Chapter 13:Clinical Pharmacology, 8th
Edition
1. What is the mechanism of action for antimigraine agents?
a.
Blocking parasympathetic nerve impulses
b.
Increasing cerebral blood flow
c.
Constricting dilated cerebral arteries
d.
Exerting a sympathomimetic effect - ANSWERS-ANS: C
Adrenergic-blocking agents dilate the veins in smooth-muscle tissue in the peripheral
vascular system and the uterus. This reduces cerebral blood flow and arterial pulsing,
which reduces the headache pain.
2. The nurse is instructing a patient about the use of her oral antimigraine agent. The
instruction should include the best effective action of the drug. Which represents the
best way to take this agent?
a.
Take the medication at the onset of an attack.
b.
This medication should be taken 30 minutes after the onset of the migraine.
c.
Take the medication routinely every night.
d.
Take the medication 30 minutes before meals. - ANSWERS-ANS: A
If antimigraine agents are used at the onset of an attack, the ability of the drugs to
relieve migraine pain and symptoms is increased.
3. A patient comes to the clinic and tells the nurse she might be pregnant. She has
migraine headaches. The physician prescribes dihydroergotamine (DHE 45). The nurse
explains to the patient that this drug is being used for which reason?
a.
This agent dilates vessels.
b.
This agent does not have oxytocic effects.
c.
This agent has no toxic effects.
d.
This agent does not cause dependence. - ANSWERS-ANS: B
The drug causes cerebral vasculature to constrict, but it does not have an oxytocic
effect and can be used during pregnancy.
4. CNS depression, decreased respiratory rate, constricted pupils, tachycardia, and
areflexia are symptoms of overdose with which drugs?
, a.
Barbiturates
b.
Serotonin (5HT) receptor agonists
c.
Dopaminergic agents
d.
Anticholinergic drugs - ANSWERS-ANS: A
In CNS depression due to barbiturate overdose, there is slow, shallow respiration,
miosis, tachycardia, areflexia (absence of reflexes), shock or coma, then death.
5. Which is the drug of choice for status epilepticus?
a.
Tegretol
b.
Phenobarbital
c.
Klonopin
d.
Valium - ANSWERS-ANS: D
Diazepam (Valium) is used intravenously to control seizures and is the drug of choice
for treatment of status epilepticus.
6. The physician has ordered phenobarbital (Luminal) 100 mg three times a day for a
patient with seizures. To help the nurse develop an appropriate care plan for this
patient, which best describes the action of this drug in the body?
a.
It will increase urination for 2 hours after ingestion.
b.
It will cause severe thirst and dryness of the mucous membranes.
c.
It has a long duration and a sedative effect on the brain.
d.
It will lower the seizure threshold. - ANSWERS-ANS: C
Barbiturates have a long duration of action and are used for their sedative effect on the
brain. They also raise the seizure threshold, preventing the level of activity that
produces the seizure.
7. The nurse should include which instructions when teaching an adult patient about an
antivertigo agent?
a.
Some patients experience hyperactivity.
b.
Take 30 to 60 minutes before airplane or boat departure.
c.
Take 30 minutes after meals.
d.
Do not take with dairy products. - ANSWERS-ANS: B
Edition
1. What is the mechanism of action for antimigraine agents?
a.
Blocking parasympathetic nerve impulses
b.
Increasing cerebral blood flow
c.
Constricting dilated cerebral arteries
d.
Exerting a sympathomimetic effect - ANSWERS-ANS: C
Adrenergic-blocking agents dilate the veins in smooth-muscle tissue in the peripheral
vascular system and the uterus. This reduces cerebral blood flow and arterial pulsing,
which reduces the headache pain.
2. The nurse is instructing a patient about the use of her oral antimigraine agent. The
instruction should include the best effective action of the drug. Which represents the
best way to take this agent?
a.
Take the medication at the onset of an attack.
b.
This medication should be taken 30 minutes after the onset of the migraine.
c.
Take the medication routinely every night.
d.
Take the medication 30 minutes before meals. - ANSWERS-ANS: A
If antimigraine agents are used at the onset of an attack, the ability of the drugs to
relieve migraine pain and symptoms is increased.
3. A patient comes to the clinic and tells the nurse she might be pregnant. She has
migraine headaches. The physician prescribes dihydroergotamine (DHE 45). The nurse
explains to the patient that this drug is being used for which reason?
a.
This agent dilates vessels.
b.
This agent does not have oxytocic effects.
c.
This agent has no toxic effects.
d.
This agent does not cause dependence. - ANSWERS-ANS: B
The drug causes cerebral vasculature to constrict, but it does not have an oxytocic
effect and can be used during pregnancy.
4. CNS depression, decreased respiratory rate, constricted pupils, tachycardia, and
areflexia are symptoms of overdose with which drugs?
, a.
Barbiturates
b.
Serotonin (5HT) receptor agonists
c.
Dopaminergic agents
d.
Anticholinergic drugs - ANSWERS-ANS: A
In CNS depression due to barbiturate overdose, there is slow, shallow respiration,
miosis, tachycardia, areflexia (absence of reflexes), shock or coma, then death.
5. Which is the drug of choice for status epilepticus?
a.
Tegretol
b.
Phenobarbital
c.
Klonopin
d.
Valium - ANSWERS-ANS: D
Diazepam (Valium) is used intravenously to control seizures and is the drug of choice
for treatment of status epilepticus.
6. The physician has ordered phenobarbital (Luminal) 100 mg three times a day for a
patient with seizures. To help the nurse develop an appropriate care plan for this
patient, which best describes the action of this drug in the body?
a.
It will increase urination for 2 hours after ingestion.
b.
It will cause severe thirst and dryness of the mucous membranes.
c.
It has a long duration and a sedative effect on the brain.
d.
It will lower the seizure threshold. - ANSWERS-ANS: C
Barbiturates have a long duration of action and are used for their sedative effect on the
brain. They also raise the seizure threshold, preventing the level of activity that
produces the seizure.
7. The nurse should include which instructions when teaching an adult patient about an
antivertigo agent?
a.
Some patients experience hyperactivity.
b.
Take 30 to 60 minutes before airplane or boat departure.
c.
Take 30 minutes after meals.
d.
Do not take with dairy products. - ANSWERS-ANS: B
