ATI RN
ATI Pharmacology Made Easy 4.0 Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which drug is most useful to prevent and treat cerumen impaction?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used to soften and remove cerumen (earwax) impaction due to its effervescent properties, which help break down the wax. Rubbing alcohol (B) is used for drying the ear canal but is not effective for cerumen impaction. Charcoal (C) and clove oil (D) are not used for this purpose.
Question 2 of 5
Which of the following adverse effects is associated with levothyroxine (Synthroid) therapy?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine (Synthroid) is a synthetic thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism. Overdose or excessive dosing can lead to symptoms of hyperthyroidism, including tachycardia (rapid heart rate), palpitations, and anxiety. Hypotension and bradycardia are not typical adverse effects of levothyroxine. Constipation is more commonly associated with hypothyroidism, not its treatment. Therefore, tachycardia is the correct answer as it reflects the potential for overstimulation of the cardiovascular system due to excessive thyroid hormone levels.
Question 3 of 5
Digoxin has a half-life of approximately 40 hours if renal function is normal. How long will it take to reach >90 per cent of the steady state plasma concentration?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Steady-state concentration is reached after 4-5 half-lives, when drug input equals output. Digoxin's half-life is 40 hours (1.67 days). Four half-lives is 4 × 40 = 160 hours (6.67 days), and five is 200 hours (8.33 days). Over 90% steady state occurs around 4 half-lives, roughly 6-7 days. Two days (48 hours) is only ~1.2 half-lives, far too short. Ten days (~6 half-lives) exceeds 90%, but 7 days (~4.2 half-lives) aligns with >90% (e.g., 94% at 4 half-lives). Fourteen or 18 days overshoot unnecessarily. Seven days balances precision and practicality, guiding digoxin dosing timelines in heart failure or arrhythmias.
Question 4 of 5
Volume of distribution:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Volume of distribution (Vd) is a pharmacokinetic parameter reflecting the extent a drug distributes into body tissues relative to plasma. It's not always a real volume, as it can exceed total body water (e.g., for lipophilic drugs), making that statement false. The second option is nonsensical due to unclear phrasing, but likely intends a ratio that's incorrectly stated. The third option reverses the correct formula and is also gibberish. The accurate definition is the amount of drug in the body divided by its concentration in plasma (Vd = Dose / Cp), which quantifies how widely a drug disperses. This isn't about area under the curve (AUC) or dose, as some might confuse with clearance. Understanding Vd is crucial for dosing adjustments, especially for drugs with high tissue affinity, where a large Vd indicates extensive distribution beyond plasma, impacting therapeutic strategies.
Question 5 of 5
A client has benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hypertension. Which medication could the client safely receive for hypertension?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Terazosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic blocker, treats both hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by relaxing smooth muscle in blood vessels and the prostate, lowering blood pressure and easing urinary symptoms. Sildenafil, used for erectile dysfunction, doesn't address hypertension or BPH and may cause hypotension, making it unsuitable here. Finasteride, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, shrinks the prostate for BPH but has no effect on blood pressure, missing the dual need. Tamsulosin, another alpha-1 blocker, relieves BPH symptoms but isn't typically used for routine hypertension management and risks severe hypotension. Terazosin's dual action makes it uniquely safe and effective, addressing both conditions without exacerbating either, unlike the others, which lack hypertensive benefits or pose risks in this context.