ATI RN
ATI Pharmacology Practice Exam B Questions
Question 1 of 9
The pharmacological property of aspirin comes from its ability to inhibit the synthesis of :
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aspirin exerts its pharmacological effects by inhibiting the synthesis of eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are signaling molecules that play a key role in inflammation, pain, and fever. Specifically, aspirin inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which is crucial for the production of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid. By blocking COX, aspirin reduces the formation of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins, ultimately leading to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. This mechanism also accounts for aspirin's ability to inhibit platelet aggregation, which is why it is commonly used as an antithrombotic agent.
Question 2 of 9
For a drug that obeys first-order (linear) kinetics and fits a one-compartment model for elimination:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For first-order kinetics, the rate of elimination is directly proportional to plasma drug concentration, ensuring constant percentage clearance over time.
Question 3 of 9
A mother asks the nurse when she should give her child cough medicine. What is the best response by the nurse?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cough medicines, like dextromethorphan, suppress nonproductive (dry) coughs to aid rest, especially when sleep is disrupted . This targets symptomatic relief appropriately, avoiding overuse. Green secretions suggest infection, where suppressing cough could hinder clearance, requiring medical evaluation instead. Fever over 102°F indicates illness severity, not a cue for cough medicine alone. Bronchitis often involves productive cough, where suppressants are less suitable. The nurse's best response (D) aligns with cough suppressants' purpose—relieving dry, disruptive coughs—ensuring safe, targeted use for the child's comfort.
Question 4 of 9
Which location is the area where the highest percentage of sodium and water are resorbed back into the bloodstream?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The highest percentage of sodium and water resorption back into the bloodstream occurs in the proximal tubule of the nephron. The proximal tubule is responsible for reabsorbing about 65-75% of the filtered sodium and water, along with various other solutes. It has a high density of microvilli, which increases its surface area for efficient reabsorption. Additionally, the proximal tubule plays a vital role in maintaining the body's fluid and electrolyte balance by reclaiming essential substances from the filtrate before it moves further along the nephron.
Question 5 of 9
An 18-year-old woman presents to her primary care physician after experiencing a one-sided headache for the fourth time in the last 2 years. Her headaches have all been similar in nature. She says the pain is worst right behind her eye and that she feels nauseous and cannot stand bright lights or loud noises while she is having a headache. The physician prescribes sumatriptan. What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Migraine symptoms (unilateral pain, photophobia, nausea) respond to sumatriptan, a 5-HT1B/1D agonist. Option , blocking serotonin-mediated nociceptive signaling, is correct-sumatriptan constricts cranial vessels and inhibits trigeminal pain pathways. Option , COX blockade, is NSAIDs' mechanism. Option , prostaglandin synthesis, is similar. Options and (E), opioid receptor stimulation, are unrelated. Sumatriptan's serotonin action targets migraine-specific pathophysiology, relieving this patient's symptoms.
Question 6 of 9
A 31-year-old woman smoker expresses a desire to quit smoking. She has a 10 pack-year history of smoking but no other health issues. She wants to try varenicline, a drug she recently heard about, to help her quit. Which of the following side effects of varenicline is she most likely to encounter?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Varenicline, a nicotinic receptor partial agonist, aids smoking cessation. Abnormal dreams are common, reflecting CNS effects. Gastric ulcers , pancreatitis , photosensitivity , and seizures (E) are rare. Dreams align with its neuropsychiatric profile, a key counseling point.
Question 7 of 9
Regarding diazepam:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diazepam, a benzodiazepine, has active metabolites (e.g., desmethyldiazepam) with longer half-lives, contributing to its effects, so that's false. Activated charcoal is effective in overdose by adsorbing diazepam, reducing absorption, a true statement and standard intervention. It undergoes minimal, not extensive, enterohepatic recirculation, making that false. It's a GABA agonist, enhancing chloride influx via benzodiazepine receptors, not an antagonist, so that's incorrect. It also inhibits spinal reflexes, aiding muscle relaxation. The overdose utility of charcoal highlights its role in emergency management, binding unabsorbed drug in the gut, a key pharmacokinetic intervention distinct from flumazenil reversal.
Question 8 of 9
A drug that has both affinity and intrinsic activity
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A drug that has both affinity and intrinsic activity is known as a partial agonist. Affinity refers to the drug's ability to bind to a receptor, while intrinsic activity is the drug's ability to activate the receptor and produce a response. A partial agonist binds to the receptor with affinity but only activates the receptor to a partial extent compared to a full agonist. This results in a less potent response compared to a full agonist but also blocks the full agonist's effects, making it act as an antagonist in the presence of a full agonist. In summary, a drug that has both affinity and intrinsic activity is classified as a partial agonist because it binds to the receptor and activates it but to a lesser extent than a full agonist.
Question 9 of 9
Diazepam (Valium) is prescribed to a client with alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following statements made by the client indicates an understanding of the treatment regimen?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The statement "I'll have my physician lower my dosage once I start to feel okay" indicates an understanding of the treatment regimen because Diazepam is typically used as a short-term treatment for alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Once the client starts to feel okay, it is important to gradually taper off the medication under the guidance of a healthcare provider to prevent withdrawal symptoms. This demonstrates the client's understanding of the appropriate course of treatment and the need for medical supervision throughout the process.