ATI RN
RN ATI Capstone Pharmacology 2 Quiz Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient requires a high dose of a new antihypertensive medication because the new medication has a significant first-pass effect. What does this mean?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first-pass effect refers to the extensive metabolism of a drug in the liver before it reaches systemic circulation. This reduces the bioavailability of the drug, necessitating a higher dose to achieve therapeutic effects. The medication does not need to pass through the bloodstream multiple times (A), nor is it primarily excreted in the kidneys (B). The drug’s effectiveness is not related to cumulative dosing (D).
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is instructing a client regarding carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet) for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The nurse tells the client which of the following indicates an overdose of the medication?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An overdose of carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet) can cause excessive dopaminergic stimulation, leading to dyskinesias or difficulty performing voluntary movements. Increased blood pressure, decreased appetite, and black tarry stools are not typical signs of overdose. Therefore, difficulty with voluntary movement is the correct indicator of overdose.
Question 3 of 5
A 56-year-old man with progressive, chronic renal impairment is awaiting renal replacement therapy. His treatment includes calcium carbonate tablets, furosemide, irbesartan and amlodipine. He is admitted severely unwell with a BP of 40 by palpation, pulse 112. An ECG shows a broad complex tachycardia with no P waves. Serum Ca2+ is 2.3 mmol/L, PO4 1.7 mmol/L, creatinine 785 μmol/L, Na+ 142 mmol/L, K+ 7.4 mmol/L. Which of the following would be appropriate management?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia (K+ 7.4 mmol/L) in renal failure causes broad complex tachycardia, risking arrest. Amiodarone treats arrhythmias but not hyperkalemia's cause. Digoxin is contraindicated in hyperkalemia and renal failure. IV calcium gluconate stabilizes cardiac membranes, countering potassium's depolarizing effect, appropriate immediate management. Pacing or colestyramine (potassium binder) are secondary. Calcium's rapid action protects the heart, buying time for dialysis, critical in this life-threatening scenario.
Question 4 of 5
Trimethoprim:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Trimethoprim inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, not activates it, blocking folate synthesis in bacteria, so that's false. It's a weak base, a true statement, aiding its concentration in acidic environments like urine. It has good prostate penetration, effective in prostatitis, making that false. It distributes into CSF, useful in meningitis, so that's incorrect. It's teratogenic, not harmless in pregnancy. Its basic nature enhances its antibacterial efficacy, a key pharmacokinetic advantage in urinary tract infections.
Question 5 of 5
During pharmacology class, the student nurse asks the nursing instructor how students will ever learn about the individual antibiotic drugs since there are so many. What is the best response by the nursing instructor?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Learning a representative (prototype) drug from each antibiotic class simplifies understanding by focusing on shared traits-mechanisms, effects, and side effects-reducing the burden of memorizing every drug. Mnemonics aid recall but don't teach concepts. Flow charts organize but lack depth. Categorizing is broad, while prototypes offer a practical, foundational approach, widely used in pharmacology education for mastery.