Pharmacology Exam #4 Practice
Questions
A female patient taking lorazepam (Ativan) for panic attacks tells the clinic nurse that
she is trying to get pregnant. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Tell the patient to inform the OB/GYN that she is taking Ativan at her next
appointment
B. Have patient contact her provider because she'll need to stop the medication before
becoming pregnant
C. Assess how long the client has been taking the medication
D. Encourage the client to immediately stop taking Ativan when she is positive for
pregnancy correct answers B. Have patient contact her provider because she'll need to
stop the medication before becoming pregnant
A patient diagnosed with OCD is prescribed the SSRI sertraline (Zoloft). Which
statement indicates the patient understands the medication teaching?
A. "If I experience sexual dysfunction, this is not normal and I will not notify my HCP."
B. "It could take a couple of months before I see a change in my behavior."
C. "I need to be careful because SSRIs may cause physical addiction."
D. "I am glad I don't need to go to therapy anymore." correct answers B. "It could take a
couple of months before I see a change in my behavior."
A patient with major depressive disorder is taking fluoxetine (Prozac) and reports feeling
confused, restless and having an elevated temperature. Which intervention should the
clinic nurse implement?
A. Explain that these are expected side effects
B. Determine if the client has flulike symptoms
C. Instruct the client to stop taking the SSRI
D. Recommend the client take the medication at night. correct answers C. Instruct the
client to stop taking the SSRI
A patient with major depression has been placed on isocarboxazid. The nurse teaches
the patient the dietary restrictions required while taking a MAO inhibitor. The following
statement made by the patient indicates the patient needs more teaching:
A. "I can't take stimulants like caffeine and any drugs with epinephrine."
B. "I can have smoked fish or pickled vegetables."
C. "I don't need to adjust my potassium intake."
D. "I should eat fresh foods and keep my lunch refrigerated when I go to work." correct
answers B. "I can have smoked fish or pickled vegetables."
The nurse prepares to administer the first dose of an antipsychotic agent to a patient.
One hour after administration, it is most important for the nurse to assess what?
, A. The range of motion of the upper and lower extremities
B. The orthostatic blood pressure measurements
C. The abdomen for distention and bowel sounds
D. The tympanic membrane with an otoscope correct answers B. The orthostatic blood
pressure measurements
A patient is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and schizophrenia. The nurse will
closely monitor the blood sugar if the patient receives which medication for the
treatment of schizophrenia?
A. 1st generation antipsychotics
B. 2nd generation antipsychotics
C. 3rd generation antipsychotics correct answers B. 2nd generation antipsychotics
Which manifestations does the nurse associate with tardive dyskinesia?
A. pacing and squirming, with an uncontrollable need for motion
B. mask-like face with drooling, tremors, rigidity, and shuffling gait
C. twisting, worm-like movements of the tongue and face
D. sudden high fever, sweating, and blood pressure fluctuations correct answers C.
twisting, worm-like movements of the tongue and face
The blood-brain barrier can protect the CNS from toxic substances, but can also block
entry of medicines into the CNS (T/F) correct answers True
What is the goal of pharmacologic therapy in the treatment of Parkinson's disease?
A. To block dopamine receptors in presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons
B. To reduce the amount of dopamine available in the substantia nigra
C. To increase the amount of acetylcholine at the presynaptic neurons
D. To balance cholinergic and dopaminergic activity in the brain correct answers D. To
balance cholinergic and dopaminergic activity in the brain
Rationale: Parkinson's disease results from a decrease in dopaminergic (inhibitory)
activity, leaking an imbalance with too much cholinergic (excitatory) activity. With an
increase in dopamine, the neurotransmitter activity becomes more balanced, and
symptoms are controlled.
