ATI RN
Pharmacology ATI Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client receiving gentamicin (Garamycin) IV. Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for most closely?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside, treats severe infections but is ototoxic, risking hearing loss via cochlear damage, a serious, potentially irreversible effect. The nurse must monitor closely (e.g., assess for tinnitus, vertigo) to catch it early, prompting discontinuation. Rash suggests allergy but is less frequent and manageable. Nausea and diarrhea occur but are transient and less critical than auditory damage. Gentamicin's narrow therapeutic index and accumulation in inner ear tissues make ototoxicity the priority, especially with IV dosing where levels peak. Early detection prevents permanent disability, aligning with vigilant nursing care for nephrotoxic and ototoxic drugs, making C the adverse effect to watch most closely.
Question 2 of 5
Amoxicillin is prescribed for a patient who has a respiratory infection. The nurse is teaching the patient about this medication and realizes that more teaching is needed when the patient makes which statement?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that is generally well-absorbed with or without food, but taking it with food can help reduce gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea. The statement 'This medication should not be taken with food' indicates a misunderstanding, as food does not significantly impair its absorption. The other statements are correct: completing the prescription prevents antibiotic resistance, reporting genital itching is important for identifying potential yeast infections, and excess bleeding could indicate a rare but serious side effect like thrombocytopenia.
Question 3 of 5
Local anaesthetic agents:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Local anesthetics (e.g., lidocaine) block sodium channels, not potassium, halting depolarization, so that's false. They prevent depolarization, not repolarization, making that false. Vasoconstrictors (e.g., epinephrine) prolong action, not vasodilators, which shorten it, so that's incorrect. High extracellular potassium enhances activity by depolarizing membranes closer to threshold, a true statement. High calcium reduces efficacy by stabilizing membranes. The potassium effect is a subtle but real modulator of anesthetic potency, relevant in tissue conditions.
Question 4 of 5
A client with juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma who is receiving dexamethasone (Decadron) 4mg/IV
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma is a type of brain tumor that can cause neurological symptoms such as changes in cognition and personality. A sudden change in the client no longer recognizing a family member could indicate a worsening of the tumor or potential complications from the treatment with dexamethasone. This change in cognition should raise immediate concern for the nurse as it may signal a decline in the client's neurological status requiring prompt assessment and intervention. The other options are also important to monitor, but the change in cognition is the most concerning as it suggests a more immediate and potentially serious issue.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse administers a vaccine to a child. What is the best understanding of the nurse as it relates to the manufacture of this vaccine?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vaccines are typically produced using animal cells (e.g., eggs) or microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, yeast) to grow antigens, mimicking natural pathogen processes for immunity. Plant extracts aren't standard-most use biological systems. Combination products are rare; animal/microbial methods dominate. Lab synthesis applies to small molecules, not complex vaccines. This understanding reflects standard bioprocessing, ensuring effective immune response.