ATI LPN
ATI LPN Pharmacology Exam I Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
Which pain medication may be administered to the patient as needed?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Fentanyl patches provide continuous opioid delivery for 72 hours; their fixed schedule isn't 'as needed,' making them unsuitable for acute, variable pain management. Acetaminophen with oxycodone is scheduled every 6 hours; this fixed interval lacks the flexibility of 'as needed,' limiting its use for breakthrough pain relief. Morphine extended-release is designed for sustained release over 12 hours; its fixed dosing isn't 'as needed,' restricting its role to chronic, not acute, pain control. Ketorolac IV every 4 hours prn allows flexible dosing; this NSAID targets inflammation and pain acutely, ideal for as-needed administration within safe limits.
Question 2 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 Seeking 40-mg tablets ignores expiration; even if available, current stock is outdated, and fresh supply is still required for reliable effect.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 3 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 4 of 5
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection for a client of average weight. At what angle would the nurse insert the needle?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IM injections use a 90-degree angle; this ensures deep muscle penetration for average-weight adults, optimizing drug absorption into vascular tissue. 45 degrees is for subcutaneous injections; it's too shallow for IM, risking fat deposition instead of muscle, reducing efficacy in this context. 15 degrees is far too shallow; it's not a standard angle, likely depositing drug in skin layers, failing to reach muscle for intended absorption. 25 degrees mimics subcutaneous; it doesn't reach muscle depth, compromising IM delivery and therapeutic effect in an average-weight client.
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.