Pharmacology Test 1 2026
Exam Questions and Answers |
Already Graded A+
The nurse is planning care for a patient taking imipramine (Tofranil).
Which finding, if present, would most likely be an adverse effect of this
drug? - ANSWER ✔✔Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred
vision, constipation, tachycardia, urinary retention) and sedation are
potential adverse effects of the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as
imipramine (Tofranil). The most serious common adverse effect is
orthostatic hypotension; therefore, a blood pressure of 160/90 mm Hg
,probably is not caused by this drug. Respiratory problems are not
commonly associated with the TCAs.
The nurse is monitoring a patient with depression in the early phase of
treatment with amitriptyline (Elavil). Which question is most important for
the nurse to ask the patient? - ANSWER ✔✔In the early phase of
treatment for depression, suicide risk may increase. Patients should be
monitored closely for worsening mood, unusual changes in behavior,
and suicide risk. The other questions would be useful in assessing the
patient for adverse effects of amitriptyline (Elavil), but assessing suicide
risk is the most important intervention.
A patient taking fluoxetine (Prozac) complains of decreased sexual
interest. A prescriber orders a "drug holiday." What teaching by the nurse
would best describe a drug holiday?
a. "Cut the tablet in half anytime to reduce the dosage."
b. "Discontinue the drug for 1 week."
c. "Don't take the medication on Friday and Saturday."
d. "Take the drug every other day." - ANSWER ✔✔ANS: C
Sexual dysfunction may be managed by having the patient take a drug
holiday, which involves discontinuing medication on Fridays and
Saturdays. Cutting the tablet in half anytime to reduce the dosage is an
, inappropriate way to manage drug administration effectively. In addition,
it does not describe a drug holiday. The patient should not take the drug
every other day, nor should it be discontinued for a week at a time,
because this would diminish the therapeutic levels of the drug, thereby
minimizing the therapeutic effects. In addition, neither of those options
describe a drug holiday.
A patient is diagnosed with major depression with severe symptoms and
begins taking an antidepressant medication. Three weeks after
beginning therapy, the patient tells the nurse that the drug is not working.
The nurse will counsel this patient to ask the provider about:
a. adding a second medication to complement this drug.
b. changing the medication to one in a different drug class.
c. increasing the dose of this medication.
d. using nondrug therapies to augment the medication. - ANSWER
✔✔ANS: D
Patients with severe depression benefit more from a combination of drug
therapy and psychotherapy than from either component alone, so this
patient should ask the provider about nondrug therapies. Once a drug
has been selected for treatment, it must be used for 4 to 8 weeks before
3
COPYRIGHT©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2026. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY
STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Exam Questions and Answers |
Already Graded A+
The nurse is planning care for a patient taking imipramine (Tofranil).
Which finding, if present, would most likely be an adverse effect of this
drug? - ANSWER ✔✔Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred
vision, constipation, tachycardia, urinary retention) and sedation are
potential adverse effects of the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as
imipramine (Tofranil). The most serious common adverse effect is
orthostatic hypotension; therefore, a blood pressure of 160/90 mm Hg
,probably is not caused by this drug. Respiratory problems are not
commonly associated with the TCAs.
The nurse is monitoring a patient with depression in the early phase of
treatment with amitriptyline (Elavil). Which question is most important for
the nurse to ask the patient? - ANSWER ✔✔In the early phase of
treatment for depression, suicide risk may increase. Patients should be
monitored closely for worsening mood, unusual changes in behavior,
and suicide risk. The other questions would be useful in assessing the
patient for adverse effects of amitriptyline (Elavil), but assessing suicide
risk is the most important intervention.
A patient taking fluoxetine (Prozac) complains of decreased sexual
interest. A prescriber orders a "drug holiday." What teaching by the nurse
would best describe a drug holiday?
a. "Cut the tablet in half anytime to reduce the dosage."
b. "Discontinue the drug for 1 week."
c. "Don't take the medication on Friday and Saturday."
d. "Take the drug every other day." - ANSWER ✔✔ANS: C
Sexual dysfunction may be managed by having the patient take a drug
holiday, which involves discontinuing medication on Fridays and
Saturdays. Cutting the tablet in half anytime to reduce the dosage is an
, inappropriate way to manage drug administration effectively. In addition,
it does not describe a drug holiday. The patient should not take the drug
every other day, nor should it be discontinued for a week at a time,
because this would diminish the therapeutic levels of the drug, thereby
minimizing the therapeutic effects. In addition, neither of those options
describe a drug holiday.
A patient is diagnosed with major depression with severe symptoms and
begins taking an antidepressant medication. Three weeks after
beginning therapy, the patient tells the nurse that the drug is not working.
The nurse will counsel this patient to ask the provider about:
a. adding a second medication to complement this drug.
b. changing the medication to one in a different drug class.
c. increasing the dose of this medication.
d. using nondrug therapies to augment the medication. - ANSWER
✔✔ANS: D
Patients with severe depression benefit more from a combination of drug
therapy and psychotherapy than from either component alone, so this
patient should ask the provider about nondrug therapies. Once a drug
has been selected for treatment, it must be used for 4 to 8 weeks before
3
COPYRIGHT©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2026. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY
STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
