ATI PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE QUESTIONS
HEMATOLOGIC, CARDIOVASCULAR, PAIN AND
INFLAMMATION
[Document subtitle]
,ATI Pharmacology Practice Questions
1) A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client who has angina pectoris and a new
prescription to apply anitroglycerin transdermal patch daily at home. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse give the client?
ANSWERS - Multiple Choice
1) Fold used patch with medication area to the inside and discard in a
closedreceptacle.
Answer Rationale:
It is important to prevent pets, children, and others in the client’s home from coming into
contact with the medication on the nitroglycerin patch. Therefore, the client should be
instructed to fold the patch in half with the medication area to the inside and to discard the
patch in a closed receptacle rather than in an open trash can.
INCORRECT
2) Put a second patch in place if angina pain occurs.
Answer Rationale:
Nitroglycerin transdermal patches are designed for prophylaxis of angina pain and are not to be
used to stop an existing angina attack. Adding a second patch is not appropriate and could cause
adverse effects, such as hypotension. The client should discuss strategies for treating an angina
attack with the provider.
INCORRECT
3) Keep a nitroglycerin patch in place 24 hr per day.
Answer Rationale:
Since clients can develop tolerance to nitroglycerin, the transdermal patch should be removed
after 12 to 14 hr each day, and the client should have 10 to 12 hr of time without a patch
during the evening and nighttime hours.
,ATI Pharmacology Practice Questions
INCORRECT
4) Shave excess hair from skin before applying a nitroglycerin patch.
Answer Rationale:
The client should be instructed to apply the patch to a different hairless area each day. If it is
necessary to apply the patch to an area with hair, the hair should be clipped, not shaved, to
avoid irritation to the skin.
, ATI Pharmacology Practice Questions
2) A nurse is caring for a client who has a deep vein thrombosis, who received IV heparin
for the past 5days, and now has a new prescription for oral warfarin in addition to the
heparin. The client asks thenurse if both medications are necessary. Which of the
following is an appropriate response by the nurse?
ANSWERS - Multiple Choice
INCORRECT
1) "Heparin enhances the effects of the warfarin."
Answer Rationale:
Neither medication enhances the effects of the other.
INCORRECT
2) "I will ask the charge nurse to call your provider and get an explanation."
Answer Rationale:
The charge nurse does not need to call the provider for an explanation at this time.
INCORRECT
3) "Both heparin and warfarin work together to dissolve the clots."
Answer Rationale:
Neither heparin nor warfarin dissolves clots that have already formed.
4) "Heparin will be continued until the warfarin reaches a therapeutic level."
Answer Rationale:
Heparin and warfarin are both anticoagulants that decrease the clotting ability of the blood
and help prevent thrombosis formation in the blood vessels. However, they work in different
ways to achieve therapeutic coagulation and must be given together until therapeutic levels of
anticoagulation can be achieved by warfarin alone, which usually takes about 3 days. Oral
warfarin therapy may continue for several months following discharge.
HEMATOLOGIC, CARDIOVASCULAR, PAIN AND
INFLAMMATION
[Document subtitle]
,ATI Pharmacology Practice Questions
1) A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client who has angina pectoris and a new
prescription to apply anitroglycerin transdermal patch daily at home. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse give the client?
ANSWERS - Multiple Choice
1) Fold used patch with medication area to the inside and discard in a
closedreceptacle.
Answer Rationale:
It is important to prevent pets, children, and others in the client’s home from coming into
contact with the medication on the nitroglycerin patch. Therefore, the client should be
instructed to fold the patch in half with the medication area to the inside and to discard the
patch in a closed receptacle rather than in an open trash can.
INCORRECT
2) Put a second patch in place if angina pain occurs.
Answer Rationale:
Nitroglycerin transdermal patches are designed for prophylaxis of angina pain and are not to be
used to stop an existing angina attack. Adding a second patch is not appropriate and could cause
adverse effects, such as hypotension. The client should discuss strategies for treating an angina
attack with the provider.
INCORRECT
3) Keep a nitroglycerin patch in place 24 hr per day.
Answer Rationale:
Since clients can develop tolerance to nitroglycerin, the transdermal patch should be removed
after 12 to 14 hr each day, and the client should have 10 to 12 hr of time without a patch
during the evening and nighttime hours.
,ATI Pharmacology Practice Questions
INCORRECT
4) Shave excess hair from skin before applying a nitroglycerin patch.
Answer Rationale:
The client should be instructed to apply the patch to a different hairless area each day. If it is
necessary to apply the patch to an area with hair, the hair should be clipped, not shaved, to
avoid irritation to the skin.
, ATI Pharmacology Practice Questions
2) A nurse is caring for a client who has a deep vein thrombosis, who received IV heparin
for the past 5days, and now has a new prescription for oral warfarin in addition to the
heparin. The client asks thenurse if both medications are necessary. Which of the
following is an appropriate response by the nurse?
ANSWERS - Multiple Choice
INCORRECT
1) "Heparin enhances the effects of the warfarin."
Answer Rationale:
Neither medication enhances the effects of the other.
INCORRECT
2) "I will ask the charge nurse to call your provider and get an explanation."
Answer Rationale:
The charge nurse does not need to call the provider for an explanation at this time.
INCORRECT
3) "Both heparin and warfarin work together to dissolve the clots."
Answer Rationale:
Neither heparin nor warfarin dissolves clots that have already formed.
4) "Heparin will be continued until the warfarin reaches a therapeutic level."
Answer Rationale:
Heparin and warfarin are both anticoagulants that decrease the clotting ability of the blood
and help prevent thrombosis formation in the blood vessels. However, they work in different
ways to achieve therapeutic coagulation and must be given together until therapeutic levels of
anticoagulation can be achieved by warfarin alone, which usually takes about 3 days. Oral
warfarin therapy may continue for several months following discharge.
