NURS 6521 Advanced Pharmacology Final Exam Questions With
Accurate Answers Latest Update | Graded A+
1. A patient with schizophrenia exhibits poor self-care and poverty of speech.
How should a healthcare provider approach treatment for these negative
symptoms?
Focus solely on addressing positive symptoms.
Implement supportive therapies and encourage social engagement.
Increase the dosage of antipsychotic medication immediately.
Advise the patient to isolate themselves to avoid stress.
2. Describe why a patient might experience prolonged drowsiness after
receiving flurazepam, despite its short half-life.
Prolonged drowsiness may occur due to the drug's active
metabolites or individual patient factors affecting metabolism.
The patient may have taken a higher dose than prescribed.
Flurazepam is not effective in adults, leading to drowsiness.
The patient is experiencing a placebo effect from the medication.
3. Describe the significance of monitoring lithium levels in patients and the
potential implications of levels outside the therapeutic range.
Monitoring is only necessary for patients with severe side effects.
Lithium levels do not need to be monitored regularly as they are
always safe.
Monitoring lithium levels is crucial to avoid toxicity and ensure
therapeutic effectiveness, as levels outside the range can lead to
side effects or treatment failure.
, Lithium levels are only relevant for patients over 65 years old.
4. If a nurse observes prolonged drowsiness in a patient taking flurazepam,
what steps should they take to assess the situation further?
Consult a physician to prescribe a stimulant medication.
Immediately discontinue flurazepam without further assessment.
Evaluate the patient's overall medication regimen and metabolic
status.
Increase the dose of flurazepam to counteract drowsiness.
5. A patient is receiving a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Which of
the following instructions should a nurse provide to the patient?
"Muscle cramping, especially to your neck, may occur."
"This medication may make you feel sleepy."
"You will need to avoid cheese, wine and yeast products while you are
on this medication."
"You may notice some nervousness or anxiety until you adjust to
your medicine."
6. Why is it important for patients with bipolar disorder to understand the side
effects of lithium treatment?
Patients need to know the side effects to avoid taking the medication
altogether.
Understanding the side effects of lithium is crucial for managing
treatment adherence and recognizing potential health risks.
It is important for patients to know that side effects are only
temporary.
, Patients should understand that lithium has no side effects.
7. When a client for whom haloperidol has been prescribed tells the nurse, "I'm
burning up and my muscles are stiff and sore," the nurse suspects neuroleptic
malignant syndrome and recognizes the possibility that the physician may
order
Dantrolene
Benztropine
Venlafaxine
Olanzapine
8. A nurse is caring for an infant after a surgical procedure. After ensuring that
the ordered dose is appropriate for the infant's age and weight, the nurse
administers a narcotic analgesic intravenously. When assessing the infant 15
minutes later, the nurse notes respirations of 22 breaths/minute and a heart
rate of 110 beats/minute. The infant is asleep in the parent's arms and does not
awaken when vital signs are assessed. The nurse understands that these
findings are the result of:
toxic effects of the narcotic, requiring naloxone as an antidote
unexpected side effects of medications in infants
immaturity of the blood-brain barrier in the infant
an allergic reaction to the medication
9. Why is it important for parents to understand the side effects of topical
antihistamines when treating their infant's allergies?
Topical antihistamines are always safe for infants.
Topical antihistamines are more effective than oral medications.
Topical antihistamines can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
, Topical antihistamines have no side effects.
10. A patient with a history of intermittent depressive episodes is admitted to the
hospital with bizarre behavior consistent with mania. Which medication do
you expect the provider to order?
Risperdal (risperidone)
Lithobid (lithium)
Valium (diazepam)
Valproate (divalproex sodium)
11. Describe how a 'drug holiday' might benefit a patient experiencing side
effects from fluoxetine.
It prevents the patient from experiencing any side effects.
It ensures that the patient will not experience any withdrawal
symptoms.
It allows the patient to evaluate whether the side effects diminish
without the medication.
It guarantees that the medication will be more effective upon
resuming.
12. Which of the following are appropriate non-pharmacological treatments in
the management of Bipolar Disorder?
