pain sensations. What is the most likely explanation for his symptoms?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pentazocine, a mixed opioid agonist-antagonist, acts as a kappa receptor agonist and a partial mu receptor agonist, providing analgesia in opioid-naive patients. However, in a heroin addict with high mu receptor tolerance, pentazocine's partial antagonism at mu receptors can displace full agonists like heroin, precipitating withdrawal symptoms—sweating, restlessness, and heightened pain perception. Tolerance to pentazocine itself wouldn't typically increase pain; it would reduce efficacy. Pentazocine is an effective analgesic in appropriate contexts, so ineffectiveness isn't the issue. Incorrect dosing might alter efficacy or toxicity but wouldn't specifically cause this withdrawal-like reaction. The patient's history of heroin use explains this response, as pentazocine's antagonist properties disrupt the opioid equilibrium, unmasking withdrawal in a dependent individual.
Question 2 of 5
A patient says, 'I have such bad seasonal allergies. Is there anything I can take to keep them from happening?' What information should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Preventing seasonal allergies involves blocking histamine (antihistamines, choice A), reducing inflammation (corticosteroids, choice B), or stabilizing mast cells . Mast cell stabilizers (e.g., cromolyn) prevent histamine release, a proactive approach. Decongestants relieve symptoms, not prevent. Choice C highlights a preventive mechanism, key for allergy management education.
Question 3 of 5
A patient who reports severe seasonal allergies has been prescribed fluticasone (Flonase). The nurse providing medication information would collaborate with the prescriber if the patient makes which statement?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client receiving gentamicin (Garamycin). Which instruction should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Gentamicin risks ototoxicity, causing tinnitus (ringing, choice A), a serious sign needing immediate reporting to prevent hearing loss. Food doesn't apply'IV delivery. Calcium is irrelevant. Stopping early risks resistance. Reporting tinnitus aligns with gentamicin's toxicity profile, critical in therapy where auditory damage is irreversible, making A the key instruction.
Question 5 of 5
In the case of an intramuscular injection of a drug:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.