ATI RN
Pharmacology of Cardiovascular Drugs Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which question would be most appropriate for the nurse to ask a patient with depression who is experiencing nausea, palpitations, and “a terrible headache and chest pain” after physical examination reveals elevated blood pressure and temperature, dilated pupils, flushed head and face, and diaphoresis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: This question requires analytical decision making to identify hypertensive crises and data for the evaluation process. Knowing when the last dose of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) was taken helps determine immediate treatment. Although the ingestion of alcohol is pertinent to determining what tyramine-containing foods the patient may have had, it is not as crucial as knowing when the last dose of MAOI was consumed. Although natural foods may produce similar bioactivity and other antidepressants should not be taken along with an MAOI, these answers do not reflect medication assessment and evaluation. The patient is experiencing the clinical manifestation of hypertensive crisis. The classic symptoms of this condition are severe occipital headache, dilated pupils, hypertension, and palpitations or arrhythmias. This syndrome can be caused when the patient who is taking an MAOI ingests food containing tyramine, an amino acid released from foods that undergo hydrolysis (e.g., fermentation, aging, pickling, smoking, spoilage). This inhibits the monoamine oxidase and allows tyramine to reach the adrenergic nerve endings and cause the release of excess norepinephrine, which causes hypertensive crisis. To confirm the physical syndrome, first determine whether the patient is taking an MAOI. Knowing when the last dose was ingested provides a window for the duration of hypertension and therapeutic nursing interventions.
Question 2 of 5
A patient is receiving instructions regarding the use of caffeine. The nurse shares that caffeine should be used with caution if which of these conditions is present?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 3 of 5
A patient about to receive a morning dose of digoxin has an apical pulse of 53 beats/minute. What will the nurse do next?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 4 of 5
Furosemide (Lasix) is prescribed for a patient who is about to be discharged, and the nurse provides instructions to the patient about the medication. Which statement by the nurse is correct?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 5 of 5
During drug therapy with epoetin alfa (Epogen), the nurse knows that therapy must be stopped if which laboratory result is noted?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When hemoglobin levels are above 12 g/dL and the epoetin alfa is continued, patients may experience serious adverse events, including heart attack, stroke, and death. Epoetin must not be given to patients with renal disorders unless their hemoglobin level is less than 12 g/dL. In cancer patients, the hemoglobin level needs to be less than 10 g/dL. The other options are incorrect.