Chapter 14: Central Nervous System Stimulants and Related Drugs
Sealock: Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which condition is an indication for a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant drug?
a. Insomnia
b. Depression
c. Appetite enhancement d. Appetite suppression
ANS: D
CNS stimulant drugs can be used as appetite suppressants (anorexiants) for appetite control. DIF:
Cognitive Level: Knowledge
2. Caffeine should be used with caution in which patient?
a. A male with a history of peptic ulcers
b. A female with a history of migraine headaches c. A teenager with a history of asthma
d. A male with a history of kidney stones
ANS: A
Caffeine should be used with caution in patients who have a history of peptic ulcers or cardiac
dysrhythmias or who have recently had a myocardial infarction.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
3. A patient has a new prescription for orlistat as part of his treatment for weight loss. What important
information should the nurse include when providing patient education about orlistat?
a. This medication is a CNS stimulant.
b. This medication reduces fat absorption by about 30%.
c. This drug is used for obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher. d. This drug is
most effective for individuals with Crohn’s disease.
ANS: B
, Orlistat (Xenical®) works by binding to gastric and pancreatic enzymes called lipases. Blocking these
enzymes reduces fat absorption by approximately 30%. Orlistat is not a CNS stimulant. It is used for
patients with a BMI greater than 30. It is contraindicated in individuals with Crohn’s disease.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
4. A 6-year-old boy has been started on methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) for the treatment of
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). His mother tells the nurse that she has been giving the
medication at bedtime so that it will be “in his system” when he goes to school the next morning. Which is
the nurse’s best response to the patient’s mother?
a. The medication dosage is being given appropriately.
b. The medication should not be taken until the boy is at school.
c. The medication should be taken with meals for optimal absorption.
d. The medication should be given 4 to 6 hours before bedtime to diminish the insomnia it causes.
ANS: D
CNS stimulants should be taken 4 to 6 hours before bedtime to decrease insomnia. DIF: Cognitive Level:
Application
5. A 22-year-old nursing student has been taking Excedrin Extra-Strength tablets for the past few weeks
to “make it through” the end of the semester and examination week. The feeling of being “exhausted” has
brought the patient to the clinic today. Which nursing diagnosis is appropriate?
a. Nonadherence
b. Impaired physical mobility c. Disturbed sleep pattern
d. Imbalanced nutrition (less than body requirements)
ANS: C
Excedrin Extra-Strength is acetaminophen 500 mg with caffeine 65 mg, which is a CNS stimulant that can
be used to increase mental alertness. Restlessness, anxiety, and insomnia are common adverse effects.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
6. Which CNS stimulant drug is used to treat acute migraines?
a. zolmitriptan (Zomig®)
b. Amphetamines
Sealock: Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which condition is an indication for a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant drug?
a. Insomnia
b. Depression
c. Appetite enhancement d. Appetite suppression
ANS: D
CNS stimulant drugs can be used as appetite suppressants (anorexiants) for appetite control. DIF:
Cognitive Level: Knowledge
2. Caffeine should be used with caution in which patient?
a. A male with a history of peptic ulcers
b. A female with a history of migraine headaches c. A teenager with a history of asthma
d. A male with a history of kidney stones
ANS: A
Caffeine should be used with caution in patients who have a history of peptic ulcers or cardiac
dysrhythmias or who have recently had a myocardial infarction.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
3. A patient has a new prescription for orlistat as part of his treatment for weight loss. What important
information should the nurse include when providing patient education about orlistat?
a. This medication is a CNS stimulant.
b. This medication reduces fat absorption by about 30%.
c. This drug is used for obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher. d. This drug is
most effective for individuals with Crohn’s disease.
ANS: B
, Orlistat (Xenical®) works by binding to gastric and pancreatic enzymes called lipases. Blocking these
enzymes reduces fat absorption by approximately 30%. Orlistat is not a CNS stimulant. It is used for
patients with a BMI greater than 30. It is contraindicated in individuals with Crohn’s disease.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
4. A 6-year-old boy has been started on methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) for the treatment of
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). His mother tells the nurse that she has been giving the
medication at bedtime so that it will be “in his system” when he goes to school the next morning. Which is
the nurse’s best response to the patient’s mother?
a. The medication dosage is being given appropriately.
b. The medication should not be taken until the boy is at school.
c. The medication should be taken with meals for optimal absorption.
d. The medication should be given 4 to 6 hours before bedtime to diminish the insomnia it causes.
ANS: D
CNS stimulants should be taken 4 to 6 hours before bedtime to decrease insomnia. DIF: Cognitive Level:
Application
5. A 22-year-old nursing student has been taking Excedrin Extra-Strength tablets for the past few weeks
to “make it through” the end of the semester and examination week. The feeling of being “exhausted” has
brought the patient to the clinic today. Which nursing diagnosis is appropriate?
a. Nonadherence
b. Impaired physical mobility c. Disturbed sleep pattern
d. Imbalanced nutrition (less than body requirements)
ANS: C
Excedrin Extra-Strength is acetaminophen 500 mg with caffeine 65 mg, which is a CNS stimulant that can
be used to increase mental alertness. Restlessness, anxiety, and insomnia are common adverse effects.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
6. Which CNS stimulant drug is used to treat acute migraines?
a. zolmitriptan (Zomig®)
b. Amphetamines
