NSG 5240 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL
EXAM 2026-2027 PREP QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
Antonia is a 3-year-old child who has a history of status epilepticus. Along with
her routine anti-seizure medication, she should also have a home prescription
for_________ to be used for an episode of status epilepticus.
1. IV phenobarbital
2. Rectal diazepam (Diastat)
3. IV phenytoin (Dilantin)
4. Oral carbamazepine (Tegretol)
2. Rectal diazepam (Diastat)
Rabi is being prescribed phenytoin for seizures. Monitoring includes assessing:
1. For phenytoin hypersensitivity syndrome 3 to 8 weeks after starting treatment
2. For pedal edema throughout therapy
3. Heart rate at each visit and consider altering therapy if heart rate is less than 60
bpm
4. For vision changes, such as red-green blindness, at least annually
1. For phenytoin hypersensitivity syndrome 3 to 8 weeks after starting treatment
Dwayne has recently started on carbamazepine to treat seizures. He comes to see
you and you note that while his carbamazepine levels had been in the therapeutic
,range, they are now low. The possible cause for the low carbamazepine levels
include:
1. Dwayne hasn't been taking his carbamazepine because it causes insomnia.
2. Carbamazepine auto-induces metabolism, leading to lower levels in spite of
good compliance.
3. Dwayne was not originally prescribed the correct amount of carbamazepine.
4. Carbamazepine is probably not the right antiseizure medication for Dwayne.
2. Carbamazepine auto-induces metabolism, leading to lower levels in spite of
good compliance.
Carbamazepine has a Black Box Warning due to life-threatening:
1. Renal toxicity, leading to renal failure
2. Hepatotoxicity, leading to liver failure
3. Dermatologic reaction, including Steven's Johnson and toxic epidermal
necrolysis
4. Cardiac effects, including supraventricular tachycardia
3. Dermatologic reaction, including Steven's Johnson and toxic epidermal
necrolysis
Six-year-old Lucy has recently been started on ethosuximide (Zarontin) for
seizures. She should be monitored for:
1. Increased seizure activity, as this drug may auto-induce seizures
2. Altered renal function, including renal failure
3. Blood dyscrasias, which are uncommon but possible
4. Central nervous system excitement, leading to insomnia
,3. Blood dyscrasias, which are uncommon but possible
Sook has been prescribed gabapentin to treat neuropathic pain and is complaining
of feeling depressed and having "strange" thoughts. The appropriate initial action
would be:
1. Increase her dose
2. Assess for suicidal ideation
3. Discontinue the medication immediately
4. Decrease her dose to half then slowly titrate up the dose
2. Assess for suicidal ideation
Selma, who is overweight, recently started taking topiramate for seizures and at her
follow-up visit you note she has lost 3 kg. The appropriate action would be:
1. Tell her to increase her caloric intake to counter the effects of the topiramate.
2. Consult with a neurologist, as this is not a common adverse effect of topiramate.
3. Decrease her dose of topiramate.
4. Reassure her that this is a normal side effect of topiramate and continue to
monitor her weight.
4. Reassure her that this is a normal side effect of topiramate and continue to
monitor her weight.
Monitoring of a patient on gabapentin to treat seizures includes:
1. Routine therapeutic drug levels every 3 to 4 months
2. Assessing for dermatologic reactions, including Steven's Johnson
, 3. Routine serum electrolytes, especially in hot weather
4. Recording seizure frequency, duration, and severity
4. Recording seizure frequency, duration, and severity
Scott's seizures are well controlled on topiramate and he wants to start playing
baseball. Education for Scott regarding his topiramate includes:
1. He should not play sports due to the risk of increased seizures
2. He should monitor his temperature and ability to sweat in the heat while playing
3. Reminding him that he may need higher dosages of topiramate when exercising
4. Encouraging him to use sunscreen due to photosensitivity from topiramate
2. He should monitor his temperature and ability to sweat in the heat while playing
Cara is taking levetiracetam (Keppra) to treat seizures. Routine education for
levetiracetam includes reminding her:
1. To not abruptly discontinue levetiracetam due to risk for withdrawal seizures
2. To wear sunscreen due to photosensitivity from levetiracetam
3. To get an annual eye exam while on levetiracetam
4. To report weight loss if it occurs
1. To not abruptly discontinue levetiracetam due to risk for withdrawal seizures
Levetiracetam has known drug interactions with:
1. Combined oral contraceptives
2. Carbamazepine
EXAM 2026-2027 PREP QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
Antonia is a 3-year-old child who has a history of status epilepticus. Along with
her routine anti-seizure medication, she should also have a home prescription
for_________ to be used for an episode of status epilepticus.