Match the following drug with its appropriate class:
Dopamine Replacement
Nonergot Derivatives
Ergot Derivatives
COMT inhibitors
MAO-B inhibitors correct answers Dopamine Replacement: Levodopa/carbidopa
Nonergot Derivatives: Apomorphine
Ergot Derivatives: Cabergoline
COMT inhibitors: Entacapone
MAO-B inhibitors: Rasagiline
Questions
A female patient taking lorazepam (Ativan) for panic attacks tells the clinic nurse that
she is trying to get pregnant. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Tell the patient to inform the OB/GYN that she is taking Ativan at her next
appointment
B. Have patient contact her provider because she'll need to stop the medication before
becoming pregnant
C. Assess how long the client has been taking the medication
D. Encourage the client to immediately stop taking Ativan when she is positive for
pregnancy correct answers B. Have patient contact her provider because she'll need to
stop the medication before becoming pregnant
A patient diagnosed with OCD is prescribed the SSRI sertraline (Zoloft). Which
statement indicates the patient understands the medication teaching?
A. "If I experience sexual dysfunction, this is not normal and I will not notify my HCP."
B. "It could take a couple of months before I see a change in my behavior."
C. "I need to be careful because SSRIs may cause physical addiction."
D. "I am glad I don't need to go to therapy anymore." correct answers B. "It could take a
couple of months before I see a change in my behavior."
A patient with major depressive disorder is taking fluoxetine (Prozac) and reports feeling
confused, restless and having an elevated temperature. Which intervention should the
clinic nurse implement?
A. Explain that these are expected side effects
B. Determine if the client has flulike symptoms
C. Instruct the client to stop taking the SSRI
D. Recommend the client take the medication at night. correct answers C. Instruct the
client to stop taking the SSRI
A patient with major depression has been placed on isocarboxazid. The nurse teaches
the patient the dietary restrictions required while taking a MAO inhibitor. The following
statement made by the patient indicates the patient needs more teaching:
A. "I can't take stimulants like caffeine and any drugs with epinephrine."
B. "I can have smoked fish or pickled vegetables."
C. "I don't need to adjust my potassium intake."
D. "I should eat fresh foods and keep my lunch refrigerated when I go to work." correct
answers B. "I can have smoked fish or pickled vegetables."
The nurse prepares to administer the first dose of an antipsychotic agent to a patient.
One hour after administration, it is most important for the nurse to assess what?
, A. The range of motion of the upper and lower extremities
B. The orthostatic blood pressure measurements
C. The abdomen for distention and bowel sounds
D. The tympanic membrane with an otoscope correct answers B. The orthostatic blood
pressure measurements
A patient is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and schizophrenia. The nurse will
closely monitor the blood sugar if the patient receives which medication for the
treatment of schizophrenia?
A. 1st generation antipsychotics
B. 2nd generation antipsychotics
C. 3rd generation antipsychotics correct answers B. 2nd generation antipsychotics
Which manifestations does the nurse associate with tardive dyskinesia?
A. pacing and squirming, with an uncontrollable need for motion
B. mask-like face with drooling, tremors, rigidity, and shuffling gait
C. twisting, worm-like movements of the tongue and face
D. sudden high fever, sweating, and blood pressure fluctuations correct answers C.
twisting, worm-like movements of the tongue and face
The blood-brain barrier can protect the CNS from toxic substances, but can also block
entry of medicines into the CNS (T/F) correct answers True
What is the goal of pharmacologic therapy in the treatment of Parkinson's disease?
A. To block dopamine receptors in presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons
B. To reduce the amount of dopamine available in the substantia nigra
C. To increase the amount of acetylcholine at the presynaptic neurons
D. To balance cholinergic and dopaminergic activity in the brain correct answers D. To
balance cholinergic and dopaminergic activity in the brain
Rationale: Parkinson's disease results from a decrease in dopaminergic (inhibitory)
activity, leaking an imbalance with too much cholinergic (excitatory) activity. With an
increase in dopamine, the neurotransmitter activity becomes more balanced, and
symptoms are controlled.
Match the following drug with its appropriate class:
Dopamine Replacement
Nonergot Derivatives
Ergot Derivatives
COMT inhibitors
MAO-B inhibitors correct answers Dopamine Replacement: Levodopa/carbidopa
Nonergot Derivatives: Apomorphine
Ergot Derivatives: Cabergoline
COMT inhibitors: Entacapone
MAO-B inhibitors: Rasagiline
