pathophysiology (NURS231) final
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What are some physiological causes of fatigue (not related to health conditions, but physiological
processes themselves) - ✔1. buildup of metabolic waste/waste products in the body
2. inflammatory process
3. an insufficient supply of nutrients needed for functioning
Which fatigue is resistant to treatment: temporary or chronic? - ✔Chronic
What populations are at the highest risk for fatigue? - ✔Women, older adults, and middle-
aged adults
2/3 of all chronic fatigue is related to which of the following (choose all that apply):
a. seasonal affective disorder
b. an underlying medical/psychiatric disorder
c. medication side effects
d. isolation/loneliness - ✔b. 2/3 of all chronic fatigue is related to either the side effects
of medications or an underlying diagnosis (secondary fatigue)
What are interventions for a nursing assessment related to a patient complaining of fatigue? -
✔- PQRSTU
- assess the impact on their daily life
,- ask them to explain how it feels/subjective data
- observe their general appearance (facial expressions, hygiene)
- palpate lymph nodes and thyroid
- auscultate the lungs and heart
- assess muscle strength against resistance
- perform a cranial nerve assessment
- assess deep tendon reflexes
- perform any diagnostic tests (CBC, ESR, renal and liver function, HIV antibodies,
thyroid function and urinalysis)
What are primary prevention techniques for fatigue? - ✔Balancing sleep and
wakefulness, getting adequate exercise, having a healthy diet, providing patient education
for patients at particular risk for fatigue disorder
What are some interventions a patient can perform to manage fatigue? - ✔exercise 30 minutes
a day, eat a balanced diet, get adequate sleep, manage any underlying conditions that can cause
fatigue, manage stress with relaxation techniques, have planned rest/nap breaks, use CNS
stimulants if needed, consider CBT psychotherapy, stretch/yoga regularly, and go for walks.
What is the difference between hypnotics and sedatives? - ✔Sedatives reduce excitability
but don't cause sleep unless given in high doses.
Hypnotics cause sleep.
What is a long-term side effect of prolonged sedative/hypnotic drug therapy? -
✔Interference with REM sleep, daytime drowsiness and fatigue, interruptions of sleep
cycles
What is the mechanism of action for benzodiazepines? - ✔Bind to cell receptors enhancing the
effect of GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter), which slows the activity of nerves in the brain
What are the indications for benzodiazepines? - ✔Commonly used for sedation, relief of agitation
or anxiety, treatment of anxiety-related depression or bipolar disorder, sleep induction
,for sleep disorders, skeletal muscle relaxation for muscle spasms, treatment of acute
seizure disorders, treatment and prevention of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and
used as an adjuncts in anaesthesia.
What are the contraindications of benzodiazepines? - ✔pregnancy, known drug allergy, open-
angle glaucoma, elderly (increases risk of falls and dementia), impaired kidney or liver function
What can happen if a pregnant woman takes benzodiazepines? - ✔Increases the risk of
low birth weight babies and preterm delivery
What are the adverse effects of taking benzodiazepines? - ✔- ataxia (balance, coordination
and speech disturbances)
- confusion, amnesia
- fatigue/lethargy/drowsiness
- lightheadedness, dizziness, vertigo
- headaches
- feeling "hungover", dry mouth, and GI upset
- visual disturbances
- restlessness and/or irritability.
What are some nursing considerations to help with the adverse drug reactions of
benzodiazepines? - ✔Dizziness/vertigo: have patient rise slowly, avoid driving
heavy machinery, and take drug in the evening
GI upset: take meds with food, regular water and fibre intake, and exercise
What happens if a person overdoses on benzodiazepines? - ✔Luckily, the worst that can
happen is coma. This is why benzo's are preferred to barbiturates because they have lower
toxicities and risks associated with an overdose.
, What is flumazenil? - ✔Benzodiazepine antagonist; an antidote to reverse sedative effects
in the case of an OD
What are drug interactions for benzodiazepines? - ✔Do not take with other CNS depressants to
avoid risking respiratory depression, hypotension, toxicities, sedation and confusion.
Which natural health products should be avoided with benzodiazepines? - ✔Kava, valerian
and grapefruit
Which of the following is a benzodiazepine?:
a. buspirone (Buspar)
b. hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
c. phenobarbital
d. lorazepam (Ativan) - ✔d. lorazepam is a
benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines have "-zepam" or "-
zolam" suffixes!!
Which of the following is a benzodiazepine?:
a. zoplicone (Rhovane)
b. zolpidem tartrate (Ambien)
c. diazepam (Valium)
d. flumazenil - ✔c. diazepam (Valium) is a benzodiazepine.
Benzodiazepines have "-zepam" or "-zolam" suffixes!!
