MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY
PHARMACOLOGY NURS-615
EXAM 2 WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS 2026
How does carbamazepine work? correct answers >> Works
by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain
How often should carbamazepine lab values be monitored? What
labs? correct answers >> CBC q 3-4 months
What anti-seizure med auto induces metabolism? correct
answers >> Carbamazepine
What medication decreases the production of RBCs, WBCs, and
platelets? correct answers >> Carbamazepine
What is carbamazepine half-life? correct answers >> Single
dose: 30 hours
Multiple dose: 15 hours
What is a great risk of seizure potential while taking anti-seizure
medications? correct answers >> Stopping the medication
abruptly.
,What type of medication is topiramate (Topamax)? correct
answers >> Anti-seizure med
What does topiramate cause? correct answers >> Electrolyte
imbalance -- hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis
What are adverse effects of topiramate? correct answers >>
Weight loss, high temperature, and inability to sweat
What medication affects Lamictal? correct answers >> OCPs
decrease the effects of this drug, so the dose must be doubled
Can valproate (Depakote) be used during pregnancy? correct
answers >> It is a known teratogen. If needed, must be used
after 1st trimester.
What must be ruled out in patients before starting an anti-
depressant? correct answers >> hypothyroidism
Anti-depressant that is to be used with caution in cardiac patients
due to behaving like class 1 anti-arrythmics? correct answers
>> TCAs
TCA side effects are mainly of what type? correct answers >>
Anti-cholinergic
What is a first-line antidepressant in children? correct answers
>> fluoxetine (Prozac)
, How do you discontinue an SSRI? correct answers >> Taper
by reducing the dose by 50% for 3-4 days
When are MAOIs effective? correct answers >> In atypical
depression or Parkinson's
Why are MAOIs reserved for last line of treatment? correct
answers >> Lethal drug interactions and food interactions
How long before starting a new antidepressant after MAOIs?
correct answers >> At least 2 weeks to clear it from system
What are high tyramine foods and when are they contraindicated?
correct answers >> Fermented foods; aged cheese, wine alcohol
Contraindicated with MAOI use
Important drug interaction and side effect with MAOIs? correct
answers >> Avoid other serotonin drugs and watch for
hypertensive crisis
What anti-depressant may have sleep issues if taken at night?
correct answers >> fluoxetine (Prozac) (SSRI)
How do SSRIs work? correct answers >> They block the
reuptake of serotonin at the synaptic cleft so there is more
serotonin around
PHARMACOLOGY NURS-615
EXAM 2 WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS 2026
How does carbamazepine work? correct answers >> Works
by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain
How often should carbamazepine lab values be monitored? What
labs? correct answers >> CBC q 3-4 months
What anti-seizure med auto induces metabolism? correct
answers >> Carbamazepine
What medication decreases the production of RBCs, WBCs, and
platelets? correct answers >> Carbamazepine
What is carbamazepine half-life? correct answers >> Single
dose: 30 hours
Multiple dose: 15 hours
What is a great risk of seizure potential while taking anti-seizure
medications? correct answers >> Stopping the medication
abruptly.
,What type of medication is topiramate (Topamax)? correct
answers >> Anti-seizure med
What does topiramate cause? correct answers >> Electrolyte
imbalance -- hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis
What are adverse effects of topiramate? correct answers >>
Weight loss, high temperature, and inability to sweat
What medication affects Lamictal? correct answers >> OCPs
decrease the effects of this drug, so the dose must be doubled
Can valproate (Depakote) be used during pregnancy? correct
answers >> It is a known teratogen. If needed, must be used
after 1st trimester.
What must be ruled out in patients before starting an anti-
depressant? correct answers >> hypothyroidism
Anti-depressant that is to be used with caution in cardiac patients
due to behaving like class 1 anti-arrythmics? correct answers
>> TCAs
TCA side effects are mainly of what type? correct answers >>
Anti-cholinergic
What is a first-line antidepressant in children? correct answers
>> fluoxetine (Prozac)
, How do you discontinue an SSRI? correct answers >> Taper
by reducing the dose by 50% for 3-4 days
When are MAOIs effective? correct answers >> In atypical
depression or Parkinson's
Why are MAOIs reserved for last line of treatment? correct
answers >> Lethal drug interactions and food interactions
How long before starting a new antidepressant after MAOIs?
correct answers >> At least 2 weeks to clear it from system
What are high tyramine foods and when are they contraindicated?
correct answers >> Fermented foods; aged cheese, wine alcohol
Contraindicated with MAOI use
Important drug interaction and side effect with MAOIs? correct
answers >> Avoid other serotonin drugs and watch for
hypertensive crisis
What anti-depressant may have sleep issues if taken at night?
correct answers >> fluoxetine (Prozac) (SSRI)
How do SSRIs work? correct answers >> They block the
reuptake of serotonin at the synaptic cleft so there is more
serotonin around
