17: Stimulants
Study Questions
Complete the following.
1. The central nervous system involves the _________ and the _____ _____.
2. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder can be caused by a _____________ of neurotransmitters.
3. Amphetamines stimulate the release of neurotransmitters ________ and _______, and can lead to cardiovascular
problems.
4. Anorexiants have a/an _______ effect on the brain to _______ ________.
5. Central nervous system stimulants, also referred to as _______, stimulate respiration.
Review Questions
Select the best response.
6. Which medical condition is central nervous system (CNS) stimulant approved to treat? (Select all that apply.)
a. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
b. Anorexia
c. Narcolepsy
d. Obesity
e. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
7. An adult patient has been prescribed methylphenidate for the treatment of narcolepsy. The patient presents to the
clinic with hand tremors and feelings of nervousness. Which priority teaching would be included for this patient?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Avoid operating hazardous equipment.
b. Caffeine should be avoided.
c. Nervousness and tremors may occur.
d. Take the medication before meals.
e. Report any weight gain.
8. Which drug group acts on the brainstem and medulla to stimulate respiration?
a. Amphetamine
b. Analeptic
c. Anorexiant
d. Triptan
9. An adolescent patient is being treated with methylphenidate for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Which common effect would the nurse inform the patient and caregivers might occur? (Select all that apply.)
a. Euphoria
b. Headache
c. Hypertension
d. Irritability
e. Hypotension
f. Vomiting
10. To maintain the half-life of immediate-release methylphenidate, how often would this drug be taken?
a. Daily
b. 2 to 3 times a day
c. 4 times a day
d. Every other day
11. The patient has been prescribed phentermine hydrochloride for obesity. The patient also has Parkinson disease
and takes selegiline. Which nursing action would the nurse do before the patient starts the new drug?
a. Contact the patient’s primary health care provider to verify the prescription.
b. Have baseline lab work drawn to assess liver function.
c. Tell the patient to immediately stop taking the selegiline.
d. Tell the patient to increase fluid intake with the next meal.
12. An overweight patient has a history of migraines, depression, and hypertension and has been started on
phentermine-topiramate. For which condition is phentermine-topiramate used?
a. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
b. Asthma
c. Narcolepsy
d. Short-term weight management
, 13. The pediatric patient has been started on methylphenidate for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Which information would the nurse include in the health teaching?
a. Constipation is a common side effect.
b. Counseling should be combined with drug.
c. This drug will only be used for a few weeks.
d. Weight gain is to be expected.
14. Which statement is true of methylphenidate? (Select all that apply.)
a. If taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), it may increase a hypertensive crisis.
b. The effects of anticoagulants may increase.
c. Hyperglycemia may occur.
d. Insulin will be more effective.
e. There may be increased effects if taken with caffeinated beverages.
15. An 18-year-old patient is brought to the emergency department by the roommates. Blood pressure is
220/136 mm Hg, heart rate 142 beats/minute, and respiratory rate 20 breaths/minute, the patient is responsive only
to deep pain. The patient’s roommates report the patient was trying to lose weight and has been taking “these pills
obtained over the Internet.” Which medical condition would the nurse consider as the most likely cause for this
patient’s symptoms?
a. Cardiac arrest
b. Food poisoning
c. Hemorrhagic stroke
d. Pregnancy-induced hypertension
16. Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants are absolutely contraindicated for patients with a history of which
condition? (Select all that apply.)
a. Coronary artery disease
b. Diabetes
c. Hypothyroidism
d. Hypertension
e. Glaucoma
17. A neonate born at 28 weeks’ gestation is scheduled to receive caffeine citrate 20 mg/kg intravenously shortly
after birth. The neonate’s mother asks, “Why are you giving my baby stuff that is in coffee?” Which statement made
by the nurse would be most appropriate?
a. “Caffeine can help your baby breathe better.”
b. “It will help your baby gain weight faster.”
c. “The baby’s temperature will be warmer with caffeine.”
d. “This isn’t the same substance that is in coffee.”
Chapter 17: Stimulants
1. brain; spinal cord
2. dysregulation
3. norepinephrine; dopamine
4. stimulant; suppress appetite
5. analeptics
6. a, c, d. CNS stimulants, such as amphetamines, analeptics, and anorexiants, are approved to treat ADHD,
narcolepsy, and PTSD.
7. a, b, c, d. Methylphenidate is a stimulant to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Patients taking methylphenidate should
not operate hazardous equipment when they experience tremors, nervousness, or increased heart rate; avoid other
stimulants, such as caffeine; and that nervousness or tremors can occur. The drug should be taken before meals.
Weight loss can occur, not weight gain.
8. b. Analeptics stimulate the brainstem and medulla to stimulate respiration. Anorexiants stimulate the satiety center
in the hypothalamic and limbic areas of the brain. Amphetamines stimulate the cerebral cortex.
9. a, b, c, d, f. Methylphenidate can cause euphoria, headache, hypertension, irritability, and vomiting. Hypotension
is an adverse effect, not a common side effect.
10. b. An immediate-release drug can be taken in 2 or 3 divided doses. An extended-release drug should be taken
once daily.
11. a. Phentermine hydrochloride should not be taken within 14 days of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
such as selegiline. Combinations of the two drugs intensify the stimulation and vasopressor effects of phentermine
Study Questions
Complete the following.
