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ATI Respiratory Pharmacology Practice Exam
Preparation With Complete Questions And Correct
Answers With Rationales Already Graded A+ Brand
New Version!!
Question 1
A patient with acute bronchospasm is prescribed a short-acting beta2-
agonist. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Salmeterol
B. Formoterol
C. Albuterol
D. Tiotropium
Answer: C. Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is the prototypical short-acting beta2-agonist
(SABA) used for rapid relief of acute bronchospasm in conditions like
asthma and COPD. It works by stimulating beta2-adrenergic receptors
in bronchial smooth muscle, causing bronchodilation within 5–15
minutes. Salmeterol and Formoterol are long-acting beta2-agonists
(LABAs) used for maintenance therapy, not acute relief. Tiotropium is a
long-acting anticholinergic used primarily for COPD maintenance.
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Question 2
A patient with COPD reports using a medication that "opens the
airways" and has been prescribed for once-daily use. The nurse
identifies this medication as:
A. Albuterol
B. Ipratropium
C. Tiotropium
D. Theophylline
Answer: C. Tiotropium
Rationale: Tiotropium is a long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator
administered once daily for maintenance treatment of COPD. It blocks
acetylcholine receptors in bronchial smooth muscle, causing prolonged
bronchodilation lasting 24 hours. Ipratropium is a short-acting
anticholinergic requiring more frequent dosing. Albuterol is a SABA, and
Theophylline is a methylxanthine requiring serum monitoring.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a patient who has been prescribed an inhaled
corticosteroid for asthma management. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A. Use the medication as a rescue inhaler during acute attacks
B. Rinse the mouth with water after each use
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach
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D. Avoid eating for 1 hour after use
Answer: B. Rinse the mouth with water after each use
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide, fluticasone,
beclomethasone) can cause oral candidiasis (thrush) due to local
immunosuppressive effects. Rinsing the mouth with water after each
use and spitting it out reduces the risk of fungal overgrowth. These
medications are for maintenance therapy, not acute symptom relief.
Question 4
A patient is prescribed theophylline for COPD management. Which
laboratory value requires the closest monitoring by the nurse?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum theophylline level
C. Serum glucose
D. Serum creatinine
Answer: B. Serum theophylline level
Rationale: Theophylline has a narrow therapeutic index (10–20
mcg/mL). Levels above 20 mcg/mL can cause toxicity manifested by
nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, and seizures.
Serum levels must be monitored regularly to maintain therapeutic
efficacy while avoiding toxicity.
Question 5
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A nurse is caring for a patient who has been prescribed ipratropium.
Which adverse effect is most commonly associated with this
medication?
A. Tachycardia
B. Dry mouth
C. Tremors
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B. Dry mouth
Rationale: Ipratropium is an anticholinergic bronchodilator.
Anticholinergic effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary
retention, and constipation. Tachycardia and tremors are more
commonly associated with beta2-agonists. Hyperglycemia is associated
with corticosteroids.
Question 6
A patient with asthma is prescribed montelukast. The nurse should
explain that this medication works by:
A. Relaxing bronchial smooth muscle via beta2-receptor stimulation
B. Blocking leukotriene receptors to reduce inflammation and
bronchoconstriction
C. Inhibiting mast cell degranulation
D. Increasing cyclic AMP levels in bronchial cells
ATI Respiratory Pharmacology Practice Exam
Preparation With Complete Questions And Correct
Answers With Rationales Already Graded A+ Brand
New Version!!
Question 1
A patient with acute bronchospasm is prescribed a short-acting beta2-
agonist. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Salmeterol
B. Formoterol
C. Albuterol
D. Tiotropium
Answer: C. Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is the prototypical short-acting beta2-agonist
(SABA) used for rapid relief of acute bronchospasm in conditions like
asthma and COPD. It works by stimulating beta2-adrenergic receptors
in bronchial smooth muscle, causing bronchodilation within 5–15
minutes. Salmeterol and Formoterol are long-acting beta2-agonists
(LABAs) used for maintenance therapy, not acute relief. Tiotropium is a
long-acting anticholinergic used primarily for COPD maintenance.
,2|Page
Question 2
A patient with COPD reports using a medication that "opens the
airways" and has been prescribed for once-daily use. The nurse
identifies this medication as:
A. Albuterol
B. Ipratropium
C. Tiotropium
D. Theophylline
Answer: C. Tiotropium
Rationale: Tiotropium is a long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator
administered once daily for maintenance treatment of COPD. It blocks
acetylcholine receptors in bronchial smooth muscle, causing prolonged
bronchodilation lasting 24 hours. Ipratropium is a short-acting
anticholinergic requiring more frequent dosing. Albuterol is a SABA, and
Theophylline is a methylxanthine requiring serum monitoring.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a patient who has been prescribed an inhaled
corticosteroid for asthma management. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A. Use the medication as a rescue inhaler during acute attacks
B. Rinse the mouth with water after each use
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach
,3|Page
D. Avoid eating for 1 hour after use
Answer: B. Rinse the mouth with water after each use
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide, fluticasone,
beclomethasone) can cause oral candidiasis (thrush) due to local
immunosuppressive effects. Rinsing the mouth with water after each
use and spitting it out reduces the risk of fungal overgrowth. These
medications are for maintenance therapy, not acute symptom relief.
Question 4
A patient is prescribed theophylline for COPD management. Which
laboratory value requires the closest monitoring by the nurse?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum theophylline level
C. Serum glucose
D. Serum creatinine
Answer: B. Serum theophylline level
Rationale: Theophylline has a narrow therapeutic index (10–20
mcg/mL). Levels above 20 mcg/mL can cause toxicity manifested by
nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, and seizures.
Serum levels must be monitored regularly to maintain therapeutic
efficacy while avoiding toxicity.
Question 5
, 4|Page
A nurse is caring for a patient who has been prescribed ipratropium.
Which adverse effect is most commonly associated with this
medication?
A. Tachycardia
B. Dry mouth
C. Tremors
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B. Dry mouth
Rationale: Ipratropium is an anticholinergic bronchodilator.
Anticholinergic effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary
retention, and constipation. Tachycardia and tremors are more
commonly associated with beta2-agonists. Hyperglycemia is associated
with corticosteroids.
Question 6
A patient with asthma is prescribed montelukast. The nurse should
explain that this medication works by:
A. Relaxing bronchial smooth muscle via beta2-receptor stimulation
B. Blocking leukotriene receptors to reduce inflammation and
bronchoconstriction
C. Inhibiting mast cell degranulation
D. Increasing cyclic AMP levels in bronchial cells
