1
ATI Pharmacology: Respiratory System
Part 2| Exam Questions and Answers|
Verified and Correct 2025/2026 Latest
Update
A nurse is reviewing a patient’s med list and notices they’re on albuterol and propranolol. What’s
the concern here?
Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist and propranolol is a non-selective beta blocker, so they can
cancel each other out. Propranolol might block albuterol’s bronchodilation effect, which is
dangerous in asthma.
A patient using fluticasone (a corticosteroid inhaler) keeps getting mouth sores. What should the
nurse suggest?
Rinse your mouth after each use. It helps prevent oral thrush from the steroid.
A patient on montelukast says they’re still waking up short of breath. What might the nurse ask
next?
Ask if they’re using it daily. Montelukast works best if taken every day, not just when
symptoms show up.
The nurse is giving education about tiotropium. What’s one thing the patient should avoid doing
with this drug?
Don’t swallow the capsule. It’s supposed to be inhaled using a special device.
, 2
A patient using salmeterol says it helps with sudden asthma attacks. What should the nurse
correct?
Salmeterol is a long-acting beta agonist, not for quick relief. They need a short-acting inhaler
for sudden symptoms.
A child is prescribed diphenhydramine for a cough, but the parents say it’s making the kid hyper.
Is that normal?
Yep, kids can get the opposite effect—excitation instead of sedation—with antihistamines
like diphenhydramine.
A patient just started taking theophylline and is complaining of nausea and restlessness. What’s
the priority action?
Check drug levels! Theophylline has a narrow therapeutic range, so toxicity is a big risk.
A nurse gives guaifenesin to a patient with thick mucus. What should the nurse encourage them
to do?
Drink lots of water. It helps thin the mucus so guaifenesin can do its job better.
The patient asks, “Can I take codeine for my cough and still drive to work?” What’s the correct
teaching?
No, codeine can cause drowsiness and slow reflexes. It’s not safe for driving.
, 3
A COPD patient asks why they’re getting ipratropium instead of albuterol. What’s the rationale?
Ipratropium is an anticholinergic and lasts longer, which helps with maintenance in COPD—
not just quick relief.
A nurse sees that a patient with a peanut allergy is prescribed ipratropium. What should they do
first?
Double-check the inhaler brand. Some forms of ipratropium are made with soy/peanut
products—could be a big problem.
A patient taking prednisone for a flare-up asks if they can stop it after 3 days because they feel
better. What’s the response?
No, you need to taper steroids slowly to avoid adrenal issues. Stopping suddenly is risky.
A patient with asthma is having frequent nighttime symptoms even though they use albuterol.
What should be reassessed?
Might need a controller med like an inhaled steroid. Albuterol alone isn’t enough if
symptoms are frequent.
A nurse is giving education about cromolyn. The patient asks why they’re not getting it during an
asthma attack.
Cromolyn is preventative—it stabilizes mast cells, but it won’t stop an active attack.
ATI Pharmacology: Respiratory System
Part 2| Exam Questions and Answers|
Verified and Correct 2025/2026 Latest
Update
A nurse is reviewing a patient’s med list and notices they’re on albuterol and propranolol. What’s
the concern here?
Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist and propranolol is a non-selective beta blocker, so they can
cancel each other out. Propranolol might block albuterol’s bronchodilation effect, which is
dangerous in asthma.
A patient using fluticasone (a corticosteroid inhaler) keeps getting mouth sores. What should the
nurse suggest?
Rinse your mouth after each use. It helps prevent oral thrush from the steroid.
A patient on montelukast says they’re still waking up short of breath. What might the nurse ask
next?
Ask if they’re using it daily. Montelukast works best if taken every day, not just when
symptoms show up.
The nurse is giving education about tiotropium. What’s one thing the patient should avoid doing
with this drug?
Don’t swallow the capsule. It’s supposed to be inhaled using a special device.
, 2
A patient using salmeterol says it helps with sudden asthma attacks. What should the nurse
correct?
Salmeterol is a long-acting beta agonist, not for quick relief. They need a short-acting inhaler
for sudden symptoms.
A child is prescribed diphenhydramine for a cough, but the parents say it’s making the kid hyper.
Is that normal?
Yep, kids can get the opposite effect—excitation instead of sedation—with antihistamines
like diphenhydramine.
A patient just started taking theophylline and is complaining of nausea and restlessness. What’s
the priority action?
Check drug levels! Theophylline has a narrow therapeutic range, so toxicity is a big risk.
A nurse gives guaifenesin to a patient with thick mucus. What should the nurse encourage them
to do?
Drink lots of water. It helps thin the mucus so guaifenesin can do its job better.
The patient asks, “Can I take codeine for my cough and still drive to work?” What’s the correct
teaching?
No, codeine can cause drowsiness and slow reflexes. It’s not safe for driving.
, 3
A COPD patient asks why they’re getting ipratropium instead of albuterol. What’s the rationale?
Ipratropium is an anticholinergic and lasts longer, which helps with maintenance in COPD—
not just quick relief.
A nurse sees that a patient with a peanut allergy is prescribed ipratropium. What should they do
first?
Double-check the inhaler brand. Some forms of ipratropium are made with soy/peanut
products—could be a big problem.
A patient taking prednisone for a flare-up asks if they can stop it after 3 days because they feel
better. What’s the response?
No, you need to taper steroids slowly to avoid adrenal issues. Stopping suddenly is risky.
A patient with asthma is having frequent nighttime symptoms even though they use albuterol.
What should be reassessed?
Might need a controller med like an inhaled steroid. Albuterol alone isn’t enough if
symptoms are frequent.
A nurse is giving education about cromolyn. The patient asks why they’re not getting it during an
asthma attack.
Cromolyn is preventative—it stabilizes mast cells, but it won’t stop an active attack.
