NUR2474 Exam 1 Study Guide Pharmacology Rasmussen
2026 | Most Tested Questions & Verified Answers | Latest
Update | Graded A+
1. Describe how Oxcarbazepine functions as an anticonvulsant in the treatment
of epilepsy.
Oxcarbazepine increases neurotransmitter release to enhance brain
activity.
Oxcarbazepine blocks dopamine receptors to reduce tremors.
Oxcarbazepine enhances the absorption of glucose in the brain.
Oxcarbazepine stabilizes neuronal membranes to prevent seizures.
2. Discuss why misinterpretation of prescriptions is considered the biggest
medication error.
Misinterpretation only affects the pharmacy, not patient care.
Misinterpretation is easily fixed by the nursing staff.
Misinterpretation is rare and usually has no consequences.
Misinterpretation can lead to incorrect medication administration,
which poses serious risks to patient safety.
3. If a pregnant patient is prescribed a medication known to cause drug-
induced birth defects, what steps should a nurse take to ensure patient
safety?
Encourage the patient to stop taking all medications immediately.
Discuss alternative medications and provide education on the risks
associated with the prescribed drug.
Assure the patient that all medications are safe during pregnancy.
, Advise the patient to take the medication without any concerns.
4. Describe how patient education impacts adherence to medication regimens.
Patient education is only necessary for elderly patients.
Patient education has no impact on adherence.
Patient education only focuses on side effects.
Patient education improves adherence by ensuring patients
understand how to take their medications correctly.
5. What is the half-life range of Phenytoin?
8 to 60 hours
24 to 48 hours
1 to 5 hours
12 to 36 hours
6. What medical condition is methylphenidate used to treat?
Migraines
Seizures
ADHD
Insomnia
7. What is multiple sclerosis?
A genetic disorder that affects the nervous system
An autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system
A viral infection that affects the peripheral nervous system
A bacterial infection that affects the brain and spinal cord
,8. Which of the following accurately defines "therapeutic effect"?
The process of medication distribution in the body
The duration of a medication's action
The desired or intended effect a medication is expected to have on
the body
The side effects of a medication
9. What is the common side effects of donepezil (used to treat alzheimer's)?
Weight gain
GI issues (nausea, diarrhea)
Irritability
Elevated WBC
Headache
10. What types of seizures is Oxcarbazepine indicated to treat?
Absence seizures
Partial seizures
Generalized seizures
Tonic-clonic seizures
11. What term describes a decreased response to a drug due to prolonged use?
Cross-tolerance
Drug resistance
Pharmacokinetic tolerance
Pharmacodynamic tolerance
, 12. Which of the following question(s) help determine how medication errors
occurred?
Why did the incident occur? (What was the error?)
Why the error occurred? (What was the proximal cause?)
Why did the proximal cause occur? (What were the underlying
system failures?)
All of the above
13. A patient with Parkinson's has what type of gait?
slow, shuffling gait or a festinating gait which is small, fast steps
that propel patient forward at ever increasing speed.
scissors gait pattern
normal gait pattern
14. Which of the following statements most accurately describe metabolic and
functional tolerance?
Metabolic tolerance is a result of the body becoming more effective
at eliminating the drug from the bloodstream before it can have an
effect.
All of the above.
Functional tolerance causes receptors to be up-regulated or down-
regulated.
They are both forms of drug tolerance as a result of repeated
exposure.
15. What condition is Methylphenidate primarily prescribed to treat?
Bipolar Disorder
2026 | Most Tested Questions & Verified Answers | Latest
Update | Graded A+
1. Describe how Oxcarbazepine functions as an anticonvulsant in the treatment
of epilepsy.
Oxcarbazepine increases neurotransmitter release to enhance brain
activity.
Oxcarbazepine blocks dopamine receptors to reduce tremors.
Oxcarbazepine enhances the absorption of glucose in the brain.
Oxcarbazepine stabilizes neuronal membranes to prevent seizures.
2. Discuss why misinterpretation of prescriptions is considered the biggest
medication error.
Misinterpretation only affects the pharmacy, not patient care.
Misinterpretation is easily fixed by the nursing staff.
Misinterpretation is rare and usually has no consequences.
Misinterpretation can lead to incorrect medication administration,
which poses serious risks to patient safety.
3. If a pregnant patient is prescribed a medication known to cause drug-
induced birth defects, what steps should a nurse take to ensure patient
safety?
Encourage the patient to stop taking all medications immediately.
Discuss alternative medications and provide education on the risks
associated with the prescribed drug.
Assure the patient that all medications are safe during pregnancy.
, Advise the patient to take the medication without any concerns.
4. Describe how patient education impacts adherence to medication regimens.
Patient education is only necessary for elderly patients.
Patient education has no impact on adherence.
Patient education only focuses on side effects.
Patient education improves adherence by ensuring patients
understand how to take their medications correctly.
5. What is the half-life range of Phenytoin?
8 to 60 hours
24 to 48 hours
1 to 5 hours
12 to 36 hours
6. What medical condition is methylphenidate used to treat?
Migraines
Seizures
ADHD
Insomnia
7. What is multiple sclerosis?
A genetic disorder that affects the nervous system
An autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system
A viral infection that affects the peripheral nervous system
A bacterial infection that affects the brain and spinal cord
,8. Which of the following accurately defines "therapeutic effect"?
The process of medication distribution in the body
The duration of a medication's action
The desired or intended effect a medication is expected to have on
the body
The side effects of a medication
9. What is the common side effects of donepezil (used to treat alzheimer's)?
Weight gain
GI issues (nausea, diarrhea)
Irritability
Elevated WBC
Headache
10. What types of seizures is Oxcarbazepine indicated to treat?
Absence seizures
Partial seizures
Generalized seizures
Tonic-clonic seizures
11. What term describes a decreased response to a drug due to prolonged use?
Cross-tolerance
Drug resistance
Pharmacokinetic tolerance
Pharmacodynamic tolerance
, 12. Which of the following question(s) help determine how medication errors
occurred?
Why did the incident occur? (What was the error?)
Why the error occurred? (What was the proximal cause?)
Why did the proximal cause occur? (What were the underlying
system failures?)
All of the above
13. A patient with Parkinson's has what type of gait?
slow, shuffling gait or a festinating gait which is small, fast steps
that propel patient forward at ever increasing speed.
scissors gait pattern
normal gait pattern
14. Which of the following statements most accurately describe metabolic and
functional tolerance?
Metabolic tolerance is a result of the body becoming more effective
at eliminating the drug from the bloodstream before it can have an
effect.
All of the above.
Functional tolerance causes receptors to be up-regulated or down-
regulated.
They are both forms of drug tolerance as a result of repeated
exposure.
15. What condition is Methylphenidate primarily prescribed to treat?
Bipolar Disorder
