NCLEX ALH 2202 EXAM 2 General Pharmacology

ALH 2202-General Pharmacology

Exam 2-NCLEX practice questions

CHAPTER 18

The nurse has a prescription to infuse dobutamine (Dobutrex) intravenously at 3 mcg/kg/min in a pediatric patient with cardiac decompensation. The patient's weight is 77 lb. What is the correct dosage to administer?

a)      105 mcg/min

Ø  The patient's weight of 77 lb is converted to kilograms by dividing 77 by 2.2, which equals 35 kg. 3 mcg/kg/min multiplied by 35 kg equals 105 mcg/min.

The nurse has a prescription to infuse dopamine (Intropin) intravenously at 30 mcg/kg/min in an adult patient for cardiopulmonary arrest. If the patient weighs 143 lb, what is the correct dosage to administer?

a)      1950 mcg/min

Ø  The patient's weight of 143 lb is converted to kilograms by dividing 143 by 2.2, which equals 65 kg. When 65 kg is multiplied by 30 mcg/kg/min, the result is 1950 mcg/min.

The health care provider has prescribed dopamine (Intropin) to treat the patient’s hypovolemic shock secondary to severe blood loss. For the medication to be effective, the health care provider must also prescribe which treatment?

a)      Fluid replacement

Ø  Dopamine increases blood pressure secondary to vasoconstriction, which has a limited effect if there is not enough volume within the circulatory system.

b)      Temporary pacing

c)       Beta-stimulating drugs

d)      Induced hypothermia

A patient weighing 176 lb is to receive a dopamine (Intropin) continuous intravenous (IV) infusion at 5 mcg/kg/min. The solution strength available is dopamine 400 mg in 500 mL D5W. The nurse will infuse the medication at which rate?

a)      30 mL/hr

Ø  The patient’s weight of 176 lb is converted to kilograms by dividing 176 by 2.2, which equals 80 kg. 5 mcg/kg/min multiplied by 80 kg equals 400 mcg, or 0.4 mg/min. Dividing 0.4 mg/min by 400 mg/500 mL = 0.5 mL/min, which when multiplied by 60 minutes = 30 mL/hour.

b)      50 mL/hr

c)       40 mL/hr

d)      20 mL/hr

When assessing for cardiovascular effects of an adrenergic (sympathomimetic) drug, the nurse understands that these drugs produce which effect on the heart?

a)      A positive inotropic, positive chronotropic, and positive dromotropic effect

Ø  Adrenergic stimulation of the beta1-adrenergic receptors on the myocardium and in the conduction system of the heart results in an increased heart rate (positive chronotropic effect), increased contractility (positive inotropic effect), and increased conductivity (positive dromotropic effect).

b)      A positive inotropic, negative chronotropic, and negative dromotropic effect

c)       A negative inotropic, positive chronotropic, and positive dromotropic effect

d)      A negative inotropic, negative chronotropic, and negative dromotropic effect