ATI RN
Cardiovascular Drugs Nursing Pharmacology Questions
Question 1 of 5
Why do Moerman and Jonas critique the popular use of the phrase ‘placebo effect’?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: "Because the effectiveness of a placebo is not caused by the placebo itself but by cultural meanings surrounding treatment." Moerman and Jonas critique the popular use of the phrase 'placebo effect' because they argue that the term oversimplifies the complex interactions between a patient's beliefs, expectations, and the context of treatment. Option A is incorrect because while placebos may be less effective than actual drugs for certain conditions, the critique by Moerman and Jonas focuses on a deeper issue beyond mere comparative effectiveness. Option C is incorrect because the critique is not primarily about the ethical considerations of using placebos in clinical trials, although this is an important aspect of the placebo effect discussion. Option D is incorrect because while the concept of placebo effect can lead to confusion about correlation and causation, this is not the main focus of Moerman and Jonas' critique. Educationally, understanding the nuances of the placebo effect is crucial in pharmacology and healthcare. It highlights the importance of considering psychological and sociocultural factors in addition to pharmacological mechanisms when assessing treatment outcomes. It also emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to engage in open discussions with patients about treatment expectations and beliefs to optimize therapeutic outcomes.
Question 2 of 5
A client who has a parietal lobe injury is being evaluated for psychiatric rehabilitation needs. Of the aspects of functioning listed, which will the nurse identify as a focus of nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The parietal lobe is responsible for associating and processing sensory information that allows for functions such as following directions on a map, reading a clock, dressing self, keeping appointments, and distinguishing right from left. 1. Emotional expression is associated with frontal lobe function. 2. Detecting auditory stimuli is a temporal lobe function. 3. Receiving visual images is related to occipital lobe function.
Question 3 of 5
A 6-year-old boy has been started on an extended-release form of methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). During a follow-up visit, his mother tells the nurse that she has been giving the medication at bedtime so that it will be 'in his system' when he goes to school the next morning. What is the nurse’s appropriate evaluation of the mother’s actions?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D) The medication should be given 4 to 6 hours before bedtime to diminish insomnia. Methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) is a CNS stimulant that can cause insomnia as a side effect. By giving the medication at bedtime, the child may experience difficulty falling asleep or disrupted sleep patterns. Administering the medication earlier in the day allows for its effects to wear off by bedtime, reducing the risk of insomnia. Option A is incorrect because giving the medication at bedtime is not appropriate due to the risk of insomnia. Option B is incorrect as medication timing should be based on pharmacokinetics and individual patient needs, not on location. Option C is incorrect as methylphenidate can be taken with or without food, and meal timing does not significantly impact its absorption. In an educational context, it is crucial for healthcare providers to understand the pharmacokinetics and side effects of medications to ensure safe and effective treatment. Educating parents and caregivers on proper medication administration can improve treatment outcomes and minimize potential risks for pediatric patients with ADHD.
Question 4 of 5
While assessing a patient who is receiving intravenous digitalis, the nurse recognizes that the drug has a negative chronotropic effect. How would this drug effect be evident in the patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intravenous digitalis, such as digoxin, exerts a negative chronotropic effect by slowing down the heart rate. This is due to its action on the sinoatrial (SA) node, reducing the firing rate of the heart's natural pacemaker. This effect is evident in patients as a decreased heart rate, which is the correct answer (B). Option A, decreased blood pressure, is not directly related to the chronotropic effect of digitalis. While digitalis can indirectly impact blood pressure through its effects on cardiac output, the primary effect being tested in this question is the drug's chronotropic effect. Option C, decreased conduction, is more related to drugs affecting the conductivity of the heart's electrical system, such as antiarrhythmics, rather than digitalis, which primarily affects heart rate. Option D, decreased ectopic beats, is not a direct result of digitalis' negative chronotropic effect. Ectopic beats are abnormal heartbeats originating outside the SA node, and while digitalis can have antiarrhythmic properties, its primary chronotropic effect does not directly address ectopic beats. Understanding the effects of cardiovascular drugs, like digitalis, is crucial in nursing pharmacology to ensure safe and effective patient care. Nurses must be able to recognize and anticipate the specific impacts of medications on the cardiovascular system to monitor patients effectively and intervene if necessary.
Question 5 of 5
When monitoring a patient who is taking hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), the nurse notes that which drug is most likely to cause a severe interaction with the diuretic?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: There is an increased risk for digitalis toxicity in the presence of hypokalemia, which may develop with hydrochlorothiazide therapy. Potassium supplements are often prescribed with hydrochlorothiazide therapy to prevent hypokalemia. The other options do not have interactions with hydrochlorothiazide.