ATI RN
ATI RN Pharmacology Proctored Exam Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child following an orthopedic procedure. When assessing the child for pain, which of the following pain scales should the nurse use?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: FACES pain scale. This is appropriate for children aged 3 and older who can point to the face that best represents their pain level. It is simple, easy to understand, and has been validated for use in pediatric populations. The FACES scale allows children to express their pain visually, making it suitable for young children who may not be able to articulate their pain verbally.
The other choices are not as appropriate for assessing pain in a 4-year-old child.
B: Numeric scale may be challenging for young children to understand and use effectively.
C: CRIES scale is typically used for infants and may not be suitable for a 4-year-old child who can communicate more effectively.
D: Word graphic scales may be too complex for young children to comprehend.
Therefore, the FACES pain scale is the most suitable choice for assessing pain in a 4-year-old child post orthopedic procedure.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client following the administration of ondansetron (Zofran). Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the ondansetron has been effective?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Client reports a decrease in nausea. Ondansetron is an antiemetic medication commonly used to treat nausea and vomiting.
Therefore, a decrease in nausea would indicate that the medication has been effective in managing the client's symptoms.
Incorrect answers:
A: Client reports a decrease in pain - Ondansetron is not indicated for pain relief.
C: Client reports a decrease in coughing - Ondansetron does not treat coughing.
D: Client reports a decrease in diarrhea - Ondansetron does not target diarrhea.
In summary, the key to identifying the correct answer is understanding the purpose of ondansetron as an antiemetic medication, making choice B the most appropriate indicator of its effectiveness.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is monitoring laboratory values for a client who has chronic heart failure and is receiving digoxin. Which of the following values should the nurse report to the provider?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Potassium 2.9 mEq/L. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity, as digoxin competes with potassium for binding sites on cardiac cells. Hypokalemia can potentiate the effects of digoxin, leading to adverse cardiac effects.
Therefore, the nurse should report this low potassium level to the provider for potential adjustment of digoxin dosage or potassium supplementation.
Incorrect
Choices:
A: Sodium 1.38 mEq/dL - Low sodium levels can be concerning but are not directly related to digoxin toxicity.
B: Magnesium 1.5 mEq/L - Low magnesium levels can also increase the risk of digoxin toxicity but potassium is a more critical electrolyte to monitor in this case.
C: BUN level 10 mg/dL - BUN level within normal range and not directly related to digoxin therapy.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is consulting a formulary about a client's new prescription for raloxifene. The nurse should identify that this medication is used to treat which of the following conditions?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Osteoporosis. Raloxifene is a medication used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women by increasing bone mineral density and reducing the risk of fractures. It is a selective estrogen receptor modulator. The other choices (B, C, D, E, F, G) are incorrect because raloxifene is not indicated for hypothyroidism, urinary tract infection, or any other condition besides osteoporosis. It is important for the nurse to understand the specific indications and mechanisms of action of medications to ensure safe and effective patient care.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is administering 4 mg of hydromorphone to a client by mouth every 4 hr. The medication is provided as hydromorphone 8 mg per tablet. Which of the following actions is appropriate for the nurse to take?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Dispose of the remaining medication while another nurse observes. This is the appropriate action for the nurse to take because hydromorphone is a controlled substance, and any remaining portion of the tablet should not be saved or stored for future use. The presence of another nurse observing the disposal ensures accountability and adherence to proper medication administration protocols. Returning the medication to the pharmacy (
A), storing the remaining half of the pill in the automated system (
B), or placing it in the unit dose package (
C) are all incorrect as they do not align with safe medication handling practices for controlled substances. The key is to prevent diversion and ensure proper disposal under supervision.