ATI PROCTORED PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 3
STUDY GUIDE 2026 FULL COVERAGE PREMIUM
◉ Medications for Infection: Antivirals. Answer: Acyclovir,
Oseltamivir: Herpes Simplex & Herpes Zoster (Acyclovir), Influenza
(Oseltamivir)
- C: Renal impairment
- AE: Acyclovir can cause phlebitis and nephrotoxicity
- NC: Use additional contraception, complete entire course of
therapy even it pt. is feeling better.
◉ Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Non-opioid Analgesics.
Answer: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Celecoxib: treats fever, pain,
inflammation, Antiplatelet (aspirin)
- C: Children (aspirin), pregnancy/lactation, peptic ulcer disease
- AE: Reye's syndrome, GI upset, renal issues, increased risk of
stroke or heart attack
- NC: Take with food, DO NOT CRUSH/CHEW enteric coated or
extended release aspirin tablets
◉ Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Acetaminophen. Answer:
Acetaminophen: pain, fever
- C: liver issues, chronic alcohol use disorder
,- AE: Toxicity
- NC: Read medication labels, if pain/fever lasts >3 days, contact
provider
◉ Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Opioid Agonists. Answer:
Morphine: pain, sedation, cough suppression (codeine)
- C: premature infants, asthma, renal/hepatic disease, kidney failure
- AE: Respiratory depression, sedation, ortho. hypo, constipation
- NC: Assess pain level, check vitals especially RR, double check
doses with another nurse.
◉ Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Agonist-Antagonist
Opioids. Answer: Butorphanol: pain, less potential for abuse
- C: MI, kidney/liver disease, respiratory depression, opioid
dependancy
- AE: Abstinence syndrome, sedation, dizziness, headache
- NC: baseline vitals, have naloxone ready
◉ Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Opioid Antagonist.
Answer: Naloxone: Treats opioid overose
- C: Liver failure, opioid dependency, pragnancy
- AE: Tachycardia, tachypenia, abstinence syndrome
- NC: Rescue medication
,◉ Medications Affecting the Nervous System: Benzodiazepines.
Answer: Alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam: Anxiety disorder, panic
disorder, Seizure disorder, alcohol withdrawal
- C: Pregnancy/lactation, liver disease, substance abuse
- AE: CNS depression, amnesia, toxicity
- NC: Take at bedtime
◉ Medications Affecting the Nervous System: Atypical Anxiolytics.
Answer: Buspirone: Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder
- C: Pregnancy, liver & kidney problems
- AE: Dizziness, constipation, suicidal ideation
- NC: Short term treatment, take with meals, won't see effects until
2-4 weeks of taking drug.
◉ Medications Affecting the Nervous System: SSRI's. Answer:
Paroxetine, Fluoxetine, Sertraline: OCD, anxiety, panic disorder,
depression
- C: Pregnancy, MAOIs or TCAs, Liver/kidney problems
- AE: Sexual dysfunction, weight changes, Bruxism (grinding of
teeth), Serotonin syndrome, Suicidal ideation
- NC: Take with food and in the morning, takes 2-4 weeks to see
effects
, ◉ Medications Affecting the Nervous System: SNRI's. Answer:
Venlafaxine, Duloxetine: Depression, panic/anxiety disorder
- C: pregnancy, MAOIs or TCAs
- AE: Sexual dysfunction, weight loss, anxiety, withdrawal (if
stopped abruptly), Suicide (children & adolescents), Serotonin
syndrome
- NC: Take in the morning, avoid use with other antidepressants
◉ Medications Affecting the Nervous System: Atypical
Antidepressants. Answer: Buproprion: Depression, smoking
cessation
- C: Seizure disorder, MAOIs, eating disorder
- AE: Has anticholinergic effects, weight loss, seizures
- NC: Do not give within 2 weeks of MAOIs
◉ Medications Affecting the Nervous System: Tricyclic
Antidepressants. Answer: Amitriptyline: Depression, neuropathic
pain
- C: MI, Seizure disorder, CAS, diabetes, liver/kidney/respiratory
disorders
- AE: Anticholinergic effects, sedation, decreased seizure threshold
◉ Medications Affecting the Nervous System: MAOIs. Answer:
Phenelzine: Depression
STUDY GUIDE 2026 FULL COVERAGE PREMIUM
◉ Medications for Infection: Antivirals. Answer: Acyclovir,
Oseltamivir: Herpes Simplex & Herpes Zoster (Acyclovir), Influenza
(Oseltamivir)
- C: Renal impairment
- AE: Acyclovir can cause phlebitis and nephrotoxicity
- NC: Use additional contraception, complete entire course of
therapy even it pt. is feeling better.