Which of the following is NOT a benzodiazepine?:
a. alprazolam (Xanax)
b. clonazepam (Klonopin)
c. chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
exam prep| Questions Solved 100%
Correct| Verified
What are some physiological causes of fatigue (not related to health conditions, but physiological
processes themselves) - ✔1. buildup of metabolic waste/waste products in the body
2. inflammatory process
3. an insufficient supply of nutrients needed for functioning
Which fatigue is resistant to treatment: temporary or chronic? - ✔Chronic
What populations are at the highest risk for fatigue? - ✔Women, older adults, and middle-
aged adults
2/3 of all chronic fatigue is related to which of the following (choose all that apply):
a. seasonal affective disorder
b. an underlying medical/psychiatric disorder
c. medication side effects
d. isolation/loneliness - ✔b. 2/3 of all chronic fatigue is related to either the side effects
of medications or an underlying diagnosis (secondary fatigue)
What are interventions for a nursing assessment related to a patient complaining of fatigue? -
✔- PQRSTU
- assess the impact on their daily life
,- ask them to explain how it feels/subjective data
- observe their general appearance (facial expressions, hygiene)
- palpate lymph nodes and thyroid
- auscultate the lungs and heart
- assess muscle strength against resistance
- perform a cranial nerve assessment
- assess deep tendon reflexes
- perform any diagnostic tests (CBC, ESR, renal and liver function, HIV antibodies,
thyroid function and urinalysis)
What are primary prevention techniques for fatigue? - ✔Balancing sleep and
wakefulness, getting adequate exercise, having a healthy diet, providing patient education
for patients at particular risk for fatigue disorder
What are some interventions a patient can perform to manage fatigue? - ✔exercise 30 minutes
a day, eat a balanced diet, get adequate sleep, manage any underlying conditions that can cause
fatigue, manage stress with relaxation techniques, have planned rest/nap breaks, use CNS
stimulants if needed, consider CBT psychotherapy, stretch/yoga regularly, and go for walks.
What is the difference between hypnotics and sedatives? - ✔Sedatives reduce excitability
but don't cause sleep unless given in high doses.
Hypnotics cause sleep.
What is a long-term side effect of prolonged sedative/hypnotic drug therapy? -
✔Interference with REM sleep, daytime drowsiness and fatigue, interruptions of sleep
cycles
What is the mechanism of action for benzodiazepines? - ✔Bind to cell receptors enhancing the
effect of GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter), which slows the activity of nerves in the brain
What are the indications for benzodiazepines? - ✔Commonly used for sedation, relief of agitation
or anxiety, treatment of anxiety-related depression or bipolar disorder, sleep induction
,for sleep disorders, skeletal muscle relaxation for muscle spasms, treatment of acute
seizure disorders, treatment and prevention of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and
used as an adjuncts in anaesthesia.
What are the contraindications of benzodiazepines? - ✔pregnancy, known drug allergy, open-
angle glaucoma, elderly (increases risk of falls and dementia), impaired kidney or liver function
What can happen if a pregnant woman takes benzodiazepines? - ✔Increases the risk of
low birth weight babies and preterm delivery
What are the adverse effects of taking benzodiazepines? - ✔- ataxia (balance, coordination
and speech disturbances)
- confusion, amnesia
- fatigue/lethargy/drowsiness
- lightheadedness, dizziness, vertigo
- headaches
- feeling "hungover", dry mouth, and GI upset
- visual disturbances
- restlessness and/or irritability.
What are some nursing considerations to help with the adverse drug reactions of
benzodiazepines? - ✔Dizziness/vertigo: have patient rise slowly, avoid driving
heavy machinery, and take drug in the evening
GI upset: take meds with food, regular water and fibre intake, and exercise
What happens if a person overdoses on benzodiazepines? - ✔Luckily, the worst that can
happen is coma. This is why benzo's are preferred to barbiturates because they have lower
toxicities and risks associated with an overdose.
, What is flumazenil? - ✔Benzodiazepine antagonist; an antidote to reverse sedative effects
in the case of an OD
What are drug interactions for benzodiazepines? - ✔Do not take with other CNS depressants to
avoid risking respiratory depression, hypotension, toxicities, sedation and confusion.
Which natural health products should be avoided with benzodiazepines? - ✔Kava, valerian
and grapefruit
Which of the following is a benzodiazepine?:
a. buspirone (Buspar)
b. hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
c. phenobarbital
d. lorazepam (Ativan) - ✔d. lorazepam is a
benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines have "-zepam" or "-
zolam" suffixes!!
Which of the following is a benzodiazepine?:
a. zoplicone (Rhovane)
b. zolpidem tartrate (Ambien)
c. diazepam (Valium)
d. flumazenil - ✔c. diazepam (Valium) is a benzodiazepine.
Benzodiazepines have "-zepam" or "-zolam" suffixes!!
Which of the following is NOT a benzodiazepine?:
a. alprazolam (Xanax)
b. clonazepam (Klonopin)
c. chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
