True or False
True or False:
Lithium Sulfate is used to treat bipolar disorder
True
Zolpidem:
Short Term, 1-2 Week treatment for _________.
Insomnia
Benzodiazepine that can cause respiratory depression. Long term use is not recommended.
Diazepam
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has been prescribed gabapentin for peripheral neuropathy. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will take this medication at the same time each day.”
B. “I can stop taking this medication when my pain goes away.”
C. “I may feel drowsy or dizzy when I start this medication.”
D. “I will avoid driving until I know how the drug affects me.”
B. INCORRECT — Indicates a need for further teaching. Gabapentin should not be stopped abruptly, as it can cause withdrawal symptoms or increased seizure risk (even if not taken for seizures).
True or False:
With zolpidem, for faster effects take with meals
False
Diazepam:
Monitor ____ lab for long term use
CBC
You will need regular eye checkups while on this medication
Carbamazepine
A nurse is reviewing the chart of a client who has been taking lithium sulfate for bipolar disorder. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Fine hand tremor and dry mouth
B. Increased thirst and mild polyuria
C. Nausea, muscle weakness, and unsteady gait
D. Weight gain of 1 pound over the past week
C. Correct — These are early signs of lithium toxicity, which must be reported immediately to prevent progression to severe symptoms (e.g., seizures, coma).
True or False:
With Gabapentin, Liver function is not regularly monitored for long term use
False
Phenytoin
Have good ______ ___________ while on this drug
Oral Hygiene
Oral only medication that is used for epilepsy/partial seizures, postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles), and restless leg syndrome .
Gabapentin
A nurse is caring for four clients prescribed zolpidem for insomnia. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A 40-year-old client who reports having vivid dreams and occasional headaches.
B. A 55-year-old client who took zolpidem an hour ago and is now sleepwalking in the hallway.
C. A 68-year-old client who reports dizziness when getting out of bed in the morning.
D. A 35-year-old client who says the medication helps them fall asleep but still wakes up during the night.
B is the priority because sleepwalking is a known but dangerous adverse effect of zolpidem, especially if the client is not in a safe environment. There's a risk of injury to self or others, making this a safety issue, which always takes priority.
True or False:
Diazepam is okay to take with CNS Depressants
False
Carbamazepine:
Used for ______ or nerve pain by decreasing nerve impulses and pain.
Primarily used for major depressive disorder and other psychiatric conditions.
Nardil, marplan, parnate
A client has been taking sertraline 50 mg daily for 2 weeks for generalized anxiety disorder. During a follow-up visit, the client tells the nurse,
"I’ve been feeling more anxious and restless lately. I’ve also started having muscle twitches and I’m sweating more than usual."
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Reassure the client that side effects are common in the first few weeks
B. Ask if the client has started taking any over-the-counter medications or supplements
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately of possible serotonin syndrome
D. Document the findings and schedule the next routine follow-up visit
C is correct because the symptoms described — increased restlessness, anxiety, muscle twitching, and diaphoresis — may indicate early signs of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of SSRIs like sertraline. Immediate intervention is required to prevent worsening symptoms (e.g., hyperthermia, seizures, or death).
True or False:
You should monitor for suicidal thoughts while on Sertraline.
True
Nardil, marplan, parnate
While on this drug you need to have a strict low _________ diet
Tyramine
Monitor Lithium levels while on this drug
Lithium Sulfate
A client with epilepsy is prescribed carbamazepine. Which of the following laboratory results requires the nurse to intervene and notify the healthcare provider immediately?
A. White blood cell count 2,500/mm³ (normal: 4,500–11,000/mm³)
B. Serum sodium 138 mEq/L (normal: 135–145 mEq/L)
C. Liver enzymes mildly elevated at 45 U/L (normal: 7–56 U/L)
D. Therapeutic carbamazepine level of 8 mcg/mL (normal therapeutic range: 4–12 mcg/mL)
A is correct. Carbamazepine can cause bone marrow suppression leading to leukopenia, agranulocytosis, or aplastic anemia. A low WBC count warrants immediate intervention to prevent infection and consider discontinuation of the drug.