NURS 271 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE | COMPLETE NURSING FINAL EXAM
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
What is the class of phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔barbiturate
what is the action of phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔Depresses CNS by inhibiting conduction of
impulses in the ascending RAS --> depressing cerebral cortex and cerebellar function
What is the use of phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔Sedative and antiepileptic agent in the treatment
of generalized tonic-clonic and partial seizures ORAL
Controls acute seizures PARENTERAL
Contraindications to phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔Liver failure
Nephritis
Porphyria (seaweed)
Respiratory depression
Pregnancy
Addiction to barbiturates
Adverse effects of phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔CNS depression, possibly cognitive impairment
w/ sedation
Somnolence
Agitation
Confusion
Vertigo
Nightmares
Stevens-Johnson is most severe (hypersensitivity rxn)
Respiratory problems
Status epilepticus If sudden withdrawal
BBW for phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔Suicidal ideation
Administration guidelines for phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔Oral is given w/out regard to food
Parenteral involves combining with dextrose, LR, and NS but do NOT administer if a precipitate forms
during the combination
ALWAYS inject into large veins at no faster than 60 mg/min
Inadvertent intra-arterial injection can cause spasm of artery and gangrene
Use large needle and inject deep into muscle for IM
Patient teaching for phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔Take vitamin D and calcium supplements bc this
drug increases hepatic metabolism of vitamin D, which reduces Ca++ absorption
This drug is long-term
Do not stop taking abruptly
Have regular tests to determine serum level
Change positions slowly bc of drowsinessor syncope
Use two forms of contraception
,Notify HCP about skin rashes or eruptions
Wear medical alert jewelry
What class is carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Iminostilbenes
What is the action of carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Antiepileptic activity may be related to
inhibition of polysynaptic responses that block post-tetanic potentiation
Blocks Na+ influx into cells, so decreases action potential within cortical neurons
Use of carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Prevent partial seizures with complex symptoms (patients
with psychomotor and temporal lobe epilepsy); generalized tonic-clonic and mixed seizures, either
partial or generalized; uncontrolled seizures or CNS depression on other AEDs
Therapeutic effects of carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Absence of partial, tonic-clonic, or mixed
seizures
Adverse effects of carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Heart block
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Respiratory depression
Hepatitis
Massive hepatic cellular necrosis with total loss of intact liver tissue
Suicidal ideation
BBW for carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Concerning aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis
Contraindications for carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Hypersensitivity to it or TCAs
Admin of MAOIs
Administration guidelines for carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Do NOT administer within 14 days of
MAOI
Never mix suspension with other liquids bc a precipitate may develop
Take with food to avoid GI upset
Patient teaching for carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Take with food
Don't stop taking abruptly
Avoid alcohol, sleep agents, or OTC meds
Have hematologic testing
Use contraceptives
Report bruising or bleeding immediately to HCP
Wear medical alert jewelry
What class is phenytoin? - correct answer ✔✔Hydantoins
What is the action of phenytoin? - correct answer ✔✔It stabilizes the neuronal membrane by delaying
the influx of Na+ ions into the neurons and preventing excitability caused by excessive stimulation
Use of phenytoin? - correct answer ✔✔Control tonic-clonic seizures, psychomotor seizures, and
nonepileptic seizures; prevent seizure activity in patients following neurosurgery and brain injury
, Contraindications of phenytoin? - correct answer ✔✔Seizures related to hypoglycemia, sinus
bradycardia, heart block, and Stokes-Adams syndrome; pregnancy
Adverse effects of pheytoin? - correct answer ✔✔Ataxia, drowsiness, lethargy
N/V
Gingival hyperplasia
Osteoporosis
Hepatitis
Nephritis
Bone marrow depression
Mental confusion
Administration guidelines for phenytoin? - correct answer ✔✔HIGHLY irritating tissues so when giving IV,
use special techniques to prevent irritation
Patient teaching for phenytoin? - correct answer ✔✔Don't stop taking abruptly
Have serum drug levels checked
Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent gum disease
Regular dental checkups
Medical alert jewelry
Class of gabapentin? - correct answer ✔✔GABA structural analog
Action of gabapentin? - correct answer ✔✔Structurally related to GABA and has an antiepileptic action
relation to its ability to inhibit postsynaptic responses to block post-tetanic potentiation, which
decreases excitability
Use of gabapentin? - correct answer ✔✔Adjunctive for partial seizures and postherpetic neuralgia
Off-label for alcohol withdrawal, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain
Contraindications for gabapentin? - correct answer ✔✔Decreased absorption if given at the same time
as antacids
Adverse effects of gabapentin? - correct answer ✔✔Dizziness
Somnolence
Insomnia
Ataxia
Pruritus
Dry mouth
Dyspepsia
N/V
Suicidal ideation
Administration guidelines for gabapentin? - correct answer ✔✔Take ORALLY and with food
Patient teaching for gabapentin? - correct answer ✔✔Take with food
