ATI LPN
ATI LPN Pharmacology Exam I Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
Before integrating humor in the care of an Asian patient, the nurse should:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Understanding jokes assumes comprehension but ignores cultural comfort; humor's acceptability varies, and this misses emotional readiness assessment. Jokes about staff may offend or confuse; without patient input, this risks cultural insensitivity, especially in Asian contexts valuing respect for authority. Asking feelings respects cultural norms; humor's therapeutic effect depends on patient receptivity, ensuring it aligns with individual and cultural preferences. Joking about conditions can distress; it's culturally inappropriate in many Asian settings, potentially worsening trust or emotional state without consent.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is to administer the patient's next dose of vancomycin at 9:30 a.m. What time will the nurse draw the patient's blood to check the trough vancomycin level?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Drawing at 8:30 a.m., 60 minutes before, is too early; trough levels, taken just before the next dose, reflect minimum concentration, and this timing risks inaccurate results. At 9:00 a.m., 30 minutes before the 9:30 a.m. dose, the trough level accurately measures the lowest vancomycin concentration, ensuring therapeutic monitoring aligns with pharmacokinetics. Drawing at 10:00 a.m., after the dose, measures a post-infusion level, not the trough; this timing misses the minimum concentration critical for dosing adjustments. At 10:30 a.m., well after the dose, blood reflects peak or random levels, not the trough, skewing data needed to assess vancomycin's therapeutic efficacy and safety.
Question 3 of 5
After the nurse hands a client a medication, the client says, 'What is this red tablet for? I have always taken a yellow pill.' What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Withholding and rechecking ensures safety; a color change signals a potential error, and verifying the MAR against orders prevents administering the wrong drug. Assuming a change is risky; without confirmation, administering an unverified drug could harm the patient if it's not the intended prescription. Administering then checking later endangers the patient; a wrong drug could cause adverse effects, and delayed verification violates safety protocols. Describing and giving without verification is unsafe; the red tablet may not match the order, risking incorrect treatment or allergic reactions.
Question 4 of 5
A patient is due for a 40-mg dose of furosemide (Lasix) at 9:00 AM on May 5, 2013. The drug label reads '20 mg per tablet.' The tablets in the bottle appear firm and unbroken. The expiration date on the bottle reads 'April 2, 2013.' The best nursing action is to:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Half a tablet (10 mg) underdoses; expired drugs may degrade, and 40 mg is needed for diuresis, risking therapeutic failure in this scenario. Two tablets (40 mg) meet the dose but are expired; potency loss post-April 2013 risks inefficacy or toxicity, compromising patient safety. Seeking 40-mg tablets ignores expiration; even if available, current stock is outdated, and fresh supply is still required for reliable effect. Expired drugs (April 2013) lose potency; a new bottle ensures 40 mg of active furosemide, maintaining efficacy and safety for hypertension or edema.
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.