ATI RN
Pharmacology Across the Lifespan ATI Quizlet Questions
Question 1 of 5
You were told that Tom, the radiology tech, called you regarding some lab value of your patient, Mr. Lee (89 years old). Tom is going to take Mr. Lee for CT scan. Which of the following lab value would Tom be most interested?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is B) Urine creatinine clearance. Tom, the radiology tech, would be most interested in this lab value because it provides crucial information about Mr. Lee's kidney function. As Mr. Lee is 89 years old, assessing his kidney function is important before undergoing a CT scan, as contrast dyes used in imaging procedures can potentially impact renal function. Urine creatinine clearance helps to estimate the glomerular filtration rate, indicating how well the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood. Option A) Serum potassium is important for assessing electrolyte balance but may not be the priority in this situation unless Mr. Lee has a known history of potassium imbalances. Option C) Hemoglobin is essential for evaluating oxygen-carrying capacity but is not directly related to Mr. Lee's readiness for a CT scan. Option D) Serum magnesium level is important for monitoring electrolyte balance, but it is not as crucial in this context compared to assessing kidney function before a procedure involving contrast dye. Understanding the importance of monitoring kidney function, especially in older adults undergoing imaging procedures, is vital for healthcare providers to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes. It highlights the significance of considering age-related physiological changes when interpreting lab values and making clinical decisions.
Question 2 of 5
A patient with diabetes reports losing their job and an inability to purchase required medications. Which action is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The most appropriate action in this scenario is to contact a different pharmacy (Option C). This choice is correct because it addresses the patient's immediate concern of being unable to afford their required medications due to job loss. By reaching out to a different pharmacy, the patient may have access to more affordable options, such as generic versions of their medications or assistance programs that the current pharmacy may not offer. Option A, providing a 7-day sample pack, may offer temporary relief but does not address the long-term issue of affordability. Decreasing the daily dose by half (Option B) could compromise the effectiveness of the treatment and potentially worsen the patient's condition. Prescribing a different medication (Option D) may not be necessary if the patient's current medication is effective and simply cost-prohibitive. In an educational context, this question highlights the importance of considering patients' socioeconomic factors in medication management. It emphasizes the role of healthcare providers in advocating for patients and exploring alternative solutions to ensure medication adherence and positive health outcomes, especially in cases of financial hardship. Healthcare professionals must be aware of resources available to assist patients in accessing affordable medications to provide holistic care.
Question 3 of 5
A patient claims to get better effects with a tablet of Brand X of a drug than with a tablet of Brand Y of the same drug. Both brands contain the same amount of the active ingredient. What does the nurse know to be most likely?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C) Tablets can differ in composition and can have differing rates of disintegration and dissolution, which can alter the drug’s effects in the body. This answer is correct because even though both Brand X and Brand Y contain the same amount of the active ingredient, other components in the tablets such as binders, fillers, and coatings can vary. These differences can affect how the tablet breaks down in the body, impacting the drug's absorption and ultimately its effectiveness. Option A is incorrect because it only addresses patient expectations and the placebo effect, which may play a role but do not directly address the differences in tablet composition. Option B is incorrect because it oversimplifies the situation by assuming that chemical equivalence guarantees identical effects, which is not always the case in pharmaceuticals. Option D is incorrect because although bioavailability is important, it doesn't directly address the variability in tablet composition that can impact drug effects. In an educational context, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to understand the factors that can influence drug efficacy, including variations in drug formulations. By recognizing how different tablet compositions can affect drug absorption and action, nurses can provide more personalized and effective care to their patients.
Question 4 of 5
Which groups of people are especially sensitive to medication effects?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A) Older adults because as individuals age, physiological changes occur that can affect how medications are metabolized and excreted from the body. Older adults often have decreased liver and kidney function, which can lead to a slower metabolism and clearance of drugs, resulting in an increased sensitivity to medication effects. Additionally, older adults may be taking multiple medications for various chronic conditions, increasing the risk of drug interactions and adverse effects. Option B) Caucasians, option C) Infants, and option D) Minorities are not as sensitive to medication effects as older adults. While individual variations in drug response exist across all populations, older adults are particularly vulnerable due to age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Infants also have unique considerations due to their immature organ systems, but the question specifically asks about sensitivity, which is more pronounced in older adults. Minorities do not inherently experience increased sensitivity to medication effects based on their racial or ethnic background. In an educational context, understanding the concept of sensitivity to medication effects is crucial for healthcare providers when caring for diverse patient populations. By recognizing that older adults are especially sensitive to medications, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals can take appropriate precautions such as adjusting dosages, monitoring for adverse reactions, and providing patient education to ensure safe and effective pharmacological treatment across the lifespan.
Question 5 of 5
A pregnant patient asks the nurse about the safe use of medications during the third trimester. What will the nurse tell her about drugs taken at this stage?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A) They may need to be given in higher doses if they undergo renal clearance. During the third trimester of pregnancy, physiological changes occur that can impact the pharmacokinetics of drugs in the body. Renal clearance, the process by which drugs are eliminated from the body through the kidneys, may increase during pregnancy due to the increased blood flow to the kidneys. This can result in a faster clearance of drugs, requiring higher doses to maintain therapeutic levels in the bloodstream. Option B is incorrect because drugs metabolized by the liver may actually require higher doses during pregnancy due to increased liver metabolism and drug clearance. Option C is incorrect as many drugs can still cross the placenta during the third trimester, potentially affecting the fetus. Option D is incorrect because teratogenic effects are not necessarily dose-dependent and can occur at any stage of pregnancy, not just the third trimester. In an educational context, understanding how pregnancy affects drug pharmacokinetics is crucial for nurses and healthcare providers to ensure safe medication administration to pregnant patients. This knowledge helps in making informed decisions about drug dosing and selection to optimize maternal and fetal health outcomes.