Depressants
Which benzodiazepine is short-acting?
A. Lorazepam (Ativan)
B. Diazepam (Valium)
C. Midazolam (Versed)
D. Clonazepam (Klonopin)
C. Midazolam (Versed)
Which statement best describes the goal of antiepileptic therapy?
A. Cure the patient’s seizure disorder
B. Control or prevent seizures while minimizing adverse effects
C. Eliminate the need for other medications
D. Stop all abnormal brain activity permanently
B. Control or prevent seizures while minimizing adverse effects
The nurse knows that Zolpidem (Ambien) can cause which unusual side effect?
A. Vivid dreams
B. Somnambulation (sleepwalking)
C. Muscle rigidity
D. Hypertension
B. Somnambulation (sleepwalking)
Which statement about Parkinson’s disease is true?
A. It affects women more often than men.
B. Symptoms typically appear before age 30.
C. It is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
D. It causes increased dopamine production.
C. It is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
The term half-life refers to:
A. Time for the drug to reach peak concentration.
B. Time for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body.
C. Duration of drug action.
D. Time before the first dose works.
B. Time for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body.
What is the antidote for benzodiazepine overdose?
A. Naloxone (Narcan)
B. Flumazenil (Romazicon)
C. Physostigmine
D. Atropine
B. Flumazenil (Romazicon)
What is a common hematologic effect of many AEDs?
A. Thrombocytopenia
B. Polycythemia
C. Leukocytosis
D. Eosinophilia
A. Thrombocytopenia
Muscle relaxants act primarily by:
A. Increasing dopamine in the brain
B. Blocking nerve impulses to reduce muscle tone
C. Stimulating acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions
D. Increasing serotonin levels
B. Blocking nerve impulses to reduce muscle tone
The classic symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are remembered by the acronym TRAP. What does this stand for?
A. Tremor, Rigidity, Akinesia, Postural instability
B. Tinnitus, Rigidity, Anxiety, Paralysis
C. Tremor, Reflexes, Apathy, Paralysis
D. Twitching, Restlessness, Atrophy, Pain
A. Tremor, Rigidity, Akinesia, Postural instability
The nurse notes purple discoloration at the IV site during phenytoin infusion. What should the nurse do?
A. Continue the infusion
B. Apply warm compresses
C. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
D. Elevate the arm and recheck later
C. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
Rationale: This indicates Purple Glove Syndrome, a serious complication.
The nurse is reviewing contraindications for benzodiazepines. Which patient is not a candidate for this drug?
A. A patient with asthma
B. A patient with narrow-angle glaucoma
C. A patient with insomnia
D. A patient with hypertension
B. A patient with narrow-angle glaucoma
Which adverse effect of phenytoin (Dilantin) should the nurse monitor for?
A. Bradycardia
B. Gingival hyperplasia
C. Tachypnea
D. Weight gain
B. Gingival hyperplasia
A patient is prescribed Baclofen for multiple sclerosis. The nurse should monitor for which common side effect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Drowsiness
C. Hypertension
D. Tremors
B. Drowsiness
Which drug combination is the most common dopamine replacement therapy?
A. Selegiline and Tolcapone
B. Levodopa-carbidopa (Sinemet)
C. Benztropine and Amantadine
D. Rasagiline and Baclofen
B. Levodopa-carbidopa (Sinemet)
Which factor most affects a drug’s absorption?
A. Patient’s gender
B. Route of administration
C. Color of medication
D. Nurse’s technique
B. Route of administration
The nurse should monitor for black box warnings when benzodiazepines are combined with:
A. Antacids
B. Opioids
C. Beta-blockers
D. NSAIDs
B. Opioids
Rationale: Combining opioids with benzodiazepines increases risk for respiratory depression and death.
Which electrolyte movement is affected by antiepileptic drugs?
A. Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺
B. H⁺ only
C. Cl⁻ only
D. Fe²⁺ and Cu²⁺
A. Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺
Rationale: AEDs alter the movement of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium ions to stabilize neurons.
The nurse knows that Dantrolene (Dantrium) differs from other muscle relaxants because it:
A. Works directly on skeletal muscle
B. Is used for short-term back spasms only
C. Has stimulant effects on the CNS
D. Treats anxiety disorders
A. Works directly on skeletal muscle
What is the purpose of carbidopa in the drug levodopa-carbidopa (Sinemet)?
A. To increase acetylcholine
B. To prevent levodopa breakdown before reaching the brain
C. To increase serotonin levels
D. To reduce CNS side effects
B. To prevent levodopa breakdown before reaching the brain
A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a response is a(n):
A. Antagonist
B. Agonist
C. Enzyme
D. Inhibitor
B. Agonist
Which adverse effect of benzodiazepines places older adults at greatest risk?
A. Tachycardia
B. Falls
C. Hypertension
D. Seizures
B. Falls
Which finding indicates phenytoin toxicity?
A. Bradycardia and hypotension
B. Tinnitus and hearing loss
C. Nystagmus and ataxia
D. Diarrhea and dehydration
C. Nystagmus and ataxia
A patient taking Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) reports feeling dizzy and fatigued. What should the nurse teach?
A. These are expected and may decrease with continued use.
B. Stop taking the medication immediately.
C. Take an extra dose to build tolerance.
D. Drink alcohol to relax further.
A. These are expected and may decrease with continued use.
The nurse should teach a patient taking rasagiline (Azilect) to avoid which food?
A. Citrus fruits
B. Tyramine-rich foods
C. Dairy products
D. Leafy greens
B. Tyramine-rich foods
Rationale: Tyramine-containing foods may cause hypertensive crisis with MAOIs.
Which order is written correctly according to medication safety guidelines?
A. .5 mg digoxin PO daily
B. 5.0 mg warfarin PO daily
C. 500 mg acetaminophen PO q6h PRN
D. 10U insulin SQ daily
C. 500 mg acetaminophen PO q6h PRN
Rationale: Leading zeros are required (.5 mg is unsafe), trailing zeros (5.0 mg) are not used, and “U” for units is prohibited.
Which herbal supplement increases CNS depression when combined with benzodiazepines?
A. Ginkgo biloba
B. Kava or valerian
C. Echinacea
D. Ginseng
B. Kava or valerian
Which of the following symptoms are associated with valproate-induced pancreatitis? (Select all that apply.)
A. Severe abdominal pain
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Pale stools
D. Fatigue and jaundice
A. Severe abdominal pain
B. Nausea and vomiting
D. Fatigue and jaundice
Which non-benzodiazepine is used for sleep induction only?
A. Zaleplon (Sonata)
B. Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
C. Zolpidem (Ambien)
D. Amitriptyline
A. Zaleplon (Sonata)
The nurse should teach a patient starting MAO-B inhibitors to avoid which medication?
A. Meperidine (Demerol)
B. Acetaminophen
C. Ibuprofen
D. Loratadine
A. Meperidine (Demerol)
Rationale: Combining meperidine with MAOIs can cause severe hypertensive crisis.
A nurse gives a medication and then realizes the wrong dose was administered. What is the first nursing action?
A. Inform the charge nurse and complete an incident report.
B. Assess the patient’s vital signs and condition.
C. Notify the doctor.
D. Chart the correct dose.
B. Assess the patient’s vital signs and condition.
Rationale: Assess the patient’s safety before reporting or documentation.