ATI RN
Advanced Pharmacology Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
Enteric coated acetylsalicylic acid has been prescribed for a patient to treat chronic arthritis. The patient calls the clinic nurse because of gagging and difficulty swallowing the tablets. What response would the nurse give to the patient?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Enteric-coated tablets should not be crushed or opened, as this disrupts their protective coating and can cause gastric irritation. The patient should be instructed to swallow the tablets whole with plenty of water or milk. Crushing (A) or opening the tablets (C) is inappropriate. Notifying the healthcare provider (B) may be necessary if the patient cannot tolerate the medication.
Question 2 of 5
Which of the following 'overdoses' is most commonly associated with respiratory alkalosis, but when more severe a metabolic acidosis?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Overdose toxicities differ in acid-base effects. Methanol causes metabolic acidosis via formic acid, not respiratory alkalosis. Lead poisoning leads to anemia or neurologic issues, rarely acid-base shifts. Paracetamol overdose induces lactic acidosis from liver failure, not respiratory changes initially. Salicylate (e.g., aspirin) overdose stimulates the respiratory center early, causing hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis (low pCO2), but severe cases add metabolic acidosis (high anion gap) from uncoupled oxidative phosphorylation and lactic acid buildup. Codeine, an opioid, depresses respiration, causing acidosis, not alkalosis. Salicylate's dual pattern is distinctive, requiring urgent recognition—initial alkalosis shifts to acidosis as toxicity worsens, guiding bicarbonate or dialysis treatment.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is providing administration instruction to the wife of a client going home on intermittent enteral nutrition. Which information should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cleaning equipment between each enteral feeding is vital to prevent bacterial contamination, as residual formula can foster microbial growth, risking infections like gastroenteritis in a client already nutritionally compromised. While limiting hang time is important, evidence suggests a 4-hour maximum, not 8, to minimize spoilage-though this isn't the focus here. Refrigerating unused feeding preserves its integrity, preventing degradation or bacterial proliferation, which is critical for safety. Keeping the insertion site clean reduces infection risk at the tube entry, a common complication in enteral therapy. Cleaning equipment stands out as a proactive step the wife can take between feedings, directly impacting hygiene and client safety, whereas other points address storage or site care, which, while essential, are secondary to the immediate post-feeding action of equipment maintenance in this context.
Question 4 of 5
An overwhelmed nursing student asks the instructor whether there are any tips that will make learning pharmacology easier. The instructor gives an example of the anticoagulant heparin. The instructor indicates that knowing heparin and comparing other drugs to it will facilitate learning the many anticoagulants. Which approach is the instructor using?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The prototype approach uses a representative drug like heparin to learn a class (anticoagulants), comparing others to its traits-mechanism, effects, side effects-simplifying study. Mechanism of action is narrower. Generic or trade names focus on nomenclature, not learning strategy. Prototype leverages a familiar example, a proven method for mastering drug groups.
Question 5 of 5
The pregnant patient tells the nurse that her prescribed medication is not as effective as it was before her pregnancy. What is the best response by the nurse?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pregnancy increases blood volume (50% more), diluting drugs, reducing efficacy-e.g., lower concentration per unit volume, a pharmacokinetic shift. Asking about administration checks adherence, not cause. Baby receiving drug is unlikely-placental transfer varies. Expiration is a guess, not tied to pregnancy. Blood volume explains the change, addressing her concern.