Pharmacology ATI Practice Questions

1. A nurse is preparing to administer warfarin to a client who has a new onset of

atrial fibrillation. The client asks the nurse, “What does this medication do?”

Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

a. “It helps your heart return to a normal rhythm.”

b. “It dissolves blood clots.”

c. “It can reduce your risk of having a stroke.”

d. “It helps to prevent bleeding in atrial fibrillation.”

Rationale: C. The nurse should identify that atrial fibrillation increases the

client’s risk of having a stroke due to clot formation in the atrium. Warfarin

can prevent clot formation when used long term, which will reduce the

client’s risk of having a stroke.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes insipidus. Which of the

following laboratory values should the nurse identify as reflecting a

contraindication to receiving vasopressin to treat this disorder?

a. Sodium 152 mEq/L

b. Potassium 6.0 mEq/L

c. Creatinine clearance 50 mL/min

d. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 52 units/L

Rationale: C. Creatinine clearance should be above 87 mL/min for female

clients and above 107 mL/min for male clients. A creatinine clearance of 50

mL/min indicates renal impairment and is a contraindication to receiving

vasopressin. Renal impairment increases the likelihood of the lifethreatening adverse effect of water intoxication

3. A nurse is reviewing the medication history of a client who has mild

intermittent asthma. The nurse should anticipate a prescription for which of the

following inhalers for the client?

a. Ipratropium

b. Albuterol sulfate

c. Tiotropium

d. Budesonide 

Rationale: B. The nurse should anticipate a client who has mild intermittent

asthma to be prescribed albuterol sulfate. Albuterol sulfate is a short acting

beta2-agonist that activates beta2-receptors in the smooth muscle of the

lung, allowing the client’s airway and lungs to dilate, thereby relieving

bronchospasm and allowing the client to breathe.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who has a dry nonproductive cough. Which of the

following types of medication should the nurse recommend?

a. Expectorant

b. Mucolytic

c. Bronchodilator

d. Antitussive

Rationale: D. Antitussives suppress the cough reflex. Expectorants help

mobilize secretions. Mucolytics help liquefy secretions.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is taking oral furosemide

40 mg daily. For which of the following adverse effects should the client be

taught to monitor and notify the provider if it occurs?

a. Nasal congestion

b. Tremors

c. Tinnitus

d. Frontal headache

Rationale: C. Loop diuretics such as furosemide can cause ototoxicity. The

client should be taught to notify the provider if tinnitus, a full feeling in the

ears, or hearing loss occurs.

6. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving terbutaline to suppress preterm

labor. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the

client is experiencing an adverse effect of the medication?

a. BP 132/84 mmHg

b. Blood glucose 106 mg/dL

c. Decreased deep tendon reflexes

d. Maternal heart rate >120/min