ATI Pharmacology 2026

Flashcards with questions/information accumulated with studying for ATI's pharmacology exam.

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving nitroglycerin IV and is switching to the oral form of the medication. The nurse should identify that the oral dose will be higher than the IV dose for which of the following reasons?

The oral form has decreased bioavailability because of the first-pass effect.

What is the first-pass effect?

A process where the concentration of an oral drug is greatly reduced before it reaches the rest of the body. This happens because the medicine passes through the gut wall and the liver first, where enzymes break it down. As a result, less active drug enters the blood.

A nurse is speaking to a client who is taking sertraline and reports drinking grapefruit juice. The nurse explains that grapefruit juice inhibits an enzyme in the liver that is used to metabolize sertraline. The nurse should recognize the client's risk for which of the following?

Medication toxicity

A nurse is caring for a client in an emergency department. Which findings indicates an anaphylactic reaction?

Low blood pressure, wheezing, difficulty swallowing

A nurse is caring for a client who is postpartum and breastfeeding. The client asks the nurse about the effects that taking over-the-counter medications will have on her newborn. What should the nurse consider when recommending a medication for the client?

The newborn’s weight, how much breast milk the newborn consumes each day, whether or not the benefits to the client outweigh the risks to the newborn, properties of the medication

Magnesium sulfate is used during preterm labor to do what?

Relax smooth muscle of uterus to reduce contractions

Terbutaline is used during preterm labor to do what?

Relax smooth muscle of uterus to reduce contractions

Betamethasone is used during preterm labor to do what?
At what week?

<34 weeks. Enhances fetal lung maturity which decreases risk of respiratory distress syndrome in preemies.

What is the primary expected finding after using atropine during an eye exam?

Blurred vision

Why should you increase water intake with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole? How much should you intake?

Increase intake to decrease risk of kidney damage from crystallization.
Increase intake to 1920-2400 mL

What is the normal range for magnesium?

1.9 - 2.2

Pt dx w/ exercise induced asthma. What to take before exercise? Why?

Cromolyn: 10-15 minutes before.
Why? Prevent bronchospasms by inhibiting histamines.

Gentamycin needs help if…

• Increased BUN & Creatinine

• Urine output under 30 mL w/ dark amber color

  • Nephrotoxic!

What type of medication is gentamycin? What is it toxic to?

Aminoglycosides - Nephrotoxic

What is the expected finding after 4 weeks of propylthiouracil use? Why?

Decreased HR; Used to treat hyperthyroidism

What is a threatening possible side effect of fluphenazine?

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Dantrolene and bromocriptine can be used to treat what symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome?

Muscle rigidity & increased temperature

What medication can be used to prevent delirium tremens in alcohol withdrawal syndrome?

Chlordiazepoxide

What are common side effects of sumatriptin?

Pressure in chest/arm heaviness & fatigue

How long should it take until sumatriptan begins to work? Can/when do you take a 2nd dose?

To work: 1 hour; Can take another if no relief in 2 hours

What deficiency can cause personality changes?

Hypomagnesemia

What medication is typically used in colonoscopy prep?

Polyethylene glycol

Why do we use diazepam in acute cocaine toxicity?

Decrease anxiety & agitation. Can alleviate hypertension and dysrrhythmias

What form of pain relief can be taken if you are on fluoxentine?

Tylenol! NO IBU

Is gastric upset a concern with furosemide?

Yes

What tricyclic antidepressant typically causes dry mouth?

amitriptyline

What inhalant general anesthetic can cause decreased urine output?

Isoflurane

Neostigmine can cause what side effect of the eye?

Miosis (pupillary constriction)

What VS should one monitor with epoetin alfa?

BP

Does gentamycin require trough levels?

Yes

What is the desired effect of eplerenone?

Decrease BP

Which condition is a contraindication for metoclopramide?

Intestinal Obstruction

What type of medication is a cromolyn sodium inhaler?

Mast cell inhibitor

Respiratory depression can occur ___ minutes after administration of morphine.

7

Which of these medications is used for preterm labor: Oxytocin, Nifedipine, Dinoprostone, Misoprostol

Nifedipine

Valproic acid can be toxic to which organ?

Liver

What blood/clotting-related lab should we monitor with valproic acid?

PTT - can alter coagulation

What does gemfibrozil do? (mechanism of action + goal)

↓ liver’s uptake of fatty acids → ↓ triglycerides

What lab value should we watch with a patient on gemfibrozil?

Liver function - can be hepatoxic

Which of these are an adverse effect of prednisone?

Stress Fractures

Ergotamine treats what condition?

Migraine Headaches

Enalapril can cause which of these adverse effects?

Hypotension

A patient dx w/ cirrhosis in given rx for lactulose. Which of these is the intended therapeutic effect?

↓ Ammonia Levels

Patient w/ new rx for chlorpromazine to treat schizophrenia. Pt has mask-like facial expression & involuntary movements/tremors. Which medication should we anticipate administering?

Amantadine

Rx zolpidem @ bedtime to promote sleep. Monitor for which adverse effect?

Dizziness

IV gentamicin TID. Which is an adverse effect of this medication?

