NSG 522 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM
NSG 522 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM
1NEWEST 2025/2026 WITH 500+ QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES | GRADED A+ GUARANTEED
PASS – ACE YOR EXAM
Pdf Download
A nurse is making patient rounds and determines that one of her patients is having paradoxical
symptoms related to the use of benzodiazepines. Which of the following symptoms would the
patient manifest?
a. Insomnia, excitation, euphoria, and rage
b. Laryngeal edema, hypotension, and wheals
c. Vasodilation, flushing, and orthostatic hypotension
d. Confusion, central nervous system depression, and disorientation
- Answer ✓✓ANS: A
The paradoxical symptoms manifested by someone using benzodiazepines are insomnia, excitation,
euphoria, and rage.
TEST BANK 1
, NSG 522 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM
Laryngeal edema, hypotension, and wheals are manifestations of anaphylaxis.
Vasodilation, flushing, and orthostatic hypotension indicate an adverse reaction to the medication.
Confusion, central nervous system depression, and disorientation may be manifestations of a
benzodiazepine overdose.
A drug representative is providing education on barbiturates to the nurses on a unit. The drug
representative correctly explains that most barbiturates are considered nonselective central nervous
system depressants, with the exception of
a. thiopental.
b. secobarbital (Seconal).
c. butabarbital (Butisol).
d. phenobarbital (Luminal).
- Answer ✓✓ANS: D
Phenobarbital is considered a selective central nervous system depressant.
Thiopental, secobarbital, and butabarbital are considered nonselective central nervous system
depressants.
Two nursing students studying pharmacology are discussing the contraindications to the use of
barbiturates. Which statement made by one of the students best demonstrates an understanding of
the use of barbiturates?
a. "Barbiturates should not be used in patients with a history of delirium."
b. "Barbiturates should not be used in patients with suicidal tendencies."
c. "Barbiturates should not be used in patients with an allergy to benzodiazepines."
d. "Barbiturates should not be used in patients with a history of drowsiness with the use of these
agents."
- Answer ✓✓ANS: B
TEST BANK 2
, NSG 522 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM
Barbiturates have a low therapeutic index; overdose may rapidly lead to death. Because of their
toxicity, barbiturates frequently are used as a means of suicide and should not be prescribed to
patients with suicidal tendencies.
Barbiturates may be used in patients with a history of delirium.
Barbiturates may be used in patients with a history of allergy to benzodiazepines.
Central nervous system depression and drowsiness may be side effects of barbiturates; therefore, if
the drugs have been used previously, these would be expected findings.
A patient reports awakening at 1 AM after only 2 hours of sleep and is unable to return to sleep for
several hours. The patient is becoming increasingly anxious and requests a sleeping medication that
will not cause a "hangover." The nurse would anticipate the prescriber to order which one of the
following drugs?
a. Zolpidem (Ambien)
b. Zaleplon (Sonata)
c. Flurazepam (Dalmane)
d. Trazodone (Desyrel)
- Answer ✓✓ANS: B
Zaleplon does not produce next day sedation or a "hangover" feeling and therefore would be the
expected medication for the prescriber to order.
Zolpidem, flurazepam, and trazodone may cause next day sedation and/or a "hangover" feeling
and therefore would not be appropriate for this patient.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 373
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral
Therapies
A patient is brought to the emergency department by friends, who say that they were all partying
with alcohol and a mix of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They state that the patient had "a lot
to drink and took a handful of pills a couple of hours ago." Upon assessment, the patient is
TEST BANK 3
, NSG 522 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM
nonresponsive and has pinpoint pupils and respirations of 6/minute. After oxygen is administered,
the nurse should prepare the patient for which of the following interventions?
a. Both gastric lavage and hemodialysis
b. Both naloxone (Narcan) and a cathartic
c. Both activated charcoal and flumazenil (Romazicon)
d. Both a central nervous system stimulant and IV fluids
- Answer ✓✓ANS: A
Because over 2 hours have elapsed, enough medication is present in the system to warrant
elimination by hemodialysis, and the remainder in the stomach may be eliminated by gastric lavage.
Naloxone, a narcotic antagonist, is not effective for barbiturates and benzodiazepines.
Although activated charcoal may assist in absorption of medication in the gut, flumazenil will be
effective only for the benzodiazepines.
A central nervous system stimulant is contraindicated, and intravenous fluids do not address the
overdose.
In a review class on medications, nurses are discussing the actions of zolpidem (Ambien) and
benzodiazepines. A nurse correctly states that the actions of zolpidem (Ambien) do not produce
which of the following effects that benzodiazepines do?
a. Induce sleep.
b. Reduce anxiety.
c. Affect REM sleep.
d. Prolong sleep duration.
- Answer ✓✓ANS: B
Zolpidem does not reduce anxiety, as the benzodiazepines do.
