ATI RN
Pharmacology ATI Proctored Exam 2024 Questions
Question 1 of 5
The patient has been taking lorazepam (Ativan) for 2 years. The patient stopped this medication after a neighbor said the drug manufacturer's plant was contaminated with rat droppings. What best describes the nurse's assessment of the patient when seen 3 days after stopping his medication?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Abruptly stopping lorazepam, a benzo, after 2 years triggers withdrawal-tachycardia, fever, cramps-due to GABA downregulation, per pharmacology. It's not safe-dependence forms. Opioid-like symptoms (pupils, constipation) don't fit. Calmness contradicts withdrawal. These signs reflect cessation risk, needing taper.
Question 2 of 5
What is the therapeutic use of Albuterol?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a medication that belongs to the class of beta-2 adrenergic agonists, which are primarily used for bronchodilation. It works by relaxing the muscles in the airways, allowing them to widen and making breathing easier for individuals with conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory disorders. Albuterol helps to relieve symptoms of bronchospasm, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. It is commonly used as a rescue inhaler for quick relief of acute bronchospasm.
Question 3 of 5
A patient is receiving 10 mEq of potassium chloride in 100 mL of normal saline intravenously (IV) to infuse over 1 hour via infusion pump. The patient has a 22-gauge peripheral IV in his right forearm and reports pain at the insertion site; the nurse notes that the site is reddened, warm, and tender to the touch. Which action would the nurse take?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient's symptoms of pain, redness, warmth, and tenderness at the IV site indicate possible infiltration or phlebitis, which can lead to tissue damage or infection. The nurse should stop the infusion and discontinue the IV immediately to prevent further complications. Aspirating and slowing the rate (A) is inappropriate in this situation. Inserting a central line (B) is not the immediate priority. Applying warm compresses (D) may be done after discontinuing the IV, but it is not the first action.
Question 4 of 5
A client with HIV is prescribed zidovudine (Retrovir). Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Zidovudine, an antiretroviral, treats HIV but risks bone marrow suppression, causing anemia. Monitoring RBC count detects this, ensuring timely intervention (e.g., transfusion). Liver enzymes matter with other drugs. Potassium and glucose aren't primary concerns. RBC monitoring aligns with zidovudine's toxicity profile, critical in HIV where anemia impacts quality of life, making A the key value.
Question 5 of 5
A 16-year-old female was rescued from a house fire and transported to the emergency department. She has no serious burns but is beginning to show signs of cyanide toxicity. She is given sodium nitrite as an antidote. How will sodium nitrite help in this case?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cyanide toxicity from smoke inhalation blocks cytochrome oxidase. Sodium nitrite oxidizes hemoglobin iron to methemoglobin, which binds cyanide, reducing toxicity. Urine pH , chelation , inactivation , and enzyme regeneration (E) don't apply. This shifts cyanide away from mitochondria, aiding recovery.