NR 293 Pharmacology: CNS Medications Practice Pack 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is providing teaching to a client starting fluoxetine. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the
medication’s onset?
A. I will feel much better by tomorrow morning.
B. I only need to take this when I am feeling particularly sad.
C. If I don’t feel better in three days, I should double my dose.
D. It may take 1 to 4 weeks before I notice a significant change in my mood.
Answer: D
Rationale: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine typically require
1 to 4 weeks of consistent use to achieve therapeutic effects.
2. Which of the following adverse effects is a priority for a nurse to monitor in a
client taking amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)?
A. Increased appetite
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Urinary frequency
D. Gingival hyperplasia
Answer: B
Rationale: TCAs can cause significant orthostatic hypotension, which increases the risk of
falls and injury in patients.
,3. A client taking phenelzine, an MAOI, should be instructed to avoid which of
the following foods to prevent a hypertensive crisis?
A. Fresh apples and oranges
B. Grilled chicken and steamed broccoli
C. Whole grain bread and brown rice
D. Aged cheeses and cured meats
Answer: D
Rationale: Foods containing tyramine, such as aged cheeses, smoked meats, and red wine,
can cause a dangerous hypertensive crisis when consumed with MAOIs.
4. A nurse is assessing a client for serotonin syndrome. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hallucinations, diaphoresis, and agitation
B. Hypotension and urinary retention
C. Hyporeflexia and bradycardia
D. Weight gain and sedation
Answer: A
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome is characterized by mental status changes (agitation,
hallucinations), autonomic instability (diaphoresis, fever), and neuromuscular
hyperactivity.
5. Which medication is most likely to be prescribed to treat the extrapyramidal
symptoms (EPS) caused by haloperidol?
A. Benztropine
B. Lithium carbonate
C. Naloxone
D. Levodopa
Answer: A
, Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic used to treat extrapyramidal side effects such
as acute dystonia and parkinsonian symptoms caused by antipsychotics.
6. A client is prescribed clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Which
laboratory value is the priority for the nurse to monitor?
A. White blood cell (WBC) count
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum creatinine
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: A
Rationale: Clozapine carries a high risk for agranulocytosis; therefore, regular monitoring
of the WBC count and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is mandatory.
7. Which of the following is a symptom of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
(NMS)?
A. Decreased deep tendon reflexes
B. Fine hand tremors and polyuria
C. Lowered blood glucose levels
D. Extreme muscle rigidity and high fever
Answer: D
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening emergency characterized by ‘lead pipe’ muscle
rigidity, high fever, autonomic instability, and altered mental status.
8. A client is taking bupropion for smoking cessation. Which condition in the
client’s history is a contraindication for this medication?
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Glaucoma
D. Seizure disorder
Answer: D
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is providing teaching to a client starting fluoxetine. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the
medication’s onset?
A. I will feel much better by tomorrow morning.
B. I only need to take this when I am feeling particularly sad.
C. If I don’t feel better in three days, I should double my dose.
D. It may take 1 to 4 weeks before I notice a significant change in my mood.
Answer: D
Rationale: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine typically require
1 to 4 weeks of consistent use to achieve therapeutic effects.
2. Which of the following adverse effects is a priority for a nurse to monitor in a
client taking amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)?
A. Increased appetite
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Urinary frequency
D. Gingival hyperplasia
Answer: B
Rationale: TCAs can cause significant orthostatic hypotension, which increases the risk of
falls and injury in patients.
,3. A client taking phenelzine, an MAOI, should be instructed to avoid which of
the following foods to prevent a hypertensive crisis?
A. Fresh apples and oranges
B. Grilled chicken and steamed broccoli
C. Whole grain bread and brown rice
D. Aged cheeses and cured meats
Answer: D
Rationale: Foods containing tyramine, such as aged cheeses, smoked meats, and red wine,
can cause a dangerous hypertensive crisis when consumed with MAOIs.
4. A nurse is assessing a client for serotonin syndrome. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hallucinations, diaphoresis, and agitation
B. Hypotension and urinary retention
C. Hyporeflexia and bradycardia
D. Weight gain and sedation
Answer: A
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome is characterized by mental status changes (agitation,
hallucinations), autonomic instability (diaphoresis, fever), and neuromuscular
hyperactivity.
5. Which medication is most likely to be prescribed to treat the extrapyramidal
symptoms (EPS) caused by haloperidol?
A. Benztropine
B. Lithium carbonate
C. Naloxone
D. Levodopa
Answer: A
, Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic used to treat extrapyramidal side effects such
as acute dystonia and parkinsonian symptoms caused by antipsychotics.
6. A client is prescribed clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Which
laboratory value is the priority for the nurse to monitor?
A. White blood cell (WBC) count
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum creatinine
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: A
Rationale: Clozapine carries a high risk for agranulocytosis; therefore, regular monitoring
of the WBC count and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is mandatory.
7. Which of the following is a symptom of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
(NMS)?
A. Decreased deep tendon reflexes
B. Fine hand tremors and polyuria
C. Lowered blood glucose levels
D. Extreme muscle rigidity and high fever
Answer: D
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening emergency characterized by ‘lead pipe’ muscle
rigidity, high fever, autonomic instability, and altered mental status.
8. A client is taking bupropion for smoking cessation. Which condition in the
client’s history is a contraindication for this medication?
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Glaucoma
D. Seizure disorder
Answer: D
