ATI RN
Pharmacology ATI Proctored Exam 2024 Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse administers an adrenergic blocking agent in order to prevent release of what neurotransmitter?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adrenergic blocking agents prevent norepinephrine from being released from the adrenal medulla or from the nerve terminal from activating the receptor, which blocks sympathetic nervous system effects. Epinephrine, serotonin, and GABA are not associated with this process. Norepinephrine is the primary neurotransmitter targeted by these agents, as it plays a key role in the sympathetic nervous system's fight-or-flight response.
Question 2 of 5
When the nurse is reviewing a list of medications taken by an 88-year-old patient, the patient says, 'I get dizzy when I stand up.' She also states that she has nearly fainted 'a time or two' in the afternoons. Her systolic blood pressure drops 15 points when she stands up. Which type of medication may be responsible for these effects?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension, characterized by dizziness and a drop in blood pressure upon standing, is a common side effect of antihypertensive medications. These medications lower blood pressure, which can lead to reduced cerebral perfusion and dizziness when the patient changes positions. NSAIDs, cardiac glycosides, and anticoagulants are less likely to cause orthostatic hypotension. Therefore, the nurse should consider antihypertensive medications as the most likely cause of the patient's symptoms and assess the need for dosage adjustments or alternative treatments.
Question 3 of 5
Dr. Rodriguez orders 250 milliliters of packed red blood cells (RBC) for a patient. This therapy is administered for the treatment of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Packed red blood cells (RBCs) are used to treat anemia, a condition characterized by a low red blood cell count or hemoglobin level. Anemia can result from blood loss, chronic disease, or nutritional deficiencies. Thrombocytopenia and leukopenia involve low platelet and white blood cell counts, respectively, and are not treated with RBC transfusions. Hypoalbuminemia involves low albumin levels and requires albumin infusions, not RBCs. Therefore, anemia is the correct indication for this therapy.
Question 4 of 5
Carbidopa when combined with levodopa:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Carbidopa enhances levodopa in Parkinson's. It inhibits peripheral (not cerebral) dopa decarboxylase, reducing levodopa breakdown outside the brain, allowing more to cross the blood-brain barrier. This reduces peripheral dopamine, minimizing nausea and hypotension, permitting lower levodopa doses, a true statement. It's compatible with warfarin, doesn't delay bradykinesia improvement (enhances onset), and doesn't abolish on-off effects (related to disease progression). Reduced side effects improve tolerability, a key therapeutic strategy.
Question 5 of 5
Regarding NSAIDS:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: At high doses, aspirin shifts to zero-order kinetics, not first-order, due to saturated metabolism, so that's false. Aspirin irreversibly inhibits COX, not reversibly, distinguishing it from other NSAIDs, making that false. At low doses (≤2 g/day), aspirin retains uric acid, not reduces it (uricosuric at >4 g/day), so that's incorrect. All NSAIDs, including aspirin and ibuprofen, distribute into synovial fluid with repeated dosing, a true statement, aiding arthritis treatment. Combining ibuprofen and aspirin reduces, not increases, efficacy due to competition. Synovial penetration is key to their anti-inflammatory action in joints.