1
ATI Respiratory Pharmacological
Therapies| Full Exam Guide| 2025/2026|
Approved with Correct Answers
A nurse gives a patient albuterol via nebulizer. What’s one thing the nurse should watch for after
the dose?
Albuterol can cause increased heart rate, so the nurse should check for tachycardia after the
treatment.
A patient using a corticosteroid inhaler complains about a sore mouth. What likely caused this,
and how can it be prevented?
It's probably oral thrush from not rinsing after inhaling. Rinsing the mouth with water after
using the inhaler can help stop that.
Why might a patient on long-term prednisone therapy need extra education before stopping it
suddenly?
Stopping prednisone suddenly can cause adrenal insufficiency. The body needs time to start
making its own cortisol again.
A nurse is giving ipratropium to a COPD patient. What should the nurse ask about allergies first?
Ask if they're allergic to peanuts or soy lecithin—some ipratropium inhalers have soy-based
propellants.
, 2
A patient has just taken theophylline. What side effect might show the dose is too high?
Nausea, restlessness, or even seizures can mean toxicity. Theophylline has a narrow safety
range.
A patient is on montelukast for asthma control. When should this med be taken for it to work
best?
It should be taken in the evening, once a day, even when the person feels fine. It’s for long-
term control.
Why should a nurse teach a patient to use a bronchodilator before an inhaled steroid?
The bronchodilator opens the airways, so the steroid can get deeper into the lungs and work
better.
A patient with pneumonia gets guaifenesin. What should the nurse remind them to do while on
this med?
Drink lots of fluids. It helps loosen up mucus so they can cough it out easier.
A nurse gives codeine to a patient with a dry cough. What should the nurse watch for that could
be risky?
Check for respiratory depression. Codeine is an opioid, so it can slow breathing, especially in
older adults.
, 3
What’s a key nursing consideration before giving diphenhydramine to an older adult with
allergies?
It can cause confusion or drowsiness in the elderly, so watch for fall risk or worsening
memory.
A nurse is giving a mucolytic (like acetylcysteine). What should they tell the patient about the
smell?
It might smell like rotten eggs, which is normal for that med. Just warn them so they’re not
surprised.
Why shouldn't a patient use salmeterol for an asthma attack?
It’s a long-acting beta-agonist, not for quick relief. It won’t help fast enough during an
attack.
If a COPD patient is prescribed a corticosteroid inhaler, what should the nurse say about
infection risk?
Inhaled steroids can suppress local immunity, so remind them to rinse their mouth and watch
for thrush.
A nurse sees that a patient on theophylline has been drinking a lot of coffee. What’s the concern?
Caffeine can increase the effects of theophylline, raising the risk of side effects like tremors
or insomnia.
, 4
A patient using multiple inhalers asks what order to use them in. What’s the correct order?
Use the bronchodilator first, wait a few minutes, then use the steroid inhaler last so it can
work better.
A nurse gives cromolyn sodium for asthma prevention. What should they explain about how fast
it works?
It doesn’t work right away. It needs to be used regularly to prevent symptoms, not treat them.
A patient using dextromethorphan wants to drive afterward. What should the nurse say?
It might cause drowsiness, so they should be careful or avoid driving until they know how it
affects them.
What’s a reason a nurse might hold a dose of pseudoephedrine in a patient with high blood
pressure?
Pseudoephedrine can raise BP, so it’s not great for people with hypertension—it could make
it worse.
Why should a nurse monitor glucose in a diabetic patient taking systemic corticosteroids?
Steroids can raise blood sugar levels, so the patient might need their insulin adjusted.
ATI Respiratory Pharmacological
Therapies| Full Exam Guide| 2025/2026|
Approved with Correct Answers
A nurse gives a patient albuterol via nebulizer. What’s one thing the nurse should watch for after
the dose?
Albuterol can cause increased heart rate, so the nurse should check for tachycardia after the
treatment.
A patient using a corticosteroid inhaler complains about a sore mouth. What likely caused this,
and how can it be prevented?
It's probably oral thrush from not rinsing after inhaling. Rinsing the mouth with water after
using the inhaler can help stop that.
Why might a patient on long-term prednisone therapy need extra education before stopping it
suddenly?
Stopping prednisone suddenly can cause adrenal insufficiency. The body needs time to start
making its own cortisol again.
A nurse is giving ipratropium to a COPD patient. What should the nurse ask about allergies first?
Ask if they're allergic to peanuts or soy lecithin—some ipratropium inhalers have soy-based
propellants.
, 2
A patient has just taken theophylline. What side effect might show the dose is too high?
Nausea, restlessness, or even seizures can mean toxicity. Theophylline has a narrow safety
range.
A patient is on montelukast for asthma control. When should this med be taken for it to work
best?
It should be taken in the evening, once a day, even when the person feels fine. It’s for long-
term control.
Why should a nurse teach a patient to use a bronchodilator before an inhaled steroid?
The bronchodilator opens the airways, so the steroid can get deeper into the lungs and work
better.
A patient with pneumonia gets guaifenesin. What should the nurse remind them to do while on
this med?
Drink lots of fluids. It helps loosen up mucus so they can cough it out easier.
A nurse gives codeine to a patient with a dry cough. What should the nurse watch for that could
be risky?
Check for respiratory depression. Codeine is an opioid, so it can slow breathing, especially in
older adults.
, 3
What’s a key nursing consideration before giving diphenhydramine to an older adult with
allergies?
It can cause confusion or drowsiness in the elderly, so watch for fall risk or worsening
memory.
A nurse is giving a mucolytic (like acetylcysteine). What should they tell the patient about the
smell?
It might smell like rotten eggs, which is normal for that med. Just warn them so they’re not
surprised.
Why shouldn't a patient use salmeterol for an asthma attack?
It’s a long-acting beta-agonist, not for quick relief. It won’t help fast enough during an
attack.
If a COPD patient is prescribed a corticosteroid inhaler, what should the nurse say about
infection risk?
Inhaled steroids can suppress local immunity, so remind them to rinse their mouth and watch
for thrush.
A nurse sees that a patient on theophylline has been drinking a lot of coffee. What’s the concern?
Caffeine can increase the effects of theophylline, raising the risk of side effects like tremors
or insomnia.
, 4
A patient using multiple inhalers asks what order to use them in. What’s the correct order?
Use the bronchodilator first, wait a few minutes, then use the steroid inhaler last so it can
work better.
A nurse gives cromolyn sodium for asthma prevention. What should they explain about how fast
it works?
It doesn’t work right away. It needs to be used regularly to prevent symptoms, not treat them.
A patient using dextromethorphan wants to drive afterward. What should the nurse say?
It might cause drowsiness, so they should be careful or avoid driving until they know how it
affects them.
What’s a reason a nurse might hold a dose of pseudoephedrine in a patient with high blood
pressure?
Pseudoephedrine can raise BP, so it’s not great for people with hypertension—it could make
it worse.
Why should a nurse monitor glucose in a diabetic patient taking systemic corticosteroids?
Steroids can raise blood sugar levels, so the patient might need their insulin adjusted.