1. IV phenobarbital
2. Rectal diazepam (Diastat)
3. IV phenytoin (Dilantin)
4. Oral carbamazepine (Tegretol)
2. Rectal diazepam (Diastat)
Rabi is being prescribed phenytoin for seizures. Monitoring includes assessing:
1. For phenytoin hypersensitivity syndrome 3 to 8 weeks after starting treatment
2. For pedal edema throughout therapy
3. Heart rate at each visit and consider altering therapy if heart rate is less than 60
bpm
4. For vision changes, such as red-green blindness, at least annually
1. For phenytoin hypersensitivity syndrome 3 to 8 weeks after starting treatment
Dwayne has recently started on carbamazepine to treat seizures. He comes to see
you and you note that while his carbamazepine levels had been in the therapeutic
,range, they are now low. The possible cause for the low carbamazepine levels
include:
1. Dwayne hasn't been taking his carbamazepine because it causes insomnia.
2. Carbamazepine auto-induces metabolism, leading to lower levels in spite of
good compliance.
3. Dwayne was not originally prescribed the correct amount of carbamazepine.
4. Carbamazepine is probably not the right antiseizure medication for Dwayne.
2. Carbamazepine auto-induces metabolism, leading to lower levels in spite of
good compliance.
Carbamazepine has a Black Box Warning due to life-threatening:
1. Renal toxicity, leading to renal failure
2. Hepatotoxicity, leading to liver failure
3. Dermatologic reaction, including Steven's Johnson and toxic epidermal
necrolysis
4. Cardiac effects, including supraventricular tachycardia
3. Dermatologic reaction, including Steven's Johnson and toxic epidermal
necrolysis
Six-year-old Lucy has recently been started on ethosuximide (Zarontin) for
seizures. She should be monitored for:
1. Increased seizure activity, as this drug may auto-induce seizures
2. Altered renal function, including renal failure
3. Blood dyscrasias, which are uncommon but possible
4. Central nervous system excitement, leading to insomnia
,3. Blood dyscrasias, which are uncommon but possible
Sook has been prescribed gabapentin to treat neuropathic pain and is complaining
of feeling depressed and having "strange" thoughts. The appropriate initial action
would be:
1. Increase her dose
2. Assess for suicidal ideation
3. Discontinue the medication immediately
4. Decrease her dose to half then slowly titrate up the dose
2. Assess for suicidal ideation
Selma, who is overweight, recently started taking topiramate for seizures and at her
follow-up visit you note she has lost 3 kg. The appropriate action would be:
1. Tell her to increase her caloric intake to counter the effects of the topiramate.
2. Consult with a neurologist, as this is not a common adverse effect of topiramate.
3. Decrease her dose of topiramate.
4. Reassure her that this is a normal side effect of topiramate and continue to
monitor her weight.
4. Reassure her that this is a normal side effect of topiramate and continue to
monitor her weight.
Monitoring of a patient on gabapentin to treat seizures includes:
1. Routine therapeutic drug levels every 3 to 4 months
2. Assessing for dermatologic reactions, including Steven's Johnson
, 3. Routine serum electrolytes, especially in hot weather
4. Recording seizure frequency, duration, and severity
4. Recording seizure frequency, duration, and severity
Scott's seizures are well controlled on topiramate and he wants to start playing
baseball. Education for Scott regarding his topiramate includes:
1. He should not play sports due to the risk of increased seizures
2. He should monitor his temperature and ability to sweat in the heat while playing
3. Reminding him that he may need higher dosages of topiramate when exercising
4. Encouraging him to use sunscreen due to photosensitivity from topiramate
2. He should monitor his temperature and ability to sweat in the heat while playing
Cara is taking levetiracetam (Keppra) to treat seizures. Routine education for
levetiracetam includes reminding her:
1. To not abruptly discontinue levetiracetam due to risk for withdrawal seizures
2. To wear sunscreen due to photosensitivity from levetiracetam
3. To get an annual eye exam while on levetiracetam
4. To report weight loss if it occurs
1. To not abruptly discontinue levetiracetam due to risk for withdrawal seizures
Levetiracetam has known drug interactions with:
1. Combined oral contraceptives
2. Carbamazepine
