Chapter 22: CNS Stimulants
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is performing a medication history on a patient who reports using phentermine
HCl (Suprenza) 15 mg/day for the past 3 months as an appetite suppressant. The nurse will
contact the patients provider to discuss
a. changing the medication to phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia).
b. increasing the dose to 37.5 mg/day since tolerance has likely occurred.
c. initiating a slow taper of the phentermine.
d. stopping the drug immediately since long-term use is not recommended.
ANS: C
The nurse should discuss a gradual taper of the medication with the provider. Patients using
anorexiants should not stop taking them abruptly because depression and withdrawal symptoms
may occur. Phentermine-topiramate is recommended for short-term use only. Patients should
not use these medications longer than 12 weeks, so increasing the dose is not indicated.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: dm 289
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Planning/Nursing Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
2. A patient reports having recurring headaches described as 1 to 2 headaches per day for
several weeks. The nurse understands that these headaches are most likely descriptive of which
type of headache?
a. Cluster headache
b. Migraine headache
c. Simple headache
d. Tension headache
ANS: A
Cluster headaches reoccur 1 to 3 times daily in a period lasting from approximately 2 weeks to
3 months. Migraine headaches are severe and characterized by an aura prior to the headache.
Tension headaches are related to stress.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: dm 285
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pathophysiology
3. The nurse is caring for a patient who has migraine headaches. The patient reports having
these headaches more frequently. Which is an appropriate recommendation for this patient? a.
Avoid chocolate and caffeine.
b. Engage in strenuous exercise.
c. Have a glass of red wine with dinner.
d. Take ibuprofen prophylactically.
ANS: A
, Triggering factors for migraine headache include foods such as chocolate, caffeine, and red
wine. Intense physical exertion can trigger migraines. Prophylactic ibuprofen is not indicated.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: dm 285
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Nursing Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pathophysiology
4. The nurse is caring for a 7-year-old child who has difficulty concentrating and
completing tasks and who cannot seem to sit still. Which diagnostic test may be ordered to
assist with a diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in this child? a.
Computerized tomography (CT) of the head
b. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
c. Electroencephalogram (EEG)
d. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain
ANS: C
A child with ADHD may have abnormal EEG findings. CT, MRI, and ECG tests are not
diagnostic for ADHD.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: dm 285
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pathophysiology
5. A patient has been using an amphetamine drug as an anorexiant for several weeks and asks
the nurse about long-term adverse effects of this type of medication. The nurse will explain to
the patient that these drugs
a. can cause cardiac dysrhythmias.
b. contribute to the development of narcolepsy.
c. do not have severe effects when used properly.
d. will cause orthostatic hypotension.
ANS: A
Amphetamines can cause adverse effects in the central nervous, endocrine, gastrointestinal,
and cardiovascular systems even when used as directed. Cardiac dysrhythmias can occur with
continued use. Amphetamines do not cause narcolepsy or hypotension.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: dm 285
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Nursing Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
6. The nurse is teaching a child and a parent about taking methylphenidate (Ritalin) to
treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Which statement by the parent
indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. I should give this drug to my child at bedtime.
b. My child should avoid products containing caffeine.
c. The drug should be stopped immediately if my child develops aggression.
d. We should monitor my childs weight since weight gain is common.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is performing a medication history on a patient who reports using phentermine
HCl (Suprenza) 15 mg/day for the past 3 months as an appetite suppressant. The nurse will
contact the patients provider to discuss
a. changing the medication to phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia).
b. increasing the dose to 37.5 mg/day since tolerance has likely occurred.
c. initiating a slow taper of the phentermine.
d. stopping the drug immediately since long-term use is not recommended.
ANS: C
The nurse should discuss a gradual taper of the medication with the provider. Patients using
anorexiants should not stop taking them abruptly because depression and withdrawal symptoms
may occur. Phentermine-topiramate is recommended for short-term use only. Patients should
not use these medications longer than 12 weeks, so increasing the dose is not indicated.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: dm 289
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Planning/Nursing Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
2. A patient reports having recurring headaches described as 1 to 2 headaches per day for
several weeks. The nurse understands that these headaches are most likely descriptive of which
type of headache?
a. Cluster headache
b. Migraine headache
c. Simple headache
d. Tension headache
ANS: A
Cluster headaches reoccur 1 to 3 times daily in a period lasting from approximately 2 weeks to
3 months. Migraine headaches are severe and characterized by an aura prior to the headache.
Tension headaches are related to stress.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: dm 285
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pathophysiology
3. The nurse is caring for a patient who has migraine headaches. The patient reports having
these headaches more frequently. Which is an appropriate recommendation for this patient? a.
Avoid chocolate and caffeine.
b. Engage in strenuous exercise.
c. Have a glass of red wine with dinner.
d. Take ibuprofen prophylactically.
ANS: A
, Triggering factors for migraine headache include foods such as chocolate, caffeine, and red
wine. Intense physical exertion can trigger migraines. Prophylactic ibuprofen is not indicated.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: dm 285
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Nursing Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pathophysiology
4. The nurse is caring for a 7-year-old child who has difficulty concentrating and
completing tasks and who cannot seem to sit still. Which diagnostic test may be ordered to
assist with a diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in this child? a.
Computerized tomography (CT) of the head
b. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
c. Electroencephalogram (EEG)
d. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain
ANS: C
A child with ADHD may have abnormal EEG findings. CT, MRI, and ECG tests are not
diagnostic for ADHD.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: dm 285
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pathophysiology
5. A patient has been using an amphetamine drug as an anorexiant for several weeks and asks
the nurse about long-term adverse effects of this type of medication. The nurse will explain to
the patient that these drugs
a. can cause cardiac dysrhythmias.
b. contribute to the development of narcolepsy.
c. do not have severe effects when used properly.
d. will cause orthostatic hypotension.
ANS: A
Amphetamines can cause adverse effects in the central nervous, endocrine, gastrointestinal,
and cardiovascular systems even when used as directed. Cardiac dysrhythmias can occur with
continued use. Amphetamines do not cause narcolepsy or hypotension.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: dm 285
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Nursing Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
6. The nurse is teaching a child and a parent about taking methylphenidate (Ritalin) to
treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Which statement by the parent
indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. I should give this drug to my child at bedtime.
b. My child should avoid products containing caffeine.
c. The drug should be stopped immediately if my child develops aggression.
d. We should monitor my childs weight since weight gain is common.