◉ Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Non-opioid Analgesics.
Answer: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Celecoxib: treats fever, pain,
inflammation, Antiplatelet (aspirin)
- C: Children (aspirin), pregnancy/lactation, peptic ulcer disease
- AE: Reye's syndrome, GI upset, renal issues, increased risk of
stroke or heart attack
- NC: Take with food, DO NOT CRUSH/CHEW enteric coated or
extended release aspirin tablets
◉ Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Acetaminophen. Answer:
Acetaminophen: pain, fever
- C: liver issues, chronic alcohol use disorder
,- AE: Toxicity
- NC: Read medication labels, if pain/fever lasts >3 days, contact
provider
◉ Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Opioid Agonists. Answer:
Morphine: pain, sedation, cough suppression (codeine)
- C: premature infants, asthma, renal/hepatic disease, kidney failure
- AE: Respiratory depression, sedation, ortho. hypo, constipation
- NC: Assess pain level, check vitals especially RR, double check
doses with another nurse.
◉ Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Agonist-Antagonist
Opioids. Answer: Butorphanol: pain, less potential for abuse
- C: MI, kidney/liver disease, respiratory depression, opioid
dependancy
- AE: Abstinence syndrome, sedation, dizziness, headache
- NC: baseline vitals, have naloxone ready
◉ Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Opioid Antagonist.
Answer: Naloxone: Treats opioid overose
- C: Liver failure, opioid dependency, pragnancy
- AE: Tachycardia, tachypenia, abstinence syndrome
- NC: Rescue medication
,◉ Medications Affecting the Nervous System: Benzodiazepines.
Answer: Alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam: Anxiety disorder, panic
disorder, Seizure disorder, alcohol withdrawal
- C: Pregnancy/lactation, liver disease, substance abuse
- AE: CNS depression, amnesia, toxicity
- NC: Take at bedtime
◉ Medications Affecting the Nervous System: Atypical Anxiolytics.
Answer: Buspirone: Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder
- C: Pregnancy, liver & kidney problems
- AE: Dizziness, constipation, suicidal ideation
- NC: Short term treatment, take with meals, won't see effects until
2-4 weeks of taking drug.
◉ Medications Affecting the Nervous System: SSRI's. Answer:
Paroxetine, Fluoxetine, Sertraline: OCD, anxiety, panic disorder,
depression
- C: Pregnancy, MAOIs or TCAs, Liver/kidney problems
- AE: Sexual dysfunction, weight changes, Bruxism (grinding of
teeth), Serotonin syndrome, Suicidal ideation
- NC: Take with food and in the morning, takes 2-4 weeks to see
effects
, ◉ Medications Affecting the Nervous System: SNRI's. Answer:
Venlafaxine, Duloxetine: Depression, panic/anxiety disorder
- C: pregnancy, MAOIs or TCAs
- AE: Sexual dysfunction, weight loss, anxiety, withdrawal (if
stopped abruptly), Suicide (children & adolescents), Serotonin
syndrome
- NC: Take in the morning, avoid use with other antidepressants
◉ Medications Affecting the Nervous System: Atypical
Antidepressants. Answer: Buproprion: Depression, smoking
cessation
- C: Seizure disorder, MAOIs, eating disorder
- AE: Has anticholinergic effects, weight loss, seizures
- NC: Do not give within 2 weeks of MAOIs
◉ Medications Affecting the Nervous System: Tricyclic
Antidepressants. Answer: Amitriptyline: Depression, neuropathic
pain
- C: MI, Seizure disorder, CAS, diabetes, liver/kidney/respiratory
disorders
- AE: Anticholinergic effects, sedation, decreased seizure threshold
◉ Medications Affecting the Nervous System: MAOIs. Answer:
Phenelzine: Depression
