ATI LPN
ATI LPN Pharmacology Exam I Questions
Extract:
Question 1 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 2 of 5
A nurse has prepared the 9:00 AM client medications for administration but is called off the unit briefly. Who can distribute these medications to clients?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacy technicians are not authorized to administer medications. Their scope involves preparation and dispensing under supervision, ensuring safety and compliance. Safe practice standards dictate that the preparing nurse administers the medications to ensure accuracy and accountability, minimizing potential errors. Delegating to the head nurse violates medication administration protocols, as accountability rests with the nurse who prepared the medications. Allowing other licensed nurses to distribute medications increases the risk of errors due to lack of firsthand knowledge of preparation specifics.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse explains to a client that the drug administration of a medication is to be placed between the gum and jaw. By which route is the nurse administering this medication?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Topical applies to skin or mucous surfaces broadly; gum/jaw placement is specific to buccal, not the general external or mucosal topical category. Oral means swallowed; buccal drugs stay in the mouth for absorption, avoiding the digestive tract, making this an incorrect route classification. Buccal involves placement between gum and cheek; it allows direct mucosal absorption into the bloodstream, bypassing first-pass metabolism effectively. Sublingual is under the tongue; gum/jaw specifies buccal, as sublingual targets a different oral site with distinct absorption dynamics.
Question 4 of 5
The physician orders Ceclor 175 mg po for an ear infection. After reconstitution, the medication is available as 125 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters will the nurse administer?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 5 mL gives 125 mg
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is going to administer a medication that must be crushed for the patient to take it. This medication is best given to the patient by:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Applesauce masks taste and aids swallowing; it ensures crushed medication is consumed fully, maintaining dose integrity without altering pharmacokinetics significantly. Juice may alter absorption, water may not mask bitterness, and meat/vegetables risk uneven distribution.