ATI RN
ATI Pharmacology Made Easy 4.0 Infection Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient who has been taking a benzodiazepine as a sleep aid for several months wishes to stop taking the medication. The nurse will suggest that the patient taper the dose gradually to avoid which effect?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Benzodiazepines, such as medications used for sleep aid, are known for their potential to cause physical dependence. If a patient abruptly stops taking benzodiazepines after using them regularly for an extended period, they are at risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms can be severe and may include rebound insomnia, anxiety, agitation, tremors, sweating, and even seizures in some cases. To prevent or minimize the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms, it is important for patients to gradually taper off the medication under the guidance of a healthcare provider. This gradual tapering helps the body adjust slowly to decreasing doses of the medication, reducing the risk of withdrawal effects.
Question 2 of 5
The client takes diphenhydramine (Benadryl) but forgets to tell the physician about this drug when a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) drug is prescribed for depression. What will the best assessment by the nurse reveal?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine with anticholinergic properties, interacts dangerously with MAOIs, which inhibit monoamine breakdown. This combination can cause a hypertensive crisis due to excessive norepinephrine from inhibited metabolism, a life-threatening risk requiring urgent assessment. Depression persistence relates to MAOI efficacy, not interaction. Seizures are less common than hypertensive effects. Allergy control isn't the primary concern. The nurse's best assessment focuses on hypertensive crisis, a well-documented MAOI interaction, prioritizing immediate safety and intervention.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is doing health teaching with a patient with psoriasis. Which nursing implication is a priority for a patient on infliximab to treat psoriasis?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Infliximab, a biologic agent used to treat psoriasis, can suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infections and blood disorders. Monitoring the complete blood count (D) is a priority to detect neutropenia, anemia, or thrombocytopenia. Monitoring weight (A), electrolytes (B), or urine output (C) is not typically associated with infliximab therapy.
Question 4 of 5
While caring for a patient with cirrhosis or hepatitis, the nurse knows that abnormalities in which phase of pharmacokinetics may occur?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cirrhosis and hepatitis impair liver function, which directly affects the metabolism of drugs. The liver is responsible for metabolizing many medications through processes such as oxidation, reduction, and hydrolysis. When liver function is compromised, drug metabolism may be slowed, leading to increased drug levels and a higher risk of toxicity. While absorption, distribution, and excretion can also be affected by liver disease, metabolism is the most significantly impacted phase. Therefore, nurses must carefully monitor drug dosages and consider alternative medications for patients with liver dysfunction.
Question 5 of 5
At 4 to 5 half lives the concentration of drug in blood is
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The concentration of a drug in the blood decreases by half with each half-life. Thus, after 4 to 5 half-lives, the amount of drug remaining in the blood would be approximately 6.25% to 3.125% of the original concentration. This translates to the concentration being around 50% or less, making the correct answer A. 50%.