1|Page
NURS 615 EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE | QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
What lab test should be ordered for patients on Carbamazepine?
......ANSWER......CBC every 3-4 months because it can cause decreased
WBC, decreased platelets, and trouble with RBC
What kind of teaching needs to be done with families of patients who
have seizure disorders? ......ANSWER......Prevention is important,
patient safety is important, Do NOT abruptly stop taking medication.
Ethosuximide (Zarontin), an anti-seizure medication can cause what?
......ANSWER......Blood dyscrasias
Patients taking Topiramate need to be monitored for what electrolyte
imbalance? ......ANSWER......Decreased sodium bicarb leading to
hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis
Topiramate treats seizures and what is one common side effect?
......ANSWER......Normal side effect is weight loss, especially in higher
dose patients
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A child on Topiramate that wants to play sports should monitor what?
......ANSWER......Don't get overheated. Topiramate may affect his ability
to sweat in the heat.
What should a pregnant patient be told about taking Valproate
(Depakote)? ......ANSWER......It is a known teratogen and category X
medication. It should not be used in the first trimester, it may be
restarted in second trimester.
What patient population should tricyclic antidepressants be used
cautiously in? ......ANSWER......Heart Disease patients
Phenelzine (Nardil) is a MAOI. What teaching needs to be done with
this medication? ......ANSWER......He should not use serotonergic drugs
like Imitrex. Also, this class of medication interacts with yogurt, sour
cream, soy sauce, etc.
Phenelzine (Nardil) may cause what if there is an interaction with
known contraindicated foods? ......ANSWER......Hypertensive crisis
What are the side effects of tricyclic antidepressants?
......ANSWER......Anticholinergic type effects like dry mouth, sedation,
constipation, increased appetite, blurred vision, tinnitus, euphoria,
mania
How long does it take for SSRIs to take effect ......ANSWER......2-6 weeks
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SSRIs may cause what onset of action symptoms?
......ANSWER......Nausea, but this will usually resolve in a week.
What is one thing you should not do with SSRIs? ......ANSWER......Drink
alcohol
What should happen when going off an SSRI? ......ANSWER......Wean
slowly, do not stop abruptly
What medications would a patient with depression and anxiety respond
well to? ......ANSWER......Buspar and an SSRI combined
Celexa (Citalopram)
Lexapro (Escitalopram)
Why should you combine an SSRI with Buspar? ......ANSWER......Buspar
augments the SSRI and is a good combo for anxiety and depression
What is a first line drug for mild to moderate generalized anxiety
disorder? ......ANSWER......Buspirone
How fast does Celexa start to demonstrate effects?
......ANSWER......Improved appetitie and concentration in 1-2 weeks.
NURS 615 EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE | QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
What lab test should be ordered for patients on Carbamazepine?
......ANSWER......CBC every 3-4 months because it can cause decreased
WBC, decreased platelets, and trouble with RBC
What kind of teaching needs to be done with families of patients who
have seizure disorders? ......ANSWER......Prevention is important,
patient safety is important, Do NOT abruptly stop taking medication.
Ethosuximide (Zarontin), an anti-seizure medication can cause what?
......ANSWER......Blood dyscrasias
Patients taking Topiramate need to be monitored for what electrolyte
imbalance? ......ANSWER......Decreased sodium bicarb leading to
hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis
Topiramate treats seizures and what is one common side effect?
......ANSWER......Normal side effect is weight loss, especially in higher
dose patients
,2|Page
A child on Topiramate that wants to play sports should monitor what?
......ANSWER......Don't get overheated. Topiramate may affect his ability
to sweat in the heat.
What should a pregnant patient be told about taking Valproate
(Depakote)? ......ANSWER......It is a known teratogen and category X
medication. It should not be used in the first trimester, it may be
restarted in second trimester.
What patient population should tricyclic antidepressants be used
cautiously in? ......ANSWER......Heart Disease patients
Phenelzine (Nardil) is a MAOI. What teaching needs to be done with
this medication? ......ANSWER......He should not use serotonergic drugs
like Imitrex. Also, this class of medication interacts with yogurt, sour
cream, soy sauce, etc.
Phenelzine (Nardil) may cause what if there is an interaction with
known contraindicated foods? ......ANSWER......Hypertensive crisis
What are the side effects of tricyclic antidepressants?
......ANSWER......Anticholinergic type effects like dry mouth, sedation,
constipation, increased appetite, blurred vision, tinnitus, euphoria,
mania
How long does it take for SSRIs to take effect ......ANSWER......2-6 weeks
, 3|Page
SSRIs may cause what onset of action symptoms?
......ANSWER......Nausea, but this will usually resolve in a week.
What is one thing you should not do with SSRIs? ......ANSWER......Drink
alcohol
What should happen when going off an SSRI? ......ANSWER......Wean
slowly, do not stop abruptly
What medications would a patient with depression and anxiety respond
well to? ......ANSWER......Buspar and an SSRI combined
Celexa (Citalopram)
Lexapro (Escitalopram)
Why should you combine an SSRI with Buspar? ......ANSWER......Buspar
augments the SSRI and is a good combo for anxiety and depression
What is a first line drug for mild to moderate generalized anxiety
disorder? ......ANSWER......Buspirone
How fast does Celexa start to demonstrate effects?
......ANSWER......Improved appetitie and concentration in 1-2 weeks.
