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ATI Pharmacology Test A Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is one major side effect of opioid medications?✔✔Respiratory depression
What should be assessed before administering digoxin?✔✔Apical pulse
Why is insulin not given orally?✔✔It is broken down in the digestive tract and becomes ineffective
What condition is albuterol typically used to treat?✔✔Asthma or bronchospasm
What symptom often indicates digoxin toxicity?✔✔Visual disturbances such as seeing halos or yellow vision
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Why must patients avoid grapefruit juice with certain medications?✔✔It can interfere with liver enzymes and increase drug levels
What is the primary purpose of administering a loading dose of a medication?✔✔To quickly achieve a therapeutic concentration in the bloodstream
What organ is primarily responsible for metabolizing most medications?✔✔The liver
Which organ is mainly responsible for excreting drugs from the body?✔✔The kidneys
Why should some medications be taken with food?✔✔To reduce gastrointestinal irritation and enhance absorption
What term refers to the time it takes for a drug’s plasma concentration to reduce by half?✔✔Half-life
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Why is it important to complete an entire course of antibiotics?✔✔To prevent resistance and ensure all bacteria are eliminated
What is the term for an unexpected, abnormal reaction to a medication?✔✔Idiosyncratic reaction
What should a nurse do before giving a medication with a narrow therapeutic index?✔✔Check drug levels and assess for signs of toxicity
Why are elderly patients more at risk for drug toxicity?✔✔Because of decreased kidney and liver function
What does the term "polypharmacy" refer to?✔✔The use of multiple medications by a patient, often unnecessarily
What is the intended effect of an antihypertensive drug?✔✔To lower blood pressure
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What type of medication is commonly used to reduce inflammation?✔✔Corticosteroids
Why are enteric-coated tablets not to be crushed?✔✔They are designed to dissolve in the intestines, not the stomach
What is the most common route of drug administration?✔✔Oral
What is the term for a drug that binds to a receptor and activates it?✔✔Agonist
What is the term for a drug that blocks or dampens a receptor’s action?✔✔Antagonist
Why must warfarin levels be monitored regularly?✔✔To prevent bleeding complications due to its narrow therapeutic range
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