ATI LPN
ATI LPN Pharmacology Exam I Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A patient in pain requests the prescribed pain medication, which is an opioid. Which nursing assessment is essential before administering the opioid?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Blood pressure matters but isn't primary; opioids rarely cause acute hypotension initially, and respiratory depression is a more immediate life-threatening risk. Temperature is unrelated; opioids don't primarily affect fever, and this assessment doesn't address the critical safety concern of opioid administration. Pulse is secondary; opioids may slow heart rate mildly, but respiratory suppression is the urgent risk, requiring priority monitoring before dosing. Respiratory rate is critical; opioids depress the brainstem, risking apnea, and assessing breathing ensures safety before administering this high-risk medication.
Question 2 of 5
A patient has an order for a subcutaneous injection of insulin. The nurse will prepare to give this injection into which of the following tissues?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Vastus lateralis is muscle; insulin given intramuscularly absorbs too fast, risking hypoglycemia, unlike the slower, safer subcutaneous route intended. Deltoid is also muscle; subcutaneous insulin isn't given here as it's not fatty enough, leading to unpredictable absorption rates versus abdominal tissue. Intravenous line is for IV drugs; insulin via IV is rare and only in emergencies, not standard subcutaneous orders, risking rapid overdose effects. Abdominal fat is ideal for subcutaneous insulin; it ensures steady absorption into capillaries, maintaining glycemic control per pharmacokinetic principles.
Question 3 of 5
What is the generic name on the medication? (No medication specified; assuming a common example from context, e.g., Zestril.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lisinopril is Zestril's generic name; an ACE inhibitor, it's widely used for hypertension, matching the context of a common medication order. Acetaminophen, a pain reliever, isn't Zestril's generic; it lacks antihypertensive action, making it irrelevant to the implied medication class. Morphine, an opioid, treats pain, not hypertension; it doesn't align with Zestril's purpose or class, ruling it out as the generic name. Fentanyl, another opioid, addresses pain, not blood pressure; it's unrelated to Zestril's therapeutic role, excluding it from consideration.
Question 4 of 5
When preparing medications for delivery to an assigned patient, the nurse should check each medication for accuracy of drug and dose:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Checking medications only once increases the likelihood of errors. Safe practice requires multiple verification steps. While better than a single check, verifying only twice may still miss potential discrepancies in drug or dosage accuracy. The three-check system (when retrieving, preparing, and administering medication) minimizes errors, ensuring patient safety through consistent validation at each step. Excessive verification may delay administration, reducing practicality without significantly improving safety beyond three checks.
Question 5 of 5
A patient in pain requests the prescribed pain medication, which is an opioid. Which nursing assessment is essential before administering the opioid?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Blood pressure matters but isn't primary; opioids rarely cause acute hypotension initially, and respiratory depression is a more immediate life-threatening risk. Temperature is unrelated; opioids don't primarily affect fever, and this assessment doesn't address the critical safety concern of opioid administration. Pulse is secondary; opioids may slow heart rate mildly, but respiratory suppression is the urgent risk, requiring priority monitoring before dosing. Respiratory rate is critical; opioids depress the brainstem, risking apnea, and assessing breathing ensures safety before administering this high-risk medication.