Maryville Pharm 615 Exam 2 Elle's
Review Study Guide Solutions
1. Henry has recently started on carbamazepine to treat seizures. He comes to see you
and you note that while his carbamazepine levels had been in the therapeutic range
they are now low. The possible cause for the low carbamazepine levels include: -
ANSWER✔✔-Carbamazepine auto-induces metabolism, leading to lower levels despite
good compliance.
2. Carbamazepine has a Black Box Warning due to life-threatening: - ANSWER✔✔-
Dermatologic reaction, including Steven's Johnson and toxic epidermal necrolysis
3. Long-term monitoring of patients who are taking carbamazepine includes: -
ANSWER✔✔-Complete blood count every 3 to 4 months (can be a decrease in WBC &
platelets)
Six-year-old Felisha has recently been started on ethosuximide (Zarontin) for seizures.
She should be monitored for: - ANSWER✔✔-Blood dyscrasias, which are uncommon
but possible
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,What should families be taught regarding seizure activity monitoring? - ANSWER✔✔-
Prevention of seizures, patient safety, quality of life issues, reach acceptable goals for
treatment, & do not abruptly stop taking seizure meds
What electrolyte imbalance is associated with topiramate? - ANSWER✔✔-Decreased
sodium bicarb leading to hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis
Lisa who is overweight recently started taking topiramate for seizures and at her
follow-up visit you note she has lost 4 kg. The appropriate action would be: -
ANSWER✔✔-Reassure her that this is a normal side effect of topiramate and continue
to monitor her weight.
Travis's seizures are well controlled on topiramate and he wants to start playing
baseball. Education for Travis regarding his topiramate includes: - ANSWER✔✔-He
should monitor his temperature and ability to sweat in the heat while playing
9. Brandy is taking valproate (Depakote) for seizures and would like to get pregnant.
What advice would you give her? - ANSWER✔✔-Valproate is a known teratogen, but
may be taken after the first trimester if necessary. Keppra is a better drug to be on until
the second trimester, then she can go back to valproate.
10. What category is valproate? - ANSWER✔✔-Category X
11. The tricyclic antidepressants should be prescribed cautiously in patients with: -
ANSWER✔✔-Heart disease
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, 12. A 64-year-old male was prescribed phenelzine (Nardil) while in an acute psychiatric
unit for recalcitrant depression. The NP managing his primary health care needs to
understand the following regarding phenelzine and other monoamine oxidase
inhibitors (MAOIs): - ANSWER✔✔-He should not be prescribed any serotonergic drug
such as sumatriptan (Imitrex), MAOIs interact with many common foods, including
yogurt, sour cream, and soy sauce, and symptoms of hypertensive crisis (headache,
tachycardia, sweating) require immediate treatment
13. What are the precautions and contraindications for tricyclic antidepressants? -
ANSWER✔✔-Side effects are similar to anticholinergic activity such as dry mouth,
sedation, constipation, increased appetite, blurred vision, tinnitus, euphoria, and mania.
Caution in patients with cardiac disease (terminate ventricular fibrillation, decrease
cardiac contractility, increase collateral blood circulation to ischemic heart muscles).
14. Marla is started on paroxetine (Paxil) a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) -
ANSWER✔✔-for depression. Education regarding her antidepressant includes:,SSRIs
may take 2 to 6 weeks before she will have maximum drug effects.
15. What "onset of action" symptoms should be reviewed with patients who have been
newly prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor? - ANSWER✔✔-They can feel
a bit of nausea, but this resolves in a week.
16. Which of the following should not be taken with a selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitor? - ANSWER✔✔-Alcohol
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Review Study Guide Solutions
1. Henry has recently started on carbamazepine to treat seizures. He comes to see you
and you note that while his carbamazepine levels had been in the therapeutic range
they are now low. The possible cause for the low carbamazepine levels include: -
ANSWER✔✔-Carbamazepine auto-induces metabolism, leading to lower levels despite
good compliance.
2. Carbamazepine has a Black Box Warning due to life-threatening: - ANSWER✔✔-
Dermatologic reaction, including Steven's Johnson and toxic epidermal necrolysis
3. Long-term monitoring of patients who are taking carbamazepine includes: -
ANSWER✔✔-Complete blood count every 3 to 4 months (can be a decrease in WBC &
platelets)
Six-year-old Felisha has recently been started on ethosuximide (Zarontin) for seizures.
She should be monitored for: - ANSWER✔✔-Blood dyscrasias, which are uncommon
but possible
Copyright ©SOPHIABENNETT 2025 ACADEMIC YEARALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Page 1/17
,What should families be taught regarding seizure activity monitoring? - ANSWER✔✔-
Prevention of seizures, patient safety, quality of life issues, reach acceptable goals for
treatment, & do not abruptly stop taking seizure meds
What electrolyte imbalance is associated with topiramate? - ANSWER✔✔-Decreased
sodium bicarb leading to hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis
Lisa who is overweight recently started taking topiramate for seizures and at her
follow-up visit you note she has lost 4 kg. The appropriate action would be: -
ANSWER✔✔-Reassure her that this is a normal side effect of topiramate and continue
to monitor her weight.
Travis's seizures are well controlled on topiramate and he wants to start playing
baseball. Education for Travis regarding his topiramate includes: - ANSWER✔✔-He
should monitor his temperature and ability to sweat in the heat while playing
9. Brandy is taking valproate (Depakote) for seizures and would like to get pregnant.
What advice would you give her? - ANSWER✔✔-Valproate is a known teratogen, but
may be taken after the first trimester if necessary. Keppra is a better drug to be on until
the second trimester, then she can go back to valproate.
10. What category is valproate? - ANSWER✔✔-Category X
11. The tricyclic antidepressants should be prescribed cautiously in patients with: -
ANSWER✔✔-Heart disease
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, 12. A 64-year-old male was prescribed phenelzine (Nardil) while in an acute psychiatric
unit for recalcitrant depression. The NP managing his primary health care needs to
understand the following regarding phenelzine and other monoamine oxidase
inhibitors (MAOIs): - ANSWER✔✔-He should not be prescribed any serotonergic drug
such as sumatriptan (Imitrex), MAOIs interact with many common foods, including
yogurt, sour cream, and soy sauce, and symptoms of hypertensive crisis (headache,
tachycardia, sweating) require immediate treatment
13. What are the precautions and contraindications for tricyclic antidepressants? -
ANSWER✔✔-Side effects are similar to anticholinergic activity such as dry mouth,
sedation, constipation, increased appetite, blurred vision, tinnitus, euphoria, and mania.
Caution in patients with cardiac disease (terminate ventricular fibrillation, decrease
cardiac contractility, increase collateral blood circulation to ischemic heart muscles).
14. Marla is started on paroxetine (Paxil) a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) -
ANSWER✔✔-for depression. Education regarding her antidepressant includes:,SSRIs
may take 2 to 6 weeks before she will have maximum drug effects.
15. What "onset of action" symptoms should be reviewed with patients who have been
newly prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor? - ANSWER✔✔-They can feel
a bit of nausea, but this resolves in a week.
16. Which of the following should not be taken with a selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitor? - ANSWER✔✔-Alcohol
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