Practice Questions for neuro drugs
1. What are examples of barbiturate-type hypnotic and sedative drugs? (Select all
that apply.)
a. Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
b. Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
c. Zolpidem (Ambien)
d. Triazolam (Halcion)
e. Secobarbital (Seconal)
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been administered a barbiturate. Which is
a symptom of barbiturate toxicity that the nurse must monitor the patient for?
a. Restlessness
b. Euphoria
c. Hypotension
d. Confusion
3. Anxiolytic drugs can be used in the management of which conditions? (Select all
that apply.)
a. Alcohol withdrawal
b. Diabetic neuropathy
c. Seizures
d. Panic attacks
e. Hypertension
4. What are examples of nonbenzodiazepine-type hypnotic and sedative drugs?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Temazepam (Restoril)
b. Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
c. Zolpidem (Ambien)
d. Triazolam (Halcion)
e. Zaleplon (Sonata)
5. Which drug used to treat anxiety would be appropriate for a client who is a school
teacher and is concerned about feeling sedated at work?
a. Alprazolam (Xanax)
b. Buspirone (BuSpar)
c. Diazepam (Valium)
d. Lorazepam (Ativan)
Rationale: Buspirone does not cause as much sedation and functional impairment as
lorazepam, alprazolam, and diazepam. However, it can cause dizziness, nausea,
headache, nervousness, lightheadedness, or excitement.
,6. A group of students are reviewing information about antidepressants that inhibit
the activity of monoamine oxidase, leading to increase in epinephrine,
norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. The students demonstrate understanding
when they identify which drug as acting in this manner?
a. Phenelzine
b. Sertraline
c. Amitriptyline
d. Bupropion
SSRIs include:
sertraline (Zoloft)
fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)
citalopram (Celexa)
escitalopram (Lexapro)
paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva, Brisdelle)
fluvoxamine (Luvox)
7. The nurse is caring for a client whose current drug regimen includes mirtazapine
15 mg PO daily. What assessment question should the nurse prioritize?
a. "How would you describe your mood and energy level today?"
b. "On a scale from zero to ten, how would you rate your anxiety level?"
c. "How are you feeling today?"
d. "Are you feeling happier today than in the past?"
8. Anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, sedation, and urinary retention are
common adverse events occurring with the use of which classes of antidepressants?
a. Tricyclic antidepressants
b. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
c. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
d. Atypical antidepressants
9. A nurse is caring for a patient with depression. The patient has been prescribed
amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant. What should the nurse identify as the effect
of this antidepressant on the patient's body?
a. Decreased reuptake of norepinephrine
b. Increased serotonin in the nervous system
c. Increased endogenous norepinephrine
d. Increased endogenous epinephrine
,10. A nurse educating a client starting phenelzine (Nardil) should educate the client
to avoid which foods? (Select all that apply.)
a. Blue cheese
b. Pepperoni
c. Apples
d. Chocolate
e. Celery
11. A client, prescribed fluoxetine 1 week ago, presents for a scheduled follow-up
appointment. What should be the focus of the client’s nursing assessment?
a. cardiac rate and rhythm
b. presence of suicidal ideation
c. improvement in the ability to concentrate
d. indications of a type IV hypersensitivity reaction
12. While caring for a client receiving antipsychotic therapy, the nurse observes
cogwheel rigidity, tremors, and drooling. The nurse interprets this as:
a. pseudoparkinsonism.
b. tardive dyskinesia.
c. akathisia.
d. dystonia.
13. The psychiatric nurse is conducting health education addressing the adverse
effects of clozapine. What teaching point should the nurse convey to the client?
a. “There’s a possibility that this drug might cause you to gain weight and have
high blood sugar levels.”
b. “Sometimes people who take this drug are more prone to getting infections
such as colds and flus.”
c. “There’s a chance that you could develop breathing problems when using this
drug, making you vulnerable to pneumonia.”
d. “You’ll have to eat more protein while you’re taking this drug to help heal any
wounds.”
