EXAM: EAQs Pharmacology Exam with
Complete Solutions
Which adverse effect is least likely to occur in a client who is prescribed clozapine?
CORRECT ANS-Myocarditis
Rationale:
A primary healthcare provider prescribes oxazepam for a client who is beginning to
experience withdrawal symptoms while undergoing detoxification. What are the primary
reasons that oxazepam is given during detoxification? CORRECT ANS-Reduces the anxiety-
tremor state and prevents more serious withdrawal symptoms
Rationale: Oxazepam potentiates the actions of gamma-aminobutyric acid, especially in the
limbic system and reticular formation and thus minimizes withdrawal symptoms. This drug
helps reduce the risk for seizures but does not prevent injury or protect the client during a
seizure.
Nortriptyline three times a day is prescribed for a depressed client. When does the nurse
expect a therapeutic response? CORRECT ANS-2-3 weeks
, EXAM: EAQs Pharmacology Exam with
Complete Solutions
Rationale: most tricyclics take 2-3 weeks for optimal therapeutic effects to occur
A nurse notes that haloperidol is most effective for clients who exhibit which type of
behavior? CORRECT ANS-Overactivity
Rationale: Haloperidol reduces emotional tension, excessive psychomotor activity, panic, and
fear. It is used for clients with thought disorders and hyperactivity. Clients exhibiting excited-
depressed behavior do not respond well to haloperidol, because it tends to worsen the
depression. Haloperidol appears to have few stimulating effects for a withdrawn client and, in
fact, increases feelings of lassitude and fatigue. Haloperidol does not decrease manipulative
behavior. Clients who are capable of manipulation usually do not exhibit behavior that
involves overactivity, fear, and panic.
A client with schizophrenia is given an antipsychotic drug. The nurse recalls all the
extrapyramidal effects associated with this type of medication and anticipates that the drug
will be discontinued if which occurs? CORRECT ANS-Tardive dyskinesia
, EXAM: EAQs Pharmacology Exam with
Complete Solutions
Rationale: The protrusion and ventricular movement of the tongue, chewing and puckering of
the lips and puffing of the cheeks. Adverse effects may not be reversed when antipsychotic
drugs are withdrawn
An antianxiety medication is prescribed for an extremely anxious client. The client says, "I'm
afraid to take this medication because I heard they're addictive." The nurse teaches the client
that antianxiety medications have what properties? CORRECT ANS-Antianxiety
medications have the potential for physiologic and psychological dependence; the nurse
should teach the client about both the advantages and disadvantages of taking this drug.
Physiologic or psychological dependence may develop, even when the dosage is controlled.
Tolerance does develop and can lead to dependence.
Which monoamine oxidase inhibitor is used to treat Parkinson disease? CORRECT ANS-
Selegiline
It is a monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor used to treat Parkinson disease. Phenelzine,
isocarboxazid, and tranylcypromine are nonselective inhibitors of both type A and B used in
the treatment of depression.
, EXAM: EAQs Pharmacology Exam with
Complete Solutions
Which is a second-generation antidepressant drug? CORRECT ANS-Citalopram is an
example of a second-generation antidepressant drug. Doxepin, protriptyline, and
trimipramine are examples of first-generation antidepressant drugs.
Which drug may lead to bruxism? CORRECT ANS-Levomilnacipran
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin/epinephrine reuptake inhibitors may lead to
bruxism. Levomilnacipran is a serotonin/epinephrine reuptake inhibitor that may cause
bruxism. Vilazodone is an atypical antidepressant that does not cause bruxism. Isocarboxazid
is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor that does not cause bruxism. Clomipramine is a tricyclic
antidepressant that does not cause bruxism.
A client with a history of methamphetamine use is admitted to the medical unit. What clinical
manifestation does the nurse expect when assessing the client? CORRECT ANS-Increased
heart rate
Methamphetamine is a stimulant that causes the release of adrenaline, which activates the
sympathetic nervous system. The pupils will dilate, not constrict, because the sympathetic
nervous system is activated. Clients withdrawing from opioids, not methamphetamine,
Complete Solutions
Which adverse effect is least likely to occur in a client who is prescribed clozapine?
