ATI LPN
ATI LPN Pharmacology Exam I Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
The patient prefers to take an herbal supplement rather than the prescription medication ordered by the physician. Which is the most appropriate response of the nurse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Convenience doesn't ensure efficacy; supplements lack rigorous testing, potentially delivering inconsistent doses or contaminants, unlike prescription drugs' controlled standards. Cost isn't a clinical justification; lower price may reflect unregulated production, risking potency or safety compared to prescriptions validated by scientific trials. Supplements aren't FDA-regulated like prescriptions; lacking standardized purity and efficacy tests, they may contain variable active ingredients, posing therapeutic risks. Plant-based doesn't guarantee safety; many herbs are toxic or interact harmfully with drugs, unlike prescriptions with established pharmacokinetics and safety profiles.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse notes that the patient is scratching and has hives 2 hours after receiving a dose of antibiotic medication. The patient soon starts having difficulty breathing and his blood pressure drops. What is the correct analysis of the patient's condition?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Moderate reactions don't cause breathing difficulty or hypotension. Severe symptoms indicate anaphylaxis, requiring emergency intervention. Symptoms align with anaphylaxis, not food poisoning. Assuming an unrelated cause delays life-saving treatment. Mild reactions lack systemic effects like hypotension and breathing difficulties. Antihistamines alone are insufficient for anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis involves systemic reactions such as hypotension, airway constriction, and skin symptoms. Immediate interventions prevent progression and save lives.
Question 3 of 5
In addition to the dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal muscles, which of these sites can safely be used for intramuscular injections?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Deltoid and vastus lateralis are large muscles with good vascularity; they safely absorb IM injections, minimizing nerve damage or tissue irritation risks. Chest and abdomen lack sufficient muscle mass for IM; these are subcutaneous or IV sites, risking poor absorption or injury if used intramuscularly. Forearm and scapula are too thin or bony; IM injections here risk nerve or bone damage, lacking the muscle bulk needed for safe drug delivery. Lower leg (e.g., calf) has small muscles and major vessels; IM use risks vascular injury or slow absorption, making it an unsafe injection site.
Question 4 of 5
When administering a medication, a nurse should check the label on the drug container against the MAR when removing the drug container from the client's medication drawer, when removing the drug from the medication container, and:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Showing the client isn't a standard check; patients don't verify MAR, and this step lacks relevance to the nurse's triple-check safety protocol. Checking before returning ensures accuracy; the third check confirms the right drug post-administration, completing the three-point verification process safely. Calling the pharmacy is unrelated; label checks occur during administration, not external consultation, making this an irrelevant timing option. Colleague checks aren't routine; the three checks are individual, and this step doesn't align with standard MAR verification timing protocols.
Question 5 of 5
A client is to receive a medication at 9:00 A.M. To prevent a medication error by administering at the incorrect time, the nurse can administer the medication anytime between:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Two-hour window (8:00-10:00) is too broad; most protocols allow 30 minutes before/after, as wider ranges risk altering drug pharmacokinetics significantly. One-hour window (8:30-9:30) is common but exceeds some strict policies; it's less precise, potentially affecting drugs with tight timing needs. 8:30-9:00 is only before; it excludes post-9:00 flexibility, limiting administration to early dosing, which may not align with full protocol windows. 8:45-9:15 (30 minutes either side) fits standard policy; it ensures therapeutic levels for most drugs, balancing efficacy with practical scheduling.