NUR 242 Final Test Questions with Correct
Answers
What is the primary mechanism of action for opioid drugs?
They are synthetic drugs that bind to opiate receptors to relieve pain.
List three strong opioid agonists.
Morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, meperidine, fentanyl, or methadone.
Besides pain relief, what are three other clinical indications for opioid use?
Cough center suppression, treatment of diarrhea, and balanced anesthesia.
Which patient populations require extreme caution when using opioids?
Patients with respiratory insufficiency, elevated intracranial pressure, morbid obesity, sleep
apnea, paralytic ileus, or pregnancy.
What is the most serious adverse effect of opioid analgesics?
Respiratory depression.
What is the drug of choice for reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression?
Naloxone (Narcan).
What nursing advice should be given to patients experiencing opioid-induced
constipation?
Encourage increased fluid and fiber intake.
What are the primary therapeutic effects of acetaminophen?
Analgesic and antipyretic effects.
What is the primary risk associated with acetaminophen overdose?
Hepatic necrosis (hepatotoxicity).
What is the recommended antidote for acetaminophen toxicity?
Acetylcysteine regimen.
What is the antidote for benzodiazepine toxicity?
, Flumazenil.
What is a common, unique side effect associated with the nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic
zolpidem?
Somnambulation (sleep walking).
Where is the primary site of action for the majority of muscle relaxants?
The central nervous system (centrally acting).
Muscle relaxants are most effective when used in conjunction with what other therapy?
Physical therapy.
What are the primary contraindications for the use of valproic acid?
Liver impairment and urea cycle disorders.
What specific lab values should be monitored in patients taking valproic acid due to the
risk of hepatotoxicity?
AST and ALT levels.
What is the most important patient education point regarding antiepileptic drug
adherence?
Must adhere closely to dose and frequency; take at the same time every day to maintain
therapeutic blood levels.
How should a patient be instructed to take antiepileptic medications to minimize GI
upset?
Take with food and 6-8 oz of water.
What is the primary difference between benzodiazepines and buspirone regarding their
clinical use?
Buspirone lacks sedative properties and dependency potential (non-habit forming).
What is the mechanism of action for antipsychotic drugs?
Answers
What is the primary mechanism of action for opioid drugs?
They are synthetic drugs that bind to opiate receptors to relieve pain.
List three strong opioid agonists.
Morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, meperidine, fentanyl, or methadone.
Besides pain relief, what are three other clinical indications for opioid use?
Cough center suppression, treatment of diarrhea, and balanced anesthesia.
Which patient populations require extreme caution when using opioids?
Patients with respiratory insufficiency, elevated intracranial pressure, morbid obesity, sleep
apnea, paralytic ileus, or pregnancy.
What is the most serious adverse effect of opioid analgesics?
Respiratory depression.
What is the drug of choice for reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression?
Naloxone (Narcan).
What nursing advice should be given to patients experiencing opioid-induced
constipation?
Encourage increased fluid and fiber intake.
What are the primary therapeutic effects of acetaminophen?
Analgesic and antipyretic effects.
What is the primary risk associated with acetaminophen overdose?
Hepatic necrosis (hepatotoxicity).
What is the recommended antidote for acetaminophen toxicity?
Acetylcysteine regimen.
What is the antidote for benzodiazepine toxicity?
, Flumazenil.
What is a common, unique side effect associated with the nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic
zolpidem?
Somnambulation (sleep walking).
Where is the primary site of action for the majority of muscle relaxants?
The central nervous system (centrally acting).
Muscle relaxants are most effective when used in conjunction with what other therapy?
Physical therapy.
What are the primary contraindications for the use of valproic acid?
Liver impairment and urea cycle disorders.
What specific lab values should be monitored in patients taking valproic acid due to the
risk of hepatotoxicity?
AST and ALT levels.
What is the most important patient education point regarding antiepileptic drug
adherence?
Must adhere closely to dose and frequency; take at the same time every day to maintain
therapeutic blood levels.
How should a patient be instructed to take antiepileptic medications to minimize GI
upset?
Take with food and 6-8 oz of water.
What is the primary difference between benzodiazepines and buspirone regarding their
clinical use?
Buspirone lacks sedative properties and dependency potential (non-habit forming).
What is the mechanism of action for antipsychotic drugs?
