ATI RN
Pharmacology ATI Quizlet Questions
Question 1 of 9
Before administering a nonselective adrenergic blocker, what should the nurse assess?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Monitor vital signs and assess cardiovascular status including pulse, blood pressure, and cardiac output to evaluate for possible cardiac effects. Although assessment of bowel sounds, appetite, serum albumin level, or serum sodium and potassium levels may be important to patient care, they are not related to administration of a nonselective adrenergic blocking agent. The nurse should prioritize cardiovascular assessments to ensure patient safety.
Question 2 of 9
The home health nurse notes that the elderly patient doubled up on his pain medication, even though the prescribed dose was at a therapeutic level. The patient says, 'If one pill is good, two pills are better.' Which statement best describes the result of the patient's action?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Doubling a therapeutic dose exceeds the plateau-efficacy maxes out, but side effects (e.g., sedation) rise with excess, especially in the elderly with slower clearance. Tolerance needs chronic use, not one event. More relief assumes linear gain, not true. Tolerance requiring more is future, not immediate. Side effects reflect pharmacodynamics, a key risk.
Question 3 of 9
When reviewing the health history of a patient, the nurse will note that a potential contraindication to potassium supplements exists if the patient has which problem?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Potassium supplements are contraindicated in patients with renal disease because impaired kidney function can lead to the inability to adequately excrete potassium. This can result in potentially dangerous hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) in the bloodstream, which can cause serious cardiac dysrhythmias. Therefore, patients with renal disease should be cautious when taking potassium supplements or may need to avoid them altogether to prevent complications.
Question 4 of 9
What is a side effect for Phenytoin?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Phenytoin is an antiepileptic medication that is used to control seizures. One of the common side effects of phenytoin is the development of tremors, which are involuntary shaking movements of the body. Patients taking phenytoin may experience tremors as a result of the medication's effects on the central nervous system. It is important for healthcare providers to monitor patients taking phenytoin for the development of tremors and manage them accordingly.
Question 5 of 9
An infant is prescribed nystatin (Mycostatin) for treatment of infant oral candidiasis, or thrush. Which information should the nurse provide to the infant's caregiver in regard to this medication?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nystatin treats infant thrush, often linked to maternal Candida transmission during breastfeeding. The key instruction 'The breastfeeding mother may also require treatment' prevents reinfection (correct answers: 3, 5), addressing the cycle comprehensively. Before feeding reduces efficacy as milk washes it away. Water dilutes the dose unnecessarily. Cotton swab application ensures coverage but isn't the priority over maternal treatment. Choice D ensures long-term success, critical for caregiver education and infection control.
Question 6 of 9
A client is prescribed levothyroxine (Synthroid) for hypothyroidism. When is the best time for the nurse to instruct the client to take this medication?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine replaces thyroid hormone, requiring optimal absorption for efficacy. Taking it on an empty stomach in the morning avoids interference from food (e.g., calcium, iron), which reduces uptake, ensuring consistent T4 levels. With breakfast or dinner , absorption drops due to dietary interactions, risking subtherapeutic effects. At bedtime is viable but less ideal if food was recent, and morning aligns with circadian thyroid function. This timing leverages levothyroxine's pharmacokinetics'long half-life but sensitivity to gut contents'maximizing bioavailability. Instructing this prevents treatment failure in hypothyroidism, where precise dosing matters, making C the best time for administration and client education.
Question 7 of 9
The nurse is reviewing the orders for a patient and notes a new order for an angiotensin-
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, a type of angiotensin inhibitor, may have a serious interaction with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This interaction can potentially reduce the effectiveness of the ACE inhibitor in lowering blood pressure and may cause kidney damage in susceptible individuals. Therefore, it is crucial for the nurse to be aware of this potential drug interaction and to monitor the patient for any signs of adverse effects when these two drug classes are used together.
Question 8 of 9
A 64-year-old alcoholic man who has not had access to alcohol for days is brought to the hospital by family. He is extremely agitated and reports seeing spiders on the walls that he wants to kill. His temperature is 39°C, pulse is 96 beats/minute, and blood pressure is 152/88 mm Hg. He is given a benzodiazepine, which mimics the effects of alcohol on his brain. Which of the following types of receptor to benzodiazepines is acted upon?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal (hallucinations, agitation) is treated with benzodiazepines, acting on GABA-A ion channels . They enhance chloride influx, mimicking alcohol's calming effect. Options , , are fictional. Transcription factor (E) is unrelated. This mechanism stabilizes his withdrawal symptoms.
Question 9 of 9
A 59-year-old man with hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, AIDS, seizure disorder, and depression is currently maintained on multiple medications, including propranolol. He does not have his medication list at his current office visit with his primary care physician. His blood pressure is 180/100 mm Hg. The patient states that he is taking all of his medications as scheduled. Which of the following drugs is the most likely explanation of this finding?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient's uncontrolled hypertension (180/100 mm Hg) despite propranolol, a β-blocker, suggests a drug interaction. Cimetidine , an H2 blocker, inhibits CYP2D6, but propranolol's metabolism is via CYP1A2/CYP2D6-effect is minimal. Fluoxetine and Paroxetine , SSRIs, also inhibit CYP2D6, but their impact on propranolol is less significant. Rifampin induces CYP enzymes, reducing propranolol levels, but isn't listed as likely. Ritonavir (E), a protease inhibitor for AIDS, potently inhibits CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, increasing propranolol levels, yet here it paradoxically fails to control BP, possibly due to complex polypharmacy or adherence issues. Ritonavir's interaction is most likely given his AIDS treatment, affecting propranolol's efficacy or metabolism, leading to this outcome.