ATI RN
Pharmacology Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving warfarin (Coumadin) and notes bruising and petechiae on the patient's extremities. The nurse will request an order for which laboratory test?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bruising and petechiae on a patient's extremities are signs of potential thrombocytopenia, which is a decrease in platelet count. Warfarin (Coumadin) is an anticoagulant that works by interfering with the body's ability to use vitamin K to form blood clots. While the International normalized ratio (INR) is often used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy, and PTT and aPTT may also be relevant in certain cases, the presence of bruising and petechiae suggest a potential issue with platelet levels. Therefore, checking the patient's platelet level with a laboratory test is appropriate in this situation to assess for thrombocytopenia.
Question 2 of 5
A patient asks the nurse for information about fat-soluble vitamins. What is the nurse's best response?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 3 of 5
The most common dose-limiting toxicity of chemotherapy is:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Myelosuppression, the suppression of bone marrow activity, is the most common dose-limiting toxicity of chemotherapy. It leads to reduced production of blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, increasing the risk of infections, anemia, and bleeding. While nausea, vomiting, and mucositis are significant side effects, they can often be managed with supportive care. Myelosuppression, however, can be life-threatening and frequently requires dose adjustments or delays in treatment. Bloody stools are less common and typically not the primary dose-limiting factor.
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following is the priority nursing diagnosis for a client undergoing chemotherapy?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Altered nutrition is often the priority nursing diagnosis for clients undergoing chemotherapy because the treatment can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and mucositis, leading to malnutrition and weight loss. Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining strength, supporting the immune system, and promoting recovery. While fear, anxiety, and decreased cardiac output are valid concerns, addressing nutritional deficits is critical to the client's overall well-being and ability to tolerate treatment.
Question 5 of 5
A 78-year-old man is admitted with deterioration of chronic heart failure. He is house-bound and has had three similar admissions in the past nine months. There is a history of ischaemic heart disease. His medication comprises furosemide, ramipril in full dose, valsartan, spironolactone, simvastatin and aspirin. He is dyspnoeic on minimal exertion, looks unwell, pulse 100/min regular, BP 90/70 mmHg, jugular venous pressure (JVP) is at 4 cm, gallop rhythm, chest clear, pretibial oedema. ECG shows sinus rhythm, an old inferior infarct and poor anterior R wave progression. Serum urea 15 mmol/L, creatinine 90 μmol/L, Na+ 140, K+ 4.6. Which of the following would be most appropriate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chronic heart failure (CHF) decompensation needs optimization. Morphine relieves acute dyspnea but not chronic management here. Hydralazine/isosorbide reduces afterload/preload, useful in advanced CHF, but less immediate. Carvedilol, a beta-blocker, risks decompensation with low BP. Metolazone, a potent diuretic, aids fluid overload but overlaps with furosemide. Digoxin improves contractility and rate control in sinus rhythm CHF, reducing hospitalizations, most appropriate given his recurrent admissions and stable renal function. Its inotropic benefit stabilizes this patient, enhancing quality of life.