ATI LPN
ATI LPN Pharmacology Exam I Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is to administer a nephrotoxic medication to the patient. Which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the patient should receive a reduced dosage of the drug?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Diabetic kidney disease with hypertension impairs filtration; reduced glomerular rate necessitates lower nephrotoxic doses to prevent further renal damage. Osteoarthritis, diet, and smoking do not directly indicate impaired kidney function requiring dose adjustment.
Question 2 of 5
An elderly patient who lives in a skilled nursing facility and who likes to walk is taking a medication that lowers blood pressure by dilating blood vessels. The best nursing action for this patient is to:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Bed rest increases clot risk and deconditioning; vasodilators lower pressure, but mobility is beneficial unless contraindicated, making this overly restrictive. Assisting ambulation helps, but it's less proactive; it doesn't address orthostatic hypotension risks at initiation of movement, where falls are most likely. Monitoring intake/output tracks fluid status, not directly addressing vasodilation's hypotensive effects during position changes, missing the primary safety concern. Rising slowly counters orthostatic hypotension from vasodilation; it allows autoregulation to stabilize pressure, reducing fall risk in an active elderly patient.
Question 3 of 5
A 25-year-old woman is visiting the prenatal clinic and shares with the nurse her desire to go 'natural' with her pregnancy. She shows the nurse a list of herbal remedies that she wants to buy so that she can 'avoid taking any drugs.' Which statement by the nurse is correct?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Herbal remedies lack FDA safety data; in pregnancy, untested substances risk fetal harm (e.g., teratogenicity), making this a critical caution. Claiming safety is false; many herbs (e.g., St. John's Wort) affect pregnancy adversely, and without evidence, this misleads the patient dangerously. Consistency isn't required; herbal products vary widely in potency, and this false assurance ignores regulatory gaps in supplement standardization. Labels help, but warnings are inconsistent; this shifts responsibility without addressing the lack of proven safety, a more pressing prenatal concern.
Question 4 of 5
The physician orders Zestril 15 mg po daily for hypertension. The medication is supplied in 5-mg tablets. How many tablets will the nurse administer?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: One 5-mg tablet provides only 5 mg, far below the 15 mg ordered; this underdose fails to control hypertension effectively, risking cardiovascular complications like stroke or heart failure. Two tablets yield 10 mg, still short of 15 mg; this insufficient dose wouldn't achieve therapeutic blood pressure reduction, leaving the patient at risk for hypertensive damage. Three 5-mg tablets equal 15 mg, matching the order precisely; this dose effectively inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme, lowering blood pressure to a therapeutic range safely. Four tablets deliver 20 mg, exceeding the order; this overdose could cause hypotension, dizziness, or renal impairment due to excessive ACE inhibition beyond therapeutic needs.
Question 5 of 5
A patient is to receive insulin Regular and insulin NPH. How will the nurse draw up the insulins for administration?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Separate syringes increase injection sites and patient discomfort; mixing is standard as Regular and NPH are compatible, optimizing insulin delivery efficiency and absorption. Drawing Regular (clear) before NPH (cloudy) in one syringe prevents contamination of the short-acting vial with the intermediate-acting insulin, ensuring accurate dosing and stability. Shaking insulin damages its structure; NPH requires gentle rolling to mix, while Regular needs no mixing, making vigorous shaking inappropriate for preparation. Drawing NPH first risks contaminating the Regular vial with NPH particles, altering its rapid action; the clear-to-cloudy sequence maintains insulin integrity and efficacy.