ATI RN
ATI Pharmacology Book Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient who is taking aspirin for arthritis pain asks the nurse why it also causes gastrointestinal upset. The nurse understands that this is because aspirin:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Aspirin works by inhibiting both cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes. COX-1 is responsible for producing prostaglandins that help maintain the stomach lining, promote blood clotting, and support kidney function. When COX-1 is inhibited by aspirin, it interferes with the protective mechanisms of the stomach lining, leading to increased risk of gastrointestinal irritation, ulcers, and bleeding. This is why aspirin is known to cause gastrointestinal upset, including symptoms like stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, and even ulcers in some cases.
Question 2 of 5
When collecting a medication history from a patient with primary open-angle glaucoma, the nurse identifies several drugs that could exacerbate glaucoma. Which drug poses a priority concern for this particular patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is compiling a drug history for a patient. Which question from the nurse will obtain the most information from the patient?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A comprehensive drug history includes information about the patient's current and past medication use, including over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and non-pharmacological pain relief methods. Asking, 'When you have pain, what do you do to relieve it?' provides insight into the patient's self-management strategies and helps identify potential drug interactions or misuse. While questions about sleeping pills, family history, and childhood diseases are relevant, they do not provide as much information about the patient's current medication practices. Therefore, focusing on pain relief methods is the most effective way to gather a detailed drug history.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is aware that the following solutions are routinely used to flush an IV device before and after the administration of blood to a patient is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 0.9 percent sodium chloride (normal saline) is the standard solution used to flush IV devices before and after blood transfusions. It is isotonic and compatible with blood products, preventing hemolysis or clotting. Dextrose solutions and sterile water are not used because they can cause hemolysis of red blood cells. Heparin sodium is used for maintaining patency in certain IV lines but is not suitable for blood transfusions. Therefore, normal saline is the correct choice for flushing IV devices in this context.
Question 5 of 5
Which of the following drugs is more likely to cause hyperkalaemia than hypokalaemia in a patient with diabetes and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) within the 'normal' reference range?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hyperkalemia involves elevated potassium, hypokalemia reduced levels. Amphotericin causes hypokalemia via renal potassium wasting, not hyperkalemia. Prednisolone, a glucocorticoid, promotes potassium excretion, risking hypokalemia. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) rarely affects potassium directly with normal eGFR. Salmeterol, a beta-agonist, can shift potassium intracellularly, causing hypokalemia. Insulin, in diabetes management, drives potassium into cells with glucose, potentially causing hyperkalemia if renal excretion is impaired, though less common with normal eGFR. However, its potassium-shifting effect makes hyperkalemia more likely than hypokalemia compared to others, especially in acute settings, a key consideration in diabetic care.