Prepare for the ATI Pharmacology proctored exam with these practice questions and answers. This guide covers drug classifications, mechanisms of action, side effects, and nursing implications.
Q: Telephone prescription from provider. The Nurse:
Answer: Reads the prescription back to the provider.
Q: Seizure disorder. Patient should:
Answer: Keep a seizure chart.
Q: Potassium level:
Answer: 3.5-5 mEq/L
Q: Potassium level less then 3.5 mEq/L:
Answer: Cardiac monitor for cardiac dysrhythmias.
Q: Penicillin allergy requires incident report with what symptom:
Answer: S.O.B.
Q: Phenytoin (Dilantin) decreases effectiveness of:
Answer: Ethinyl/desogestrel (Oral contraceptive)
Q: Ergotamine (Ergostat) SL for migraine headache:
Answer: 1 SL tablet at onset of headache.
Q: Digoxin level:
Answer: 1.0-2.0 ng/mL. Digoxin is toxic at 2.4 give Digoxin immune fab (Diggibind)
Q: Avoid during metronidazole (Flagyl):
Answer: Beer can cause disulfiram-reaction (Hypotension, vomiting, weakness)
Q: Captopril (Capoten) cannot be used:
Answer: With salt substitue with meal or potassium.
Q: Mannitol (Osmitrol) achieving therapeutic effect:
Answer: Decrease intraocular pressure for acute closure glaucoma.
Q: Simvastatin (Zocor) teaching plan:
Answer: Report muscle pain, do not take med with grapefruit juice, minimize alcohol intake, life long therapy, take in the evening.
Q: Heparin and warfarin client with 4 times aPPT and INR of 2:
Answer: Decrease the heparin.
Q: aPPT (Activated partial thromboplastin time) plasma value:
Answer: 1.5-2 times the normal
Q: INR (International Normalized Ratio) value:
Answer: 2.0-3.0. Target of 2.5. Higher the number bleeding disorder. Lower the number clotting disorder.
Q: Oxytocin (Pitocin) by continuious IV, piggy backed into maintenance IV solution. FHR indicates late decelerations. The nurse first:
Answer: Discontinue client’s IV to reduce contractions.
Q: Bupropion (Zyban) side effects:
Answer: Insomnia (Stimulant).
Q: Risedronate (Actonel) to treat osteoporosis. Client teaching:
Answer: Take in the morning, sit up 30 mins after taking, take with food, swallow whole.
Q: Haloperidol (Haldol) adverse effects (Used for treating vomiting):
Answer: Akathisia (Restlessness).
Q: Oprelvekin (Interleukin 11-WBC) effectiveness:
Answer: Increase platelet count in chemotherapy patients.
Q: Baclofen (Lioresal) therapeutic outcome:
Answer: Decrease the frequency and severity of muscle spasms (MS).
Q: Epoetin Alfa (Procrit) to treat anemia. Nurse should monitor:
Answer: Increased blood pressure and seizures if hematocrit rises too quickly.
Q: Tranylcpromine (Parnate) for depression. Client teaching:
Answer: Move slowly when changing position because orthrostatic hypotension can result as a side effect.
Q: Exenatide (Byetta) for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nurse needs to monitor immediately:
Answer: Abdominal pain due to pancreatitis.Secondary symptom for hyperglycemia: Increased thirst
Q: Hypoglycemia symptoms:
Answer: Diaphoresis and Irritability.
Q: Prednisone (Deltasone) for chronic asthma. Nurse monitors:
Answer: Blood glucose because steroid increase blood sugar.
Q: NHP insulin and Regular insulin in a single syringe: Clear before cloudy.
Answer: 1. NPH (Cloudy) insert air2. Regular (Clear) insert air3. Draw up regular (Clear)4. Draw up NPH (Cloudy)
Q: Zidovudine (Retrovir) nurse should monitor:
Answer: Hemoglobin level because it can cause anemia.
Q: Timolol (Timoptic) for glaucoma. Client history concern:
Answer: Its a Beta Blocker that can worsen bradycardia.
Q: Newborn DTaP injection timeframe:
Answer: 2 months-1st6 months- 3rd15 months- 5th
Q: Newborn Hep B vaccine:
Answer: At birth
Q: Warfain for AFIB. Nurse needs to check what prior to injection:
Answer: INR value.
