ATI RN
ATI Pharmacology Book Questions
Question 1 of 5
The patient is complaining of a severe headache. The physician orders aspirin. Which action by the nurse will result in the fastest relief of the patient's headache?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Aspirin on an empty stomach absorbs fastest, speeding headache relief by avoiding food delays-fatty meals like peanut butter slow gastric emptying, reducing onset. Alkaline foods may alter pH but don't hasten absorption significantly. Enteric-coated forms delay release for GI protection, not speed. Empty stomach delivery maximizes bioavailability quickly, aligning with pain relief urgency.
Question 2 of 5
A 17-year-old man is brought to the emergency department with severe right lower quadrant pain that he first felt around his umbilicus. His white blood cell count is 12,000/μL of blood. He is taken to the operating room for emergent laparoscopic appendectomy. About an hour into the surgery, his body temperature spikes and CO2 production rises uncontrollably. What is the next step in the treatment of this patient?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fever and CO2 rise during surgery suggest malignant hyperthermia (MH). Dantrolene , a ryanodine receptor antagonist, halts MH by blocking calcium release. Acetaminophen reduces fever but not MH. Bromocriptine treats neuroleptic syndrome. Diazepam and Naproxen (E) are irrelevant. Dantrolene's specificity saves lives in this surgical emergency.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse completes medication education for the client receiving antihistamines. The nurse evaluates that learning has occurred when the client makes which statement?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: First-generation antihistamines cause sedation. 'This medication could make me very sleepy' shows understanding, indicating effective education. Alcohol worsens sedation. Fluids aren't key. OTC doesn't mean safe. D ensures safety awareness, making it the best statement.
Question 4 of 5
This salicylate is less effective than aspirin, but may be used in patients allergic to aspirin :
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Salicylamide is a salicylate compound that is less effective than aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) in terms of anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. However, salicylamide can be used as an alternative in patients who are allergic to aspirin. It is often better tolerated by individuals with hypersensitivity to aspirin. Sodium salicylate, methyl salicylate, diflunisal, and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) do not specifically have an advantage in patients allergic to aspirin compared to salicylamide.
Question 5 of 5
A patient has had recent mechanical heart valve surgery and is receiving anticoagulant therapy. While monitoring the patient™s laboratory work, the nurse interprets that the patient™s international normalized ratio (INR) level of 3 indicates that:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An international normalized ratio (INR) level of 3 indicates that the patient's warfarin dose is within the therapeutic range for anticoagulation. In patients with mechanical heart valves, the target INR range is usually higher (around 2.5 to 3.5) to prevent thrombus formation on the prosthetic valve. An INR of 3 demonstrates that the anticoagulant effect of warfarin is at an appropriate level to reduce the risk of blood clots while minimizing the risk of bleeding complications. If the INR level was subtherapeutic (below the target range), it would indicate that the patient is not receiving enough warfarin to achieve the desired anticoagulant effect.