Proteinuria

New rx for amitriptyline to treat depression. Which diagnostic tests should we perform prior to starting the medication?

Electrocardiogram

New rx - tamoxifen. Desired therapeutic effect?

Antiestrogenic

Severe allergy to which medications is a contraindication to ceftriaxone?

Piperacillin

New rx for amphotericin B. Monitor for what adverse effect?

Nephrotoxicity

What class of medication do we NOT use as a pain killer in those with peptic ulcer disease?

NSAID

What is the expected reference range for aPTT of someone who is on a continuous IV heparin drip?

60-80 seconds

Filgrastim is meant to ↑ count of what type of blood cell?

Neutrophil

Teaching a patient w/ a UTI & new rx for phenazopyridine & ciprofloxacin. Which statement indicates need for further teaching?

"I should notify my provider immediately if my urine turns an orange color."

Teaching ulcerative colitis patient about new rx for sulfasalazine. Patient should monitor for what adverse effect of this medication?

Jaundice

Teaching gout patient about new rx for allopurinol. Instruct patient to d/c medication for which adverse effect?

Fever

Preparing to administer alendronate 40 mg PO for patient w/ Paget's disease of the bone. Which action should be priority?

Ambulate the client to a chair prior to administering the medication.

What is a possible side effect of propanolol?

Bronchospasm

Mechanism of Action - Docusate Sodium

Reduce surface tension of stools to change consistency

What supplement can you NOT take with clopidogrel?

Garlic

What are contraindications for metoprolol?

2nd degree heart block, bradycardia, hypotension

Which is an adverse effect of phenytoin?

Gingival Hyperplasia

Which is an adverse effect of phenytoin?

Nystagmus

What are contraindications to sumatriptan?

Uncontrolled BP, use of MAOI, peripheral artery disease

Which is an adverse effect of digoxin?

yellow-tinged vision

What is an important instruction for risedronate?

Sit upright for 30 minutes post-administration

What lab do we monitor in a patient on clozapine?

WBC w/ neutrophil count

What class of medication is diltiazem?

Calcium Channel Blocker

Which vital sign should be checked prior to administering diltiazem?

HR

Which is an adverse effect of enalapril?

Hyperkalemia

What is an adverse effect of amiodarone?

Photosensitivity

Hydroxyzine can commonly cause what adverse effect?

Dry Mouth

Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the patient is dehydrated?

Urine specific gravity 1.035

Preparing a discharge teaching plan for asthma patient who is to begin long-term oral prednisone. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the plan?

Schedule to medication on alternate days to decrease adverse effects

A nurse is providing teaching to a patient with hypertension & type 1 diabetes mellitus - new rx for metoprolol. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

"I might have difficulty recognizing when my blood sugar is low."

Planning to administer epoetin alfa, which of the following data should the nurse plan to review prior to administration?

Blood Pressure

A nurse is planning care for a female patient who has severe IBS-D & a new rx for alosetron. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

The client must sign an agreement with the provider before beginning alosetron.

A nurse is preparing to administer iron dextran IV. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Administer a small test dose before giving the full dose.

A nurse is providing teaching to T2DM patient & new rx for metformin. Which adverse effect of metformin should the nurse instruct the patient to report to the provider?

Myalgia

Saw palmetto is a supplement used by patients to elicit what therapeutic effect?

Urinary Health Promotion

How does nifedipine help treat pre-term labor?

inhibits uterine contractions by blocking entry of calcium into uterine cells

A nurse is assessing a patient who takes oral theophylline for relief of chronic bronchitis. We should recognize that which finding indicates toxicity to theophylline?

Tremors

Patient overdosed on heroin. Which finding should the nurse expect to assess?

Pinpoint Pupils

Patient who has been hospitalized for MDD & has rx for amitriptyline. Which of the statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

"I will move slowly when I stand up because amitriptyline can cause my blood pressure to decrease."

Which finding should the nurse expect to assess during administration of adenosine?

Dyspnea

Planning discharge teaching MDD patient & new rx for phenelzine. Which food should the nurse include as safe for the client to consume while taking phenelzine?

Fresh Meats - ie Broiled Beef Steak

A few hours after admission, alcohol use disorder patient develops restlessness & tremors. Which medication should we anticipate administering first?

Chlordiazepoxide

Administering insulin glulisine at 0730 to T1DM patient. Anticipate onset of the insulin at what time?

0745

Preparing to administer oxytocin to a patient experiencing ineffective labor. Which action should the nurse plan to take?

Increase the dose of oxytocin to obtain uterine contractions that occur every 2 to 3 min

Discharge teaching to heart failure patient & rx for digoxin 0.125 mg PO daily & furosemide 20 mg PO daily. Which statement indicates an understanding of the teaching?

"I will eat fruits and vegetables that have high potassium content every day."

Which laboratory value should be monitored while taking isoniazid?

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

Isoniazid is used to treat what condition?

Tuberculosis

Isoniazid can be toxic to which organ?

Liver

Discharge teaching about lithium toxicity. Which statement indicates understanding of the teaching?

"I can develop lithium toxicity if I experience vomiting or diarrhea."

Teaching to a hypertension patient w/ new rx for oral clonidine. Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching?

Avoid driving until the client's reaction to the medication is known.