ATI Pharmacology: Week 4 Study Guide - Respiratory and Anti-
Infectives 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A patient is prescribed Albuterol for exercise-induced bronchospasm. Which
instruction should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Take the medication 30 minutes after exercise.
B. This medication is for long-term control of asthma.
C. Limit fluid intake while taking this medication.
D. Wait 1 minute between inhalations of the same medication.
Answer: D
Rationale: Waiting 1 minute between puffs allows for better bronchodilation and
distribution of the second puff. Albuterol is a short-acting beta agonist used before
exercise, not after.
2. A nurse is monitoring a patient receiving Theophylline IV for status
asthmaticus. Which serum level indicates theophylline toxicity?
A. 5 mcg/mL
B. 12 mcg/mL
C. 18 mcg/mL
D. 25 mcg/mL
Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic range for theophylline is 10 to 20 mcg/mL. Levels above 20
mcg/mL are considered toxic and can cause seizures and dysrhythmias.
,3. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with the use of inhaled
Ipratropium?
A. Dry mouth and hoarseness
B. Excessive salivation
C. Bradycardia
D. Diarrhea
Answer: A
Rationale: Ipratropium is an anticholinergic medication. Common side effects include dry
mouth, hoarseness, and urinary retention.
4. A patient has been prescribed Beclomethasone MDI. What is the most
important action for the nurse to teach the patient to prevent a local infection?
A. Use a spacer with the inhaler.
B. Clean the inhaler mouthpiece once a week.
C. Take a dose only when feeling short of breath.
D. Rinse the mouth with water after each use.
Answer: D
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth after using a glucocorticoid inhaler prevents oropharyngeal
candidiasis (thrush).
5. A patient is taking oral Prednisone for an acute asthma exacerbation. Which
finding should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Weight gain of 1 lb in a week
B. Increased appetite
C. Black, tarry stools
D. Difficulty sleeping
Answer: C
Rationale: Black, tarry stools indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious adverse effect of
glucocorticoids.
, 6. What is the primary therapeutic effect of Montelukast?
A. Immediate relief of an asthma attack
B. Long-term prophylaxis of asthma
C. Liquefying thick secretions
D. Suppression of a dry, hacking cough
Answer: B
Rationale: Montelukast is a leukotriene modifier used for long-term asthma management
and prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm; it is not for acute attacks.
7. A nurse is teaching a patient about Guaifenesin. Which instruction is
appropriate?
A. Expect a decrease in urine output.
B. Increase fluid intake to help thin secretions.
C. Take the medication only at bedtime.
D. Avoid driving due to extreme sedation.
Answer: B
Rationale: Guaifenesin is an expectorant; increasing fluid intake helps the medication thin
and loosen bronchial secretions.
8. Acetylcysteine is used for which of the following conditions besides being a
mucolytic?
A. Morphine overdose
B. Heparin overdose
C. Digitalis toxicity
D. Acetaminophen toxicity
Answer: D
Rationale: Acetylcysteine is the specific antidote for acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose.
Infectives 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A patient is prescribed Albuterol for exercise-induced bronchospasm. Which
instruction should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Take the medication 30 minutes after exercise.
B. This medication is for long-term control of asthma.
C. Limit fluid intake while taking this medication.
D. Wait 1 minute between inhalations of the same medication.
Answer: D
Rationale: Waiting 1 minute between puffs allows for better bronchodilation and
distribution of the second puff. Albuterol is a short-acting beta agonist used before
exercise, not after.
2. A nurse is monitoring a patient receiving Theophylline IV for status
asthmaticus. Which serum level indicates theophylline toxicity?
A. 5 mcg/mL
B. 12 mcg/mL
C. 18 mcg/mL
D. 25 mcg/mL
Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic range for theophylline is 10 to 20 mcg/mL. Levels above 20
mcg/mL are considered toxic and can cause seizures and dysrhythmias.
,3. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with the use of inhaled
Ipratropium?
A. Dry mouth and hoarseness
B. Excessive salivation
C. Bradycardia
D. Diarrhea
Answer: A
Rationale: Ipratropium is an anticholinergic medication. Common side effects include dry
mouth, hoarseness, and urinary retention.
4. A patient has been prescribed Beclomethasone MDI. What is the most
important action for the nurse to teach the patient to prevent a local infection?
A. Use a spacer with the inhaler.
B. Clean the inhaler mouthpiece once a week.
C. Take a dose only when feeling short of breath.
D. Rinse the mouth with water after each use.
Answer: D
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth after using a glucocorticoid inhaler prevents oropharyngeal
candidiasis (thrush).
5. A patient is taking oral Prednisone for an acute asthma exacerbation. Which
finding should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Weight gain of 1 lb in a week
B. Increased appetite
C. Black, tarry stools
D. Difficulty sleeping
Answer: C
Rationale: Black, tarry stools indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious adverse effect of
glucocorticoids.
, 6. What is the primary therapeutic effect of Montelukast?
A. Immediate relief of an asthma attack
B. Long-term prophylaxis of asthma
C. Liquefying thick secretions
D. Suppression of a dry, hacking cough
Answer: B
Rationale: Montelukast is a leukotriene modifier used for long-term asthma management
and prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm; it is not for acute attacks.
7. A nurse is teaching a patient about Guaifenesin. Which instruction is
appropriate?
A. Expect a decrease in urine output.
B. Increase fluid intake to help thin secretions.
C. Take the medication only at bedtime.
D. Avoid driving due to extreme sedation.
Answer: B
Rationale: Guaifenesin is an expectorant; increasing fluid intake helps the medication thin
and loosen bronchial secretions.
8. Acetylcysteine is used for which of the following conditions besides being a
mucolytic?
A. Morphine overdose
B. Heparin overdose
C. Digitalis toxicity
D. Acetaminophen toxicity
Answer: D
Rationale: Acetylcysteine is the specific antidote for acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose.
