ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM
REVIEW Q&A (245 QUESTIONS) WITH
RATIONALES GRADED A
ATI PN Pharmacology
• 1) A nurse is caring for a patient with
hyperparathyroidism and notes that the client's serum
calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which medication should the
nurse prepare to administer as prescribed to the client?
• Calcium chloride
• Calcium gluconate
• Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
• Large doses of vitamin D: 3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is
experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium
chloride are medications used for the treatment of tetany, which
occurs as a result of acute hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large
doses of vitamin D need to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid
hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone
resorption and lowering the serum calcium concentration.
• 2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old
child with iron deficiency anemia.The nurse instructs the
mother to administer the iron with which best food item?
• Milk
• Water
• Apple juice
• Orange juice: 4. Orange juice Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The
mother should be instructed to administer the medication with a
,citrus fruit or a juice that is high in vitamin C. Milk may affect
absorption of the iron. Water will not assist in absorption. Orange
juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
• 3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis
of psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which
of the following would indicate the presence of systemic
toxicity from this medication?
• Tinnitus
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Decreased respirations: 1. Tinnitus Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic
toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms include tinnitus,
dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological disturbances.
Constipation and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism.
• 4.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim
in the lake if they have applied sunscreen. The nurse reminds
the children that chemical sunscreens are most effective
when applied:
• Immediately before swimming
• 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
• Immediately before exposure to the sun
• At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun: 4. At least
30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Rationale:
,Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes
before exposure to the sun so that they can penetrate the skin. All
sunscreens should be reapplied after swimming or sweating.
• 5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the
client with a burn in- jury. When applying the medication, the
client complains of local discomfort and burning. Which of
the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
• Notifying the registered nurse
• Discontinuing the medication
• Informing the client that this is normal
• Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site:
3. Informing the client that this is normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-
positive organisms and is used to treat burns to reduce bacteria
present in avascular tissues. The client should be informed that
the medication will cause local discomfort and burning and that
this is a normal reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are
incorrect
• 6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical
mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The nurse
monitors the client, knowing that which of the following
indicates that a systemic effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
• Elevated blood pressure
• Local pain at the burn site
• Local rash at the burn site:
• Hyperventilation Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can
suppress renal excretion of acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients
, receiving this treatment should be monitored for signs of an acid-
base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication
should be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4 describe
local rather than systemic effects. An elevated blood pressure
may be expected from the pain that occurs with a burn injury.
• 7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe
acne. Before the administration of this medication, the nurse
anticipates that which laboratory test will be prescribed?
• Platelet count
• Triglyceride level
• Complete blood count
• White blood cell count: 2. Triglyceride level Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride
levels should be measured before treatment and periodically
thereafter until the effect on the triglycerides has been evaluated.
Options 1, 3, and 4 do not need to be monitored specifically during
this treatment.
• 8.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the
health care provider (HCP) prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse
reviews the client's med- ication record and would contact
the (HCP) if the client is taking which medication?
• Vitamin A
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Furosemide (Lasix)
• Phenytoin (Dilantin): 1. Vitamin A Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized
intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for
REVIEW Q&A (245 QUESTIONS) WITH
RATIONALES GRADED A
ATI PN Pharmacology
• 1) A nurse is caring for a patient with
hyperparathyroidism and notes that the client's serum
calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which medication should the
nurse prepare to administer as prescribed to the client?
• Calcium chloride
• Calcium gluconate
• Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
• Large doses of vitamin D: 3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is
experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium
chloride are medications used for the treatment of tetany, which
occurs as a result of acute hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large
doses of vitamin D need to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid
hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone
resorption and lowering the serum calcium concentration.
• 2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old
child with iron deficiency anemia.The nurse instructs the
mother to administer the iron with which best food item?
• Milk
• Water
• Apple juice
• Orange juice: 4. Orange juice Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The
mother should be instructed to administer the medication with a
,citrus fruit or a juice that is high in vitamin C. Milk may affect
absorption of the iron. Water will not assist in absorption. Orange
juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
• 3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis
of psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which
of the following would indicate the presence of systemic
toxicity from this medication?
• Tinnitus
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Decreased respirations: 1. Tinnitus Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic
toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms include tinnitus,
dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological disturbances.
Constipation and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism.
• 4.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim
in the lake if they have applied sunscreen. The nurse reminds
the children that chemical sunscreens are most effective
when applied:
• Immediately before swimming
• 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
• Immediately before exposure to the sun
• At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun: 4. At least
30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Rationale:
,Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes
before exposure to the sun so that they can penetrate the skin. All
sunscreens should be reapplied after swimming or sweating.
• 5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the
client with a burn in- jury. When applying the medication, the
client complains of local discomfort and burning. Which of
the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
• Notifying the registered nurse
• Discontinuing the medication
• Informing the client that this is normal
• Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site:
3. Informing the client that this is normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-
positive organisms and is used to treat burns to reduce bacteria
present in avascular tissues. The client should be informed that
the medication will cause local discomfort and burning and that
this is a normal reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are
incorrect
• 6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical
mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The nurse
monitors the client, knowing that which of the following
indicates that a systemic effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
• Elevated blood pressure
• Local pain at the burn site
• Local rash at the burn site:
• Hyperventilation Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can
suppress renal excretion of acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients
, receiving this treatment should be monitored for signs of an acid-
base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication
should be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4 describe
local rather than systemic effects. An elevated blood pressure
may be expected from the pain that occurs with a burn injury.
• 7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe
acne. Before the administration of this medication, the nurse
anticipates that which laboratory test will be prescribed?
• Platelet count
• Triglyceride level
• Complete blood count
• White blood cell count: 2. Triglyceride level Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride
levels should be measured before treatment and periodically
thereafter until the effect on the triglycerides has been evaluated.
Options 1, 3, and 4 do not need to be monitored specifically during
this treatment.
• 8.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the
health care provider (HCP) prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse
reviews the client's med- ication record and would contact
the (HCP) if the client is taking which medication?
• Vitamin A
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Furosemide (Lasix)
• Phenytoin (Dilantin): 1. Vitamin A Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized
intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for
