NURS 615
Exam 2 2026 | Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Advanced Pharmacology Exam Prep
Resource Features
➢ NURS 615 Exam 2 practice questions
➢ Detailed answers
➢ Comprehensive rationales
➢ Pharmacology scenarios
➢ Prescribing case studies
,NURS 615 Exam 2 2026 | Practice Questions, Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Advanced Pharmacology Exam Prep
1. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) can sometimes show subtherapeutic
range due to what?
• A) Poor patient compliance
• B) Carbamazepine auto-induces metabolism, leading to lower levels
despite good compliance
• C) The drug is excreted too quickly
• D) The drug is not absorbed properly
Answer: B) Carbamazepine auto-induces metabolism, leading to lower
levels despite good compliance
Rationale: Carbamazepine induces its own metabolism (auto-induction) by
stimulating hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes. This leads to increased
clearance and lower serum levels over time, even when the patient is taking
the medication consistently. Dose adjustments may be needed after several
weeks of therapy.
2. What are the black box warnings for Carbamazepine?
• A) Liver toxicity
• B) Dermatologic reactions: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic
Epidermal Necrolysis
,• C) Cardiac arrhythmias
• D) Nephrotoxicity
Answer: B) Dermatologic reactions: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Rationale: Carbamazepine carries a black box warning for serious and life-
threatening dermatologic reactions, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
(SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). Patients should be educated to
report any rash immediately, especially in the first few months of therapy.
Genetic screening (HLA-B1502) is recommended in Asian populations at
higher risk.*
3. What lab test should be ordered for patients on Carbamazepine?
• A) Complete Blood Count (CBC) every 3-4 months
• B) Liver function tests monthly
• C) Renal function tests
• D) Thyroid function tests
Answer: A) Complete Blood Count (CBC) every 3-4 months
Rationale: Carbamazepine can cause blood dyscrasias including decreased
WBC, decreased platelets, and aplastic anemia. Regular CBC monitoring
every 3-4 months is recommended to detect hematologic abnormalities early.
, Patients should also be monitored for signs of bone marrow suppression
(fever, sore throat, bruising).
4. What kind of teaching needs to be done with families of patients
who have seizure disorders?
• A) Prevention is important, patient safety is important, Do NOT
abruptly stop taking medication
• B) Seizures are not dangerous
• C) Medication can be stopped when seizures stop
• D) Exercise is contraindicated
Answer: A) Prevention is important, patient safety is important, Do
NOT abruptly stop taking medication
Rationale: Key teaching points include: seizure triggers should be identified
and avoided; safety measures during and between seizures (e.g., safe
environment, seizure precautions); and the critical importance of medication
adherence. Abruptly stopping antiseizure medications can precipitate status
epilepticus or rebound seizures.
5. Ethosuximide (Zarontin), an anti-seizure medication can cause what?
• A) Weight gain
• B) Blood dyscrasias
• C) Cardiac arrhythmias
Exam 2 2026 | Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Advanced Pharmacology Exam Prep
Resource Features
➢ NURS 615 Exam 2 practice questions
➢ Detailed answers
➢ Comprehensive rationales
➢ Pharmacology scenarios
➢ Prescribing case studies
,NURS 615 Exam 2 2026 | Practice Questions, Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Advanced Pharmacology Exam Prep
1. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) can sometimes show subtherapeutic
range due to what?
• A) Poor patient compliance
• B) Carbamazepine auto-induces metabolism, leading to lower levels
despite good compliance
• C) The drug is excreted too quickly
• D) The drug is not absorbed properly
Answer: B) Carbamazepine auto-induces metabolism, leading to lower
levels despite good compliance
Rationale: Carbamazepine induces its own metabolism (auto-induction) by
stimulating hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes. This leads to increased
clearance and lower serum levels over time, even when the patient is taking
the medication consistently. Dose adjustments may be needed after several
weeks of therapy.
2. What are the black box warnings for Carbamazepine?
• A) Liver toxicity
• B) Dermatologic reactions: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic
Epidermal Necrolysis
,• C) Cardiac arrhythmias
• D) Nephrotoxicity
Answer: B) Dermatologic reactions: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Rationale: Carbamazepine carries a black box warning for serious and life-
threatening dermatologic reactions, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
(SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). Patients should be educated to
report any rash immediately, especially in the first few months of therapy.
Genetic screening (HLA-B1502) is recommended in Asian populations at
higher risk.*
3. What lab test should be ordered for patients on Carbamazepine?
• A) Complete Blood Count (CBC) every 3-4 months
• B) Liver function tests monthly
• C) Renal function tests
• D) Thyroid function tests
Answer: A) Complete Blood Count (CBC) every 3-4 months
Rationale: Carbamazepine can cause blood dyscrasias including decreased
WBC, decreased platelets, and aplastic anemia. Regular CBC monitoring
every 3-4 months is recommended to detect hematologic abnormalities early.
, Patients should also be monitored for signs of bone marrow suppression
(fever, sore throat, bruising).
4. What kind of teaching needs to be done with families of patients
who have seizure disorders?
• A) Prevention is important, patient safety is important, Do NOT
abruptly stop taking medication
• B) Seizures are not dangerous
• C) Medication can be stopped when seizures stop
• D) Exercise is contraindicated
Answer: A) Prevention is important, patient safety is important, Do
NOT abruptly stop taking medication
Rationale: Key teaching points include: seizure triggers should be identified
and avoided; safety measures during and between seizures (e.g., safe
environment, seizure precautions); and the critical importance of medication
adherence. Abruptly stopping antiseizure medications can precipitate status
epilepticus or rebound seizures.
5. Ethosuximide (Zarontin), an anti-seizure medication can cause what?
• A) Weight gain
• B) Blood dyscrasias
• C) Cardiac arrhythmias
