ATI RN
ATI Pharmacology Proctored Exam 2019 Quizlet Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse administers IV morphine to a postoperative client. Which parameter should the nurse assess first after administration?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine, an opioid, relieves pain but depresses respiration via mu-receptor agonism. Assessing respiratory rate first detects early depression (e.g., <12 bpm), a life-threatening risk requiring immediate action (e.g., naloxone). Pain level gauges efficacy but follows safety. Blood pressure and pulse may drop, but respiratory compromise is morphine's primary danger post-op, where patients are vulnerable. Prioritizing breathing aligns with ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) and morphine's pharmacology, ensuring oxygenation before comfort. This sequence prevents overdose escalation, making B the first parameter to assess after administration.
Question 2 of 5
The patient has a potassium level of 5.9 mEq/L. The nurse is administering glucose and insulin. The patient's wife says, 'He doesn't have diabetes, why is he getting insulin?' What is the best response by the nurse?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium 5.9 mEq/L) is treated emergently with glucose and insulin, which drive potassium into cells, temporarily lowering serum levels . Insulin facilitates this shift by enhancing cellular uptake, paired with glucose to prevent hypoglycemia—accurate and clear for the wife. Choice B misstates that potassium is excreted via blood sugar; it's redistributed, not eliminated. Choice C compares insulin to Kayexalate (which binds potassium in the gut), but safety isn't the primary rationale. Choice D incorrectly suggests renal excretion, which isn't insulin's role (diuretics or dialysis do that). Choice A explains the mechanism correctly, addressing the wife's confusion with scientific clarity.
Question 3 of 5
Gold salt toxicity can be reversed using which medication?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dimercaprol is a chelating agent used to treat heavy metal toxicity, including gold salt toxicity. It binds to the gold ions, forming a complex that can be excreted from the body. Acetaminophen, calcium salts, and hydroxocobalamin are not used for this purpose. Prompt administration of dimercaprol is essential to prevent severe complications of gold salt toxicity.
Question 4 of 5
A female client who has a history of seizures went to a healthcare facility to ask the nurse regarding the use of birth control pills while on phenytoin therapy. The nurse correctly states to the client that:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Phenytoin induces liver enzymes that increase the metabolism of oral contraceptives, reducing their effectiveness. This increases the risk of unintended pregnancy. Pregnancy is not prohibited, but effective contraception is essential. Discontinuing phenytoin is not recommended without medical advice. Therefore, the nurse should inform the client about the decreased effectiveness of birth control pills.
Question 5 of 5
A 39-year-old man is a chronic alcoholic and is in and out of a rehabilitation center on a monthly basis. His physician administers a blocker of aldehyde dehydrogenase and the patient becomes violently ill with nausea, vomiting, chills, sweats, and hyperventilation. The same reaction occurs 1 week later after medication administration and was felt to be intolerable by the patient. Which of the following is the next best course of action to take?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient's severe reaction to disulfiram (aldehyde dehydrogenase blocker) suggests alcohol exposure, making it intolerable. Option continues the issue. Option intentionally triggers the reaction, unethical. Option , discontinuing disulfiram and starting naltrexone, is correct-naltrexone reduces alcohol cravings via opioid receptor antagonism, offering a safer alternative. Option , alprazolam, treats anxiety but not alcoholism. Option (E), psychotherapy, lacks immediate pharmacotherapy. Naltrexone addresses the root addiction without aversive effects, aligning with the patient's intolerance and chronic relapse pattern.