Q: Hydroxyurea (Droxia) for sickle cell anemia. Nurse reports what to provider:
Answer: Hemoglobin, platelets, neutrophils.
Q: Hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC, neutrophils, platelets value:
Answer: …
Q: Acetaminophen/oxycodone (Percocet) for breakthrough pain PRN and Acetaminophen every 4 hours. The nurse should:
Answer: Notify the provider due to possible overdose.
Q: Sucralfate (Carafate) for PUD:
Answer: Form protective barrier around ulcer (mucosal protectant).
Q: Client teaching for Warfain:
Answer: Limit green leafy veggies, get blood drawn regularly, notify doctor if you bleed of bruise easily, and do not take Aspirin or Tylenol.
Q: Pregnant with Pneumonia contraindication:
Answer: Deoxycycline (Doxycin), Tetracycline due to adverse effects on bones.
Q: Lisinopril (Zestril) for HTN. The client should monitor:
Answer: Dry cough due to build up of bradykinin.
Q: ACE-Inhibitor cause:
Answer: Dry cough.
Q: Nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid IV) for blood pressure:
Answer: Lower systolic blood pressure.
Q: Procainamide (Pronestyl) with acute MI and premature ventricular beats. The nurse should withhold if:
Answer: QRS (Contraction) widening of more then 50% and long QT intervals (Rest period) indicates cardiotoxictiy.
Q: Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) for breast cancer adverse side effects:
Answer: Menstrual irregularity, hot flashes, vaginal discharge.
Q: Beclomenthasone (QVAR) for chronic asthma teaching plan:
Answer: Rinse your mouth.
Q: HX of HTN uses OTC oral decongestants for nasal congestion. The nurse advises patient that decongestants:
Answer: Constricts blood vessels (Sympathomimetics)
Q: Phenazopyridine HCL (Pyridium) for acute cystitis will:
Answer: Urine will turn a red-orange color.
Q: Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim DS) side effects:
Answer: Vesicular, crusty rash is a sign of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.(Photosensitivity-Limited sun exposure)
Q: Propylthiouracil (PTU) outcomes:
Answer: Decrease T4, decrease heart rate, decrease body temp, weight gain.
Q: Transdermal Nitroglycerin (Minitran) teaching plan:
Answer: Take patch each evening for medication free time of 12-14 before each new patch.
Q: Amoxicillin/calavulaic acid (Augmentin) allergy to penicillin. The nurse should first:
Answer: Hold the medication.
Q: Morphine and discharge teaching:
Answer: Increase fiber due to possible constipation.
Q: Ampotericin B (Fungizone) for histoplasmosis (Skin) adverse effects:
Answer: Fever and chills are signs of infusion reaction.
Q: Aspirin for arthritis. Signs of salicylism:
Answer: Tinnitus, sweating headache, dizziness.
Q: Breakthrough pain. 8 of 10 on scale.
Answer: Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) pure opioid for sever pain.
Q: Methylphenidate (Ritalin) for ADHD intervention in adverse effects:
Answer: Maintain age-appropriate weight.
Q: Sumatriptan (Imitrex) patient teaching:
Answer: Use medication upon first sign of headache. Should dissipate 30-50 mins.*Up to 2 dose after 2 hours of initial dose.Side effect: Tightness of chest
Q: PCA of Morphine Sulfate, patient Resp. 10/min, unresponsive to touch. Nurse first:
Answer: Administer NarCan into patient IV.
Q: Beginning Prednisone (Deltasone) therapy for acute bronchitis:
Answer: Wait until complete therapy due to glucocorticoids reducing antibody response of live vaccine. Increase risk on infection.
Q: Ferrous Sulfate teaching plan:
Answer: Black stools are common, take on empty stomach for absorption, no bruising.
Q: Phenytoin (Dilantin) teaching plan:
Answer: Tell dentist because drug can cause gingival hyperplasia, report eye movement.
Q: Dilantin level:
Answer: 10-20 mcg/LBelow 10- SeizuresAbove 20- Toxic can cause Nystagmus (Eye movement)
Q: Ranitidine (Zantac) for GERD adverse effects:
Answer: Green Sputum from low stomach PH (Pneumonia)
Q: Effects oral contraceptives:
Answer: Carbamazepine (Tegretol) inactivates oral contraceptives
Q: Isoniazid (INH) for TB adverse effects:
Answer: Yellow skin tones (Jaundice)