Adequate sleep, nutrition, exercise & stress reduction
Mood charting
Supportive counseling
Psychotherapy
Accurate Answers Latest Update | Graded A+
1. A patient with schizophrenia exhibits poor self-care and poverty of speech.
How should a healthcare provider approach treatment for these negative
symptoms?
Focus solely on addressing positive symptoms.
Implement supportive therapies and encourage social engagement.
Increase the dosage of antipsychotic medication immediately.
Advise the patient to isolate themselves to avoid stress.
2. Describe why a patient might experience prolonged drowsiness after
receiving flurazepam, despite its short half-life.
Prolonged drowsiness may occur due to the drug's active
metabolites or individual patient factors affecting metabolism.
The patient may have taken a higher dose than prescribed.
Flurazepam is not effective in adults, leading to drowsiness.
The patient is experiencing a placebo effect from the medication.
3. Describe the significance of monitoring lithium levels in patients and the
potential implications of levels outside the therapeutic range.
Monitoring is only necessary for patients with severe side effects.
Lithium levels do not need to be monitored regularly as they are
always safe.
Monitoring lithium levels is crucial to avoid toxicity and ensure
therapeutic effectiveness, as levels outside the range can lead to
side effects or treatment failure.
, Lithium levels are only relevant for patients over 65 years old.
4. If a nurse observes prolonged drowsiness in a patient taking flurazepam,
what steps should they take to assess the situation further?
Consult a physician to prescribe a stimulant medication.
Immediately discontinue flurazepam without further assessment.
Evaluate the patient's overall medication regimen and metabolic
status.
Increase the dose of flurazepam to counteract drowsiness.
5. A patient is receiving a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Which of
the following instructions should a nurse provide to the patient?
"Muscle cramping, especially to your neck, may occur."
"This medication may make you feel sleepy."
"You will need to avoid cheese, wine and yeast products while you are
on this medication."
"You may notice some nervousness or anxiety until you adjust to
your medicine."
6. Why is it important for patients with bipolar disorder to understand the side
effects of lithium treatment?
Patients need to know the side effects to avoid taking the medication
altogether.
Understanding the side effects of lithium is crucial for managing
treatment adherence and recognizing potential health risks.
It is important for patients to know that side effects are only
temporary.
, Patients should understand that lithium has no side effects.
7. When a client for whom haloperidol has been prescribed tells the nurse, "I'm
burning up and my muscles are stiff and sore," the nurse suspects neuroleptic
malignant syndrome and recognizes the possibility that the physician may
order
Dantrolene
Benztropine
Venlafaxine
Olanzapine
8. A nurse is caring for an infant after a surgical procedure. After ensuring that
the ordered dose is appropriate for the infant's age and weight, the nurse
administers a narcotic analgesic intravenously. When assessing the infant 15
minutes later, the nurse notes respirations of 22 breaths/minute and a heart
rate of 110 beats/minute. The infant is asleep in the parent's arms and does not
awaken when vital signs are assessed. The nurse understands that these
findings are the result of:
toxic effects of the narcotic, requiring naloxone as an antidote
unexpected side effects of medications in infants
immaturity of the blood-brain barrier in the infant
an allergic reaction to the medication
9. Why is it important for parents to understand the side effects of topical
antihistamines when treating their infant's allergies?
Topical antihistamines are always safe for infants.
Topical antihistamines are more effective than oral medications.
Topical antihistamines can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
, Topical antihistamines have no side effects.
10. A patient with a history of intermittent depressive episodes is admitted to the
hospital with bizarre behavior consistent with mania. Which medication do
you expect the provider to order?
Risperdal (risperidone)
Lithobid (lithium)
Valium (diazepam)
Valproate (divalproex sodium)
11. Describe how a 'drug holiday' might benefit a patient experiencing side
effects from fluoxetine.
It prevents the patient from experiencing any side effects.
It ensures that the patient will not experience any withdrawal
symptoms.
It allows the patient to evaluate whether the side effects diminish
without the medication.
It guarantees that the medication will be more effective upon
resuming.
12. Which of the following are appropriate non-pharmacological treatments in
the management of Bipolar Disorder?
Adequate sleep, nutrition, exercise & stress reduction
Mood charting
Supportive counseling
Psychotherapy