Both zolpidem and benzodiazepines induce sleep, affect REM sleep, and prolong the duration of
sleep.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 372
TEST BANK 4
NSG 522 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM
1NEWEST 2025/2026 WITH 500+ QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES | GRADED A+ GUARANTEED
PASS – ACE YOR EXAM
Pdf Download
A nurse is making patient rounds and determines that one of her patients is having paradoxical
symptoms related to the use of benzodiazepines. Which of the following symptoms would the
patient manifest?
a. Insomnia, excitation, euphoria, and rage
b. Laryngeal edema, hypotension, and wheals
c. Vasodilation, flushing, and orthostatic hypotension
d. Confusion, central nervous system depression, and disorientation
- Answer ✓✓ANS: A
The paradoxical symptoms manifested by someone using benzodiazepines are insomnia, excitation,
euphoria, and rage.
TEST BANK 1
, NSG 522 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM
Laryngeal edema, hypotension, and wheals are manifestations of anaphylaxis.
Vasodilation, flushing, and orthostatic hypotension indicate an adverse reaction to the medication.
Confusion, central nervous system depression, and disorientation may be manifestations of a
benzodiazepine overdose.
A drug representative is providing education on barbiturates to the nurses on a unit. The drug
representative correctly explains that most barbiturates are considered nonselective central nervous
system depressants, with the exception of
a. thiopental.
b. secobarbital (Seconal).
c. butabarbital (Butisol).
d. phenobarbital (Luminal).
- Answer ✓✓ANS: D
Phenobarbital is considered a selective central nervous system depressant.
Thiopental, secobarbital, and butabarbital are considered nonselective central nervous system
depressants.
Two nursing students studying pharmacology are discussing the contraindications to the use of
barbiturates. Which statement made by one of the students best demonstrates an understanding of
the use of barbiturates?
a. "Barbiturates should not be used in patients with a history of delirium."
b. "Barbiturates should not be used in patients with suicidal tendencies."
c. "Barbiturates should not be used in patients with an allergy to benzodiazepines."
d. "Barbiturates should not be used in patients with a history of drowsiness with the use of these
agents."
- Answer ✓✓ANS: B
TEST BANK 2
, NSG 522 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM
Barbiturates have a low therapeutic index; overdose may rapidly lead to death. Because of their
toxicity, barbiturates frequently are used as a means of suicide and should not be prescribed to
patients with suicidal tendencies.
Barbiturates may be used in patients with a history of delirium.
Barbiturates may be used in patients with a history of allergy to benzodiazepines.
Central nervous system depression and drowsiness may be side effects of barbiturates; therefore, if
the drugs have been used previously, these would be expected findings.
A patient reports awakening at 1 AM after only 2 hours of sleep and is unable to return to sleep for
several hours. The patient is becoming increasingly anxious and requests a sleeping medication that
will not cause a "hangover." The nurse would anticipate the prescriber to order which one of the
following drugs?
a. Zolpidem (Ambien)
b. Zaleplon (Sonata)
c. Flurazepam (Dalmane)
d. Trazodone (Desyrel)
- Answer ✓✓ANS: B
Zaleplon does not produce next day sedation or a "hangover" feeling and therefore would be the
expected medication for the prescriber to order.
Zolpidem, flurazepam, and trazodone may cause next day sedation and/or a "hangover" feeling
and therefore would not be appropriate for this patient.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 373
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral
Therapies
A patient is brought to the emergency department by friends, who say that they were all partying
with alcohol and a mix of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They state that the patient had "a lot
to drink and took a handful of pills a couple of hours ago." Upon assessment, the patient is
TEST BANK 3
, NSG 522 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM
nonresponsive and has pinpoint pupils and respirations of 6/minute. After oxygen is administered,
the nurse should prepare the patient for which of the following interventions?
a. Both gastric lavage and hemodialysis
b. Both naloxone (Narcan) and a cathartic
c. Both activated charcoal and flumazenil (Romazicon)
d. Both a central nervous system stimulant and IV fluids
- Answer ✓✓ANS: A
Because over 2 hours have elapsed, enough medication is present in the system to warrant
elimination by hemodialysis, and the remainder in the stomach may be eliminated by gastric lavage.
Naloxone, a narcotic antagonist, is not effective for barbiturates and benzodiazepines.
Although activated charcoal may assist in absorption of medication in the gut, flumazenil will be
effective only for the benzodiazepines.
A central nervous system stimulant is contraindicated, and intravenous fluids do not address the
overdose.
In a review class on medications, nurses are discussing the actions of zolpidem (Ambien) and
benzodiazepines. A nurse correctly states that the actions of zolpidem (Ambien) do not produce
which of the following effects that benzodiazepines do?
a. Induce sleep.
b. Reduce anxiety.
c. Affect REM sleep.
d. Prolong sleep duration.
- Answer ✓✓ANS: B
Zolpidem does not reduce anxiety, as the benzodiazepines do.
Both zolpidem and benzodiazepines induce sleep, affect REM sleep, and prolong the duration of
sleep.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 372
TEST BANK 4
