ATI RN
Pharmacology Practice Exam A ATI Questions
Question 1 of 9
Before administering Digoxin, the nurse should complete which task?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Before administering Digoxin, it is crucial for the nurse to count the patient's apical pulse for 1 minute. Digoxin is a medication commonly prescribed to manage heart conditions such as heart failure and certain irregular heartbeats. Since Digoxin works by helping the heart beat stronger and at a more normal rhythm, it is essential to monitor the patient's heart rate before administering the medication. Counting the apical pulse for 1 minute allows for an accurate assessment of the patient's baseline heart rate, which is crucial in determining whether it is safe to administer Digoxin. If the heart rate is too low (bradycardia), administering Digoxin could potentially cause further complications. Therefore, assessing the apical pulse beforehand is a critical step in ensuring the safe administration of Digoxin.
Question 2 of 9
A patient who reports severe seasonal allergies has been prescribed fluticasone (Flonase). The nurse providing medication information would collaborate with the prescriber if the patient makes which statement?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fluticasone, a corticosteroid, is contraindicated with active infections (e.g., viral colds) due to immunosuppression risks . 'My kids have a head cold' suggests exposure, prompting nurse-prescriber collaboration to assess infection status. Licorice , psoriasis , and fruit don't contraindicate use. Choice B prioritizes safety, avoiding exacerbation of undetected infection.
Question 3 of 9
Which of the following best describes H1 receptor antagonist:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: H1 receptor antagonists are primarily used for the treatment and prevention of allergic reactions. They work by blocking the H1 receptors, which are responsible for mediating allergic responses such as itching, swelling, and inflammation. This action helps to alleviate symptoms of allergies like sneezing, itching, and runny nose.
Question 4 of 9
Which of the following procedures does NOT result in local analgesia:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Increasing the temperature does not result in local analgesia. In fact, higher temperatures can often lead to increased pain sensitivity. Local analgesia is achieved through methods such as chemically or physically damaging nerve trunks, stimulating large fiber nerve activity, or rendering tissue anemic. These procedures work by interrupting the transmission of pain signals to the brain or by reducing the sensitivity of local nerve endings to pain stimuli.
Question 5 of 9
The nurse is performing a health history on a patient who is ordered to begin therapy with valproic
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Valproic acid is metabolized in the liver, and patients with liver disease may have impaired liver function, which can lead to reduced metabolism of the drug and potential toxicity. Therefore, a patient with a history of liver disease starting therapy with valproic acid would be a cause for concern for the nurse. Monitoring of liver function tests would be crucial in this patient population to ensure the medication is being safely metabolized.
Question 6 of 9
The client has been prescribed the opioid combination drug Novahistine DM for control of cough. This drug contains codeine, phenylephrine, and chlorpheniramine. Which instructions should the nurse provide as part of medication education?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Novahistine DM's codeine and chlorpheniramine cause sedation , requiring safety instructions (correct answers: 3, 4, 5). Water and bedside are less critical. D prevents harm, making it key.
Question 7 of 9
The following drugs are effectively administered via the sublingual route:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Glyceryl trinitrate is well-absorbed sublingually due to bypassing the first-pass metabolism, providing rapid relief for angina by dilating blood vessels.
Question 8 of 9
The nurse has completed medication education for the anxious patient who is receiving buspirone (BuSpar). The nurse determines that the patient needs additional instruction when the patient makes which statement?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Buspirone requires regular dosing-weeks-to reduce anxiety via serotonin modulation, not PRN like benzos, per pharmacology. Dizziness, headache, drowsiness are true side effects. Regular use is needed for effect. It's non-addictive, unlike benzos. PRN use misstates its action, needing correction.
Question 9 of 9
Which one of the following is an established clinical use of morphine?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Morphine, a potent opioid analgesic, is primarily used to manage moderate to severe pain, but its established clinical applications extend beyond analgesia. One well-documented use is in treating pulmonary congestion, particularly in acute pulmonary edema associated with heart failure. Morphine reduces preload by causing vasodilation, alleviating dyspnea and anxiety in these patients, though the exact mechanism is multifaceted and includes central effects on respiration. Managing generalized anxiety disorders is not a standard use, as anxiolytics like benzodiazepines are preferred. While morphine can relieve pain, its use in biliary colic is contraindicated because it causes sphincter of Oddi constriction, potentially worsening the condition. It is not a treatment for ACE inhibitor-induced cough, which is better managed with antitussives or drug discontinuation. Suppression of ethanol withdrawal is also not an established role, as benzodiazepines are the standard. Thus, pulmonary congestion stands out as a recognized therapeutic use.