ATI LPN
ATI PN Pharmacology 2020 Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who started taking amitriptyline 6 days ago. The client reports that the medication is not helping. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: "You will need to wait a couple of weeks to feel the therapeutic effect of the medication." Amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, typically takes about 2-4 weeks for the full therapeutic effects to be noticeable. This is due to the medication needing time to build up in the body and start influencing neurotransmitter levels. It is essential for the nurse to educate the client about the delayed onset of action to manage expectations and prevent premature discontinuation of the medication.
Incorrect answers:
A: "I will inform your provider so she can prescribe a different medication." - Prematurely changing medications without giving amitriptyline a fair trial may result in missed therapeutic benefits.
B: "You will need to take this medication on an empty stomach for it to be more effective." - Administration with food does not significantly affect the efficacy of amitriptyline.
D: "I will ask your provider to increase the dose of the medication
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is talking with a client who has been taking levothyroxine to treat hypothyroidism. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid taking which of the following over-the-counter medications within 4 hr of taking levothyroxine?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Calcium supplements. Levothyroxine can bind to calcium, iron, and other minerals, reducing its absorption. Taking calcium supplements within 4 hours of levothyroxine can decrease the effectiveness of levothyroxine. This interference can lead to inadequate thyroid hormone levels in the body, potentially worsening hypothyroidism symptoms.
Therefore, it is crucial for the client to avoid taking calcium supplements close to the time of levothyroxine administration.
Incorrect choices:
A: Fish oil supplements - Fish oil supplements do not interfere with levothyroxine absorption.
C: Bulk-forming laxatives - Bulk-forming laxatives do not significantly impact levothyroxine absorption.
D: Oral antihistamines - Oral antihistamines do not affect levothyroxine absorption.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking epoetin alfa for 3 months. Which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse monitor to determine the effectiveness of the medication?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hgb. Epoetin alfa is a medication used to stimulate red blood cell production. Monitoring hemoglobin (Hgb) levels is crucial to assess the effectiveness of the medication in treating anemia. A rise in Hgb indicates the medication is working. AST (choice
A) is a liver enzyme test, not related to epoetin alfa. Troponin (choice
B) is a cardiac enzyme test for heart damage. T4 (choice
C) is a thyroid hormone test.
Therefore, monitoring Hgb levels is essential in this scenario.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who is receiving morphine via a continuous epidural infusion. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Respiratory rate 10/min. This finding should be reported immediately because it could indicate respiratory depression, a serious side effect of morphine. Respiratory depression can lead to hypoxia and potentially be life-threatening. The nurse should notify the provider to assess the client's respiratory status, potentially adjust the medication dose, or provide respiratory support.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect:
B: Facial flushing is a common side effect of morphine and does not typically require immediate intervention.
C: Constipation is a common side effect of opioids, including morphine, and can be managed with interventions such as stool softeners.
D: Blood pressure of 88/56 mm Hg may be a potential side effect of morphine, but it is not as immediately life-threatening as respiratory depression.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is reviewing the medication list of a client who has a new prescription for tetracycline. The nurse should instruct the client to take which of the following medications 3 hr before or after taking the tetracycline?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Antacid. Tetracycline should be taken on an empty stomach for optimal absorption. Antacids containing calcium, aluminum, magnesium, or iron can bind to tetracycline and decrease its absorption.
Therefore, the client should take the antacid 3 hours before or after taking tetracycline to avoid this interaction.
Choice A (Hydrochlorothiazide) does not have a significant interaction with tetracycline.
Choices C (Lovastatin) and D (Acetaminophen) do not require specific timing in relation to tetracycline.