ATI Pharmacology Proctored Exam Study Guide | Medication Administration, Conversions & Dosage Calculations

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ATI Pharmacology Proctored Exam Study Guide

6 Rights of Medication Administration

 Right patient, drug, dose, route, time, and documentation.

Metric Conversions

 Length:
o 1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm)
o 1 cm = 10 millimeters (mm)
o 1 m = 1,000 millimeters (mm)
 Weight:
o 1 kilogram (kg) = 1,000 grams (g)
o 1 g = 1,000 milligrams (mg)
o 1 mg = 1,000 micrograms (mcg)
 Volume:
o 1 liter (L) = 1,000 milliliters (mL)
o 1 mL = 1 cubic centimeter (cc)




Temperature Conversions

 Celsius to Fahrenheit:
o F=(C×9/5)+32F = (C \times 9/5) + 32F=(C×9/5)+32
 Fahrenheit to Celsius:
o C=(F−32)×5/9C = (F - 32) \times 5/9C=(F−32)×5/9

Common Conversions

 Weight:
o 1 kg = 2.2 pounds (lb)
o 1 lb = 0.45 kg
 Volume:
o 1 ounce (oz) = 30 mL
o 1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 mL
o 1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 15 mL

5Common Abbreviations

 Units: "U" (e.g., insulin units)
 Daily: "QD" (quaque die)
 Every other day: "QOD" (quaque altera die)
 Before meals: "AC" (ante cibum)




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 After meals: "PC" (post cibum)

Cardiovascular Drugs

 Antihypertensives:
o ACE Inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril):
 Adverse Effects: Persistent dry cough, hyperkalemia, angioedema (rare
but life-threatening).
o ARBs (e.g., losartan):
 Adverse Effects: Hyperkalemia, hypotension, dizziness. Less likely to
cause cough than ACE inhibitors.
o Beta-Blockers (e.g., metoprolol):
 Adverse Effects: Bradycardia, hypotension, fatigue, erectile dysfunction.
Caution in asthma due to potential bronchoconstriction.
o Calcium Channel Blockers (e.g., amlodipine):
 Adverse Effects: Peripheral edema, constipation, dizziness, bradycardia.
 Diuretics:
o Loop Diuretics (e.g., furosemide):
 Adverse Effects: Hypokalemia, dehydration, ototoxicity (high doses),
hypotension.
o Thiazide Diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide):
 Adverse Effects: Hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia (can
precipitate gout).
o Potassium-Sparing Diuretics (e.g., spironolactone):
 Adverse Effects: Hyperkalemia, gynecomastia (in men), menstrual
irregularities.
 Anticoagulants:
o Heparin:
 Adverse Effects: Bleeding, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT),
osteoporosis (long-term use).
o Warfarin:
 Adverse Effects: Bleeding, skin necrosis, teratogenic (not safe in
pregnancy).
o Enoxaparin (LMWH):
 Adverse Effects: Bleeding, thrombocytopenia (less common than with
unfractionated heparin).
 Antiarrhythmics:
o Amiodarone:
 Adverse Effects: Pulmonary toxicity, liver toxicity, thyroid dysfunction
(hypo- or hyperthyroidism), corneal deposits, skin discoloration (blue-gray
skin with long-term use).
o Digoxin:
 Adverse Effects: Digoxin toxicity (nausea, vomiting, yellow/green vision
changes, arrhythmias), bradycardia. Monitor for hypokalemia, which
increases toxicity risk.




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Respiratory Drugs

 Bronchodilators:
o Beta-2 Agonists (e.g., albuterol):
 Adverse Effects: Tachycardia, tremors, jitteriness, hypokalemia with high
doses, palpitations.
o Anticholinergics (e.g., ipratropium):
 Adverse Effects: Dry mouth, hoarseness, urinary retention, increased
intraocular pressure (caution in glaucoma).
 Corticosteroids:
o Inhaled (e.g., fluticasone):
 Adverse Effects: Oral candidiasis (thrush), hoarseness. Rinse mouth after
use.
o Systemic (e.g., prednisone):
 Adverse Effects: Hyperglycemia, weight gain, osteoporosis, Cushing's
syndrome (long-term use), adrenal suppression, immunosuppression.
 Leukotriene Modifiers:
o Montelukast:
 Adverse Effects: Headache, dizziness, suicidal thoughts (rare), mood
changes, liver dysfunction (rare).




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