14. What is the purpose of a “drug holiday” for a teenager prescribed an
amphetamine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
a. to minimize weight loss
b. to prevent hyperthyroidism
c. to allow electrolyte imbalances to resolve
d. to slow bone resorption
15. A 29-year-old woman who is morbidly obese has recently begun a
comprehensive, medically supervised program of weight reduction. Prior to adding
dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) to her regimen, the client should be questioned
about her intake of:
a. alcohol.
b. trans fat.
c. caffeine.
, d. grapefruit juice.
16. Lithium is not a true antipsychotic medication but is used to treat which
antipsychotic disorder?
a. Bipolar mania
b. Bipolar depression
c. Schizophrenia
d. Personality disorder
17. A client is receiving haloperidol. The nurse would be especially alert for the
development of which adverse effect?
a. Sedation
b. Anticholinergic
c. Extrapyramidal
d. Hypotension
18. A bipolar client is being discharged home in 48 hours. What statement by the
client indicates an understanding of treatment with lithium?
a. "I will increase my salt intake."
b. "I will increase my fluid intake."
c. "I will decrease my salt intake."
d. "I will decrease my fluid intake."
19. A client’s medication history includes a long-term prescription for modafinil.
Which assessment question should the nurse ask to confirm why the medication
was prescribed?
a. “Have you ever been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD)?”
b. “Have you ever been diagnosed with narcolepsy?”
c. “Do you have a problem with sleepwalking?”
d. “Do you have trouble falling asleep?”
20. A client should be educated concerning the effect of combining theophylline
with what chemical substance?
a. methylphenidate
b. atomoxetine
c. modafinil
d. caffeine it content nicotine
21. A pediatric client has been admitted to the floor and started on ritalin therapy
for AHDH. The nurse knows that an important daily intervention for this client would
be which?
a. weigh the client daily.
b. record a daily summary of client's behavior.
c. perform ROM exercises daily.
d. suction the client daily.
1. What are examples of barbiturate-type hypnotic and sedative drugs? (Select all
that apply.)
a. Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
b. Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
c. Zolpidem (Ambien)
d. Triazolam (Halcion)
e. Secobarbital (Seconal)
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been administered a barbiturate. Which is
a symptom of barbiturate toxicity that the nurse must monitor the patient for?
a. Restlessness
b. Euphoria
c. Hypotension
d. Confusion
3. Anxiolytic drugs can be used in the management of which conditions? (Select all
that apply.)
a. Alcohol withdrawal
b. Diabetic neuropathy
c. Seizures
d. Panic attacks
e. Hypertension
4. What are examples of nonbenzodiazepine-type hypnotic and sedative drugs?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Temazepam (Restoril)
b. Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
c. Zolpidem (Ambien)
d. Triazolam (Halcion)
e. Zaleplon (Sonata)
5. Which drug used to treat anxiety would be appropriate for a client who is a school
teacher and is concerned about feeling sedated at work?
a. Alprazolam (Xanax)
b. Buspirone (BuSpar)
c. Diazepam (Valium)
d. Lorazepam (Ativan)
Rationale: Buspirone does not cause as much sedation and functional impairment as
lorazepam, alprazolam, and diazepam. However, it can cause dizziness, nausea,
headache, nervousness, lightheadedness, or excitement.
,6. A group of students are reviewing information about antidepressants that inhibit
the activity of monoamine oxidase, leading to increase in epinephrine,
norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. The students demonstrate understanding
when they identify which drug as acting in this manner?
a. Phenelzine
b. Sertraline
c. Amitriptyline
d. Bupropion
SSRIs include:
sertraline (Zoloft)
fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)
citalopram (Celexa)
escitalopram (Lexapro)
paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva, Brisdelle)
fluvoxamine (Luvox)
7. The nurse is caring for a client whose current drug regimen includes mirtazapine
15 mg PO daily. What assessment question should the nurse prioritize?
a. "How would you describe your mood and energy level today?"
b. "On a scale from zero to ten, how would you rate your anxiety level?"
c. "How are you feeling today?"
d. "Are you feeling happier today than in the past?"
8. Anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, sedation, and urinary retention are
common adverse events occurring with the use of which classes of antidepressants?
a. Tricyclic antidepressants
b. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
c. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
d. Atypical antidepressants
9. A nurse is caring for a patient with depression. The patient has been prescribed
amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant. What should the nurse identify as the effect
of this antidepressant on the patient's body?
a. Decreased reuptake of norepinephrine
b. Increased serotonin in the nervous system
c. Increased endogenous norepinephrine
d. Increased endogenous epinephrine
,10. A nurse educating a client starting phenelzine (Nardil) should educate the client
to avoid which foods? (Select all that apply.)
a. Blue cheese
b. Pepperoni
c. Apples
d. Chocolate
e. Celery
11. A client, prescribed fluoxetine 1 week ago, presents for a scheduled follow-up
appointment. What should be the focus of the client’s nursing assessment?
a. cardiac rate and rhythm
b. presence of suicidal ideation
c. improvement in the ability to concentrate
d. indications of a type IV hypersensitivity reaction
12. While caring for a client receiving antipsychotic therapy, the nurse observes
cogwheel rigidity, tremors, and drooling. The nurse interprets this as:
a. pseudoparkinsonism.
b. tardive dyskinesia.
c. akathisia.
d. dystonia.
13. The psychiatric nurse is conducting health education addressing the adverse
effects of clozapine. What teaching point should the nurse convey to the client?
a. “There’s a possibility that this drug might cause you to gain weight and have
high blood sugar levels.”
b. “Sometimes people who take this drug are more prone to getting infections
such as colds and flus.”
c. “There’s a chance that you could develop breathing problems when using this
drug, making you vulnerable to pneumonia.”
d. “You’ll have to eat more protein while you’re taking this drug to help heal any
wounds.”
14. What is the purpose of a “drug holiday” for a teenager prescribed an
amphetamine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
a. to minimize weight loss
b. to prevent hyperthyroidism
c. to allow electrolyte imbalances to resolve
d. to slow bone resorption
15. A 29-year-old woman who is morbidly obese has recently begun a
comprehensive, medically supervised program of weight reduction. Prior to adding
dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) to her regimen, the client should be questioned
about her intake of:
a. alcohol.
b. trans fat.
c. caffeine.
, d. grapefruit juice.
16. Lithium is not a true antipsychotic medication but is used to treat which
antipsychotic disorder?
a. Bipolar mania
b. Bipolar depression
c. Schizophrenia
d. Personality disorder
17. A client is receiving haloperidol. The nurse would be especially alert for the
development of which adverse effect?
a. Sedation
b. Anticholinergic
c. Extrapyramidal
d. Hypotension
18. A bipolar client is being discharged home in 48 hours. What statement by the
client indicates an understanding of treatment with lithium?
a. "I will increase my salt intake."
b. "I will increase my fluid intake."
c. "I will decrease my salt intake."
d. "I will decrease my fluid intake."
19. A client’s medication history includes a long-term prescription for modafinil.
Which assessment question should the nurse ask to confirm why the medication
was prescribed?
a. “Have you ever been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD)?”
b. “Have you ever been diagnosed with narcolepsy?”
c. “Do you have a problem with sleepwalking?”
d. “Do you have trouble falling asleep?”
20. A client should be educated concerning the effect of combining theophylline
with what chemical substance?
a. methylphenidate
b. atomoxetine
c. modafinil
d. caffeine it content nicotine
21. A pediatric client has been admitted to the floor and started on ritalin therapy
for AHDH. The nurse knows that an important daily intervention for this client would
be which?
a. weigh the client daily.
b. record a daily summary of client's behavior.
c. perform ROM exercises daily.
d. suction the client daily.