CORRECT ANS-Myocarditis
Rationale:
A primary healthcare provider prescribes oxazepam for a client who is beginning to
experience withdrawal symptoms while undergoing detoxification. What are the primary
reasons that oxazepam is given during detoxification? CORRECT ANS-Reduces the anxiety-
tremor state and prevents more serious withdrawal symptoms
Rationale: Oxazepam potentiates the actions of gamma-aminobutyric acid, especially in the
limbic system and reticular formation and thus minimizes withdrawal symptoms. This drug
helps reduce the risk for seizures but does not prevent injury or protect the client during a
seizure.
Nortriptyline three times a day is prescribed for a depressed client. When does the nurse
expect a therapeutic response? CORRECT ANS-2-3 weeks
, EXAM: EAQs Pharmacology Exam with
Complete Solutions
Rationale: most tricyclics take 2-3 weeks for optimal therapeutic effects to occur
A nurse notes that haloperidol is most effective for clients who exhibit which type of
behavior? CORRECT ANS-Overactivity
Rationale: Haloperidol reduces emotional tension, excessive psychomotor activity, panic, and
fear. It is used for clients with thought disorders and hyperactivity. Clients exhibiting excited-
depressed behavior do not respond well to haloperidol, because it tends to worsen the
depression. Haloperidol appears to have few stimulating effects for a withdrawn client and, in
fact, increases feelings of lassitude and fatigue. Haloperidol does not decrease manipulative
behavior. Clients who are capable of manipulation usually do not exhibit behavior that
involves overactivity, fear, and panic.
A client with schizophrenia is given an antipsychotic drug. The nurse recalls all the
extrapyramidal effects associated with this type of medication and anticipates that the drug
will be discontinued if which occurs? CORRECT ANS-Tardive dyskinesia
, EXAM: EAQs Pharmacology Exam with
Complete Solutions
Rationale: The protrusion and ventricular movement of the tongue, chewing and puckering of
the lips and puffing of the cheeks. Adverse effects may not be reversed when antipsychotic
drugs are withdrawn
An antianxiety medication is prescribed for an extremely anxious client. The client says, "I'm
afraid to take this medication because I heard they're addictive." The nurse teaches the client
that antianxiety medications have what properties? CORRECT ANS-Antianxiety
medications have the potential for physiologic and psychological dependence; the nurse
should teach the client about both the advantages and disadvantages of taking this drug.
Physiologic or psychological dependence may develop, even when the dosage is controlled.
Tolerance does develop and can lead to dependence.
Which monoamine oxidase inhibitor is used to treat Parkinson disease? CORRECT ANS-
Selegiline
It is a monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor used to treat Parkinson disease. Phenelzine,
isocarboxazid, and tranylcypromine are nonselective inhibitors of both type A and B used in
the treatment of depression.
, EXAM: EAQs Pharmacology Exam with
Complete Solutions
Which is a second-generation antidepressant drug? CORRECT ANS-Citalopram is an
example of a second-generation antidepressant drug. Doxepin, protriptyline, and
trimipramine are examples of first-generation antidepressant drugs.
Which drug may lead to bruxism? CORRECT ANS-Levomilnacipran
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin/epinephrine reuptake inhibitors may lead to
bruxism. Levomilnacipran is a serotonin/epinephrine reuptake inhibitor that may cause
bruxism. Vilazodone is an atypical antidepressant that does not cause bruxism. Isocarboxazid
is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor that does not cause bruxism. Clomipramine is a tricyclic
antidepressant that does not cause bruxism.
A client with a history of methamphetamine use is admitted to the medical unit. What clinical
manifestation does the nurse expect when assessing the client? CORRECT ANS-Increased
heart rate
Methamphetamine is a stimulant that causes the release of adrenaline, which activates the
sympathetic nervous system. The pupils will dilate, not constrict, because the sympathetic
nervous system is activated. Clients withdrawing from opioids, not methamphetamine,