Notify HCP if seizure activity occurs
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
What is the class of phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔barbiturate
what is the action of phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔Depresses CNS by inhibiting conduction of
impulses in the ascending RAS --> depressing cerebral cortex and cerebellar function
What is the use of phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔Sedative and antiepileptic agent in the treatment
of generalized tonic-clonic and partial seizures ORAL
Controls acute seizures PARENTERAL
Contraindications to phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔Liver failure
Nephritis
Porphyria (seaweed)
Respiratory depression
Pregnancy
Addiction to barbiturates
Adverse effects of phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔CNS depression, possibly cognitive impairment
w/ sedation
Somnolence
Agitation
Confusion
Vertigo
Nightmares
Stevens-Johnson is most severe (hypersensitivity rxn)
Respiratory problems
Status epilepticus If sudden withdrawal
BBW for phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔Suicidal ideation
Administration guidelines for phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔Oral is given w/out regard to food
Parenteral involves combining with dextrose, LR, and NS but do NOT administer if a precipitate forms
during the combination
ALWAYS inject into large veins at no faster than 60 mg/min
Inadvertent intra-arterial injection can cause spasm of artery and gangrene
Use large needle and inject deep into muscle for IM
Patient teaching for phenobarbital? - correct answer ✔✔Take vitamin D and calcium supplements bc this
drug increases hepatic metabolism of vitamin D, which reduces Ca++ absorption
This drug is long-term
Do not stop taking abruptly
Have regular tests to determine serum level
Change positions slowly bc of drowsinessor syncope
Use two forms of contraception
,Notify HCP about skin rashes or eruptions
Wear medical alert jewelry
What class is carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Iminostilbenes
What is the action of carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Antiepileptic activity may be related to
inhibition of polysynaptic responses that block post-tetanic potentiation
Blocks Na+ influx into cells, so decreases action potential within cortical neurons
Use of carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Prevent partial seizures with complex symptoms (patients
with psychomotor and temporal lobe epilepsy); generalized tonic-clonic and mixed seizures, either
partial or generalized; uncontrolled seizures or CNS depression on other AEDs
Therapeutic effects of carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Absence of partial, tonic-clonic, or mixed
seizures
Adverse effects of carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Heart block
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Respiratory depression
Hepatitis
Massive hepatic cellular necrosis with total loss of intact liver tissue
Suicidal ideation
BBW for carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Concerning aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis
Contraindications for carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Hypersensitivity to it or TCAs
Admin of MAOIs
Administration guidelines for carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Do NOT administer within 14 days of
MAOI
Never mix suspension with other liquids bc a precipitate may develop
Take with food to avoid GI upset
Patient teaching for carbamazepine? - correct answer ✔✔Take with food
Don't stop taking abruptly
Avoid alcohol, sleep agents, or OTC meds
Have hematologic testing
Use contraceptives
Report bruising or bleeding immediately to HCP
Wear medical alert jewelry
What class is phenytoin? - correct answer ✔✔Hydantoins
What is the action of phenytoin? - correct answer ✔✔It stabilizes the neuronal membrane by delaying
the influx of Na+ ions into the neurons and preventing excitability caused by excessive stimulation
Use of phenytoin? - correct answer ✔✔Control tonic-clonic seizures, psychomotor seizures, and
nonepileptic seizures; prevent seizure activity in patients following neurosurgery and brain injury
, Contraindications of phenytoin? - correct answer ✔✔Seizures related to hypoglycemia, sinus
bradycardia, heart block, and Stokes-Adams syndrome; pregnancy
Adverse effects of pheytoin? - correct answer ✔✔Ataxia, drowsiness, lethargy
N/V
Gingival hyperplasia
Osteoporosis
Hepatitis
Nephritis
Bone marrow depression
Mental confusion
Administration guidelines for phenytoin? - correct answer ✔✔HIGHLY irritating tissues so when giving IV,
use special techniques to prevent irritation
Patient teaching for phenytoin? - correct answer ✔✔Don't stop taking abruptly
Have serum drug levels checked
Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent gum disease
Regular dental checkups
Medical alert jewelry
Class of gabapentin? - correct answer ✔✔GABA structural analog
Action of gabapentin? - correct answer ✔✔Structurally related to GABA and has an antiepileptic action
relation to its ability to inhibit postsynaptic responses to block post-tetanic potentiation, which
decreases excitability
Use of gabapentin? - correct answer ✔✔Adjunctive for partial seizures and postherpetic neuralgia
Off-label for alcohol withdrawal, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain
Contraindications for gabapentin? - correct answer ✔✔Decreased absorption if given at the same time
as antacids
Adverse effects of gabapentin? - correct answer ✔✔Dizziness
Somnolence
Insomnia
Ataxia
Pruritus
Dry mouth
Dyspepsia
N/V
Suicidal ideation
Administration guidelines for gabapentin? - correct answer ✔✔Take ORALLY and with food
Patient teaching for gabapentin? - correct answer ✔✔Take with food
Notify HCP if seizure activity occurs
