ATI RN
ATI Pharmacology Study Guide PDF Questions
Question 1 of 5
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 should be withheld if the apical pulse is below 60 beats/minute in adults, as it can exacerbate bradycardia and lead to serious cardiac complications. The nurse should hold the dose and notify the healthcare provider for further instructions. Administering the dose (B) or contacting the charge nurse (C) without holding the dose is inappropriate.
Question 2 of 5
Which of the following drugs used in cancer chemotherapy is most likely to be associated with cerebellar dysfunction?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Chemotherapy neurotoxicity varies. Cytarabine, at high doses, causes cerebellar ataxia and dysarthria via Purkinje cell damage, most likely here. Cyclophosphamide risks hemorrhagic cystitis, mitoxantrone cardiotoxicity, bleomycin lung fibrosis, and vincristine peripheral neuropathy, not cerebellar issues. Cytarabine's CNS penetration drives this toxicity, requiring dose monitoring in leukemia treatment.
Question 3 of 5
Which assessment should the nurse prioritize for a client receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN)?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a client receives total parenteral nutrition (TPN), monitoring blood glucose levels is critical due to the high glucose content in TPN solutions, which can lead to hyperglycemia. This condition arises because TPN delivers concentrated nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system, and the body may struggle to regulate sugar levels effectively without proper insulin response. Potassium levels, while important in overall electrolyte balance, are less immediately impacted by TPN compared to glucose, as potassium imbalances typically develop over time rather than acutely from TPN initiation. Mental status assessments are valuable for neurological conditions but lack direct relevance to TPN's metabolic effects. Similarly, blood pressure monitoring is essential for cardiovascular health but isn't the primary concern with TPN, as it doesn't directly influence hypertension or hypotension in the same way glucose dysregulation does. The focus on glucose stems from its rapid impact on the client's metabolic state, making it the priority assessment to prevent complications like hyperglycemia, which can escalate to severe outcomes if unaddressed. Regular monitoring ensures timely intervention, aligning with TPN's nutritional goals.
Question 4 of 5
The client is receiving a very expensive medication. The client asks the nurse why the medicine is so expensive. What is the best response by the nurse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: High drug costs stem from research, development, and production expenses-years of trials and manufacturing-requiring companies to recover investments, a factual explanation. Insurance coverage sidesteps the question. Advertising adds cost but isn't primary. Accountability is opinion, not answer. Development costs provide a clear, neutral reason, educating the client on pharmaceutical economics.
Question 5 of 5
The pregnant patient plans to breastfeed her baby. She asks the nurse about the use of herbal products during breastfeeding. What is the best response by the nurse?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Herbals (e.g., St. John's wort) transfer to breast milk, risking infant effects (e.g., sedation), so avoiding them is safest, per pharmacokinetics. Labels lack consistent breastfeeding data. ‘Natural' doesn't mean safe-some are toxic. Timing doesn't eliminate transfer. Transfer risk advises caution, protecting the baby.