1. The central nervous system involves the _________ and the _____ _____.
2. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder can be caused by a _____________ of neurotransmitters.
3. Amphetamines stimulate the release of neurotransmitters ________ and _______, and can lead to cardiovascular
problems.
4. Anorexiants have a/an _______ effect on the brain to _______ ________.
5. Central nervous system stimulants, also referred to as _______, stimulate respiration.
Review Questions
Select the best response.
6. Which medical condition is central nervous system (CNS) stimulant approved to treat? (Select all that apply.)
a. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
b. Anorexia
c. Narcolepsy
d. Obesity
e. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
7. An adult patient has been prescribed methylphenidate for the treatment of narcolepsy. The patient presents to the
clinic with hand tremors and feelings of nervousness. Which priority teaching would be included for this patient?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Avoid operating hazardous equipment.
b. Caffeine should be avoided.
c. Nervousness and tremors may occur.
d. Take the medication before meals.
e. Report any weight gain.
8. Which drug group acts on the brainstem and medulla to stimulate respiration?
a. Amphetamine
b. Analeptic
c. Anorexiant
d. Triptan
9. An adolescent patient is being treated with methylphenidate for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Which common effect would the nurse inform the patient and caregivers might occur? (Select all that apply.)
a. Euphoria
b. Headache
c. Hypertension
d. Irritability
e. Hypotension
f. Vomiting
10. To maintain the half-life of immediate-release methylphenidate, how often would this drug be taken?
a. Daily
b. 2 to 3 times a day
c. 4 times a day
d. Every other day
11. The patient has been prescribed phentermine hydrochloride for obesity. The patient also has Parkinson disease
and takes selegiline. Which nursing action would the nurse do before the patient starts the new drug?
a. Contact the patient’s primary health care provider to verify the prescription.
b. Have baseline lab work drawn to assess liver function.
c. Tell the patient to immediately stop taking the selegiline.
d. Tell the patient to increase fluid intake with the next meal.
12. An overweight patient has a history of migraines, depression, and hypertension and has been started on
phentermine-topiramate. For which condition is phentermine-topiramate used?
a. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
b. Asthma
c. Narcolepsy
d. Short-term weight management
, 13. The pediatric patient has been started on methylphenidate for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Which information would the nurse include in the health teaching?
a. Constipation is a common side effect.
b. Counseling should be combined with drug.
c. This drug will only be used for a few weeks.
d. Weight gain is to be expected.
14. Which statement is true of methylphenidate? (Select all that apply.)
a. If taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), it may increase a hypertensive crisis.
b. The effects of anticoagulants may increase.
c. Hyperglycemia may occur.
d. Insulin will be more effective.
e. There may be increased effects if taken with caffeinated beverages.
15. An 18-year-old patient is brought to the emergency department by the roommates. Blood pressure is
220/136 mm Hg, heart rate 142 beats/minute, and respiratory rate 20 breaths/minute, the patient is responsive only
to deep pain. The patient’s roommates report the patient was trying to lose weight and has been taking “these pills
obtained over the Internet.” Which medical condition would the nurse consider as the most likely cause for this
patient’s symptoms?
a. Cardiac arrest
b. Food poisoning
c. Hemorrhagic stroke
d. Pregnancy-induced hypertension
16. Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants are absolutely contraindicated for patients with a history of which
condition? (Select all that apply.)
a. Coronary artery disease
b. Diabetes
c. Hypothyroidism
d. Hypertension
e. Glaucoma
17. A neonate born at 28 weeks’ gestation is scheduled to receive caffeine citrate 20 mg/kg intravenously shortly
after birth. The neonate’s mother asks, “Why are you giving my baby stuff that is in coffee?” Which statement made
by the nurse would be most appropriate?
a. “Caffeine can help your baby breathe better.”
b. “It will help your baby gain weight faster.”
c. “The baby’s temperature will be warmer with caffeine.”
d. “This isn’t the same substance that is in coffee.”
Chapter 17: Stimulants
1. brain; spinal cord
2. dysregulation
3. norepinephrine; dopamine
4. stimulant; suppress appetite
5. analeptics
6. a, c, d. CNS stimulants, such as amphetamines, analeptics, and anorexiants, are approved to treat ADHD,
narcolepsy, and PTSD.
7. a, b, c, d. Methylphenidate is a stimulant to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Patients taking methylphenidate should
not operate hazardous equipment when they experience tremors, nervousness, or increased heart rate; avoid other
stimulants, such as caffeine; and that nervousness or tremors can occur. The drug should be taken before meals.
Weight loss can occur, not weight gain.
8. b. Analeptics stimulate the brainstem and medulla to stimulate respiration. Anorexiants stimulate the satiety center
in the hypothalamic and limbic areas of the brain. Amphetamines stimulate the cerebral cortex.
9. a, b, c, d, f. Methylphenidate can cause euphoria, headache, hypertension, irritability, and vomiting. Hypotension
is an adverse effect, not a common side effect.
10. b. An immediate-release drug can be taken in 2 or 3 divided doses. An extended-release drug should be taken
once daily.
11. a. Phentermine hydrochloride should not be taken within 14 days of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
such as selegiline. Combinations of the two drugs intensify the stimulation and vasopressor effects of phentermine
