ATI RN
2019 ATI Pharmacology Proctored Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
Basis for pharmacotherapeutics
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The basis for pharmacotherapeutics lies in the selective action of drugs with regard to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases. Pharmacotherapeutics involves the use of drugs to manage diseases and improve health outcomes. Drugs are carefully selected based on their mechanism of action, efficacy, safety profile, and suitability for a specific condition. The goal is to achieve optimal therapeutic effects while minimizing potential adverse effects. By understanding the selective action of drugs in targeting specific pathways or processes in the body, healthcare providers can customize treatment regimens to individual patients and achieve the best possible outcomes.
Question 2 of 5
Barbiturates are contraindicated in a dental patient with: II. emphysema III. Undiagnosed severe pain III. hypertension IV. Acute intermittent porphyria
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 3 of 5
A patient is scheduled to receive chemotherapy drugs that will cause myelosuppression. Which action by the nurse will be most important?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Myelosuppression, a common side effect of chemotherapy, leads to a decrease in white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. A drop in white blood cells, particularly neutrophils, increases the risk of infection. Monitoring for a change in temperature is critical because fever is often the first sign of infection in neutropenic patients. Early detection allows for prompt intervention, such as administering antibiotics, to prevent life-threatening complications. While gastrointestinal function, cardiac compromise, and changes in taste are important to assess, they are not as immediately life-threatening as an undetected infection in a myelosuppressed patient.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is caring for a young patient with a closed head injury who has an intracranial pressure of 35 (normal <20) and serum osmolality of 330 mOsm/kg. The nurse would anticipate which action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic used to reduce intracranial pressure (ICP) by drawing fluid out of the brain tissue. However, it should be used cautiously in patients with elevated serum osmolality, as it can exacerbate hyperosmolality and lead to renal failure or other complications. In this case, the patient's serum osmolality is already high (330 mOsm/kg), so mannitol should be withheld, and other measures to reduce ICP, such as elevating the head of the bed, maintaining proper oxygenation, and avoiding hypercapnia, should be prioritized. Sodium nitroprusside (C) is used for hypertension, not ICP, and taking no action (D) is inappropriate given the elevated ICP.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is teaching a patient about taking aspirin. Which are important points to include? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Aspirin is an antiplatelet agent that can increase the risk of bleeding, especially when combined with alcohol or during invasive procedures like dental work or surgery. Patients should avoid alcohol to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Additionally, informing healthcare providers about aspirin use is crucial to prevent excessive bleeding during procedures. Taking aspirin on an empty stomach is not recommended, as it can increase the risk of gastric irritation. Therefore, the correct teaching points are to avoid alcohol, inform the dentist, and inform the surgeon about aspirin use.