ATI Pharmacology: Exam 6 Neuro & Pain Medications
Study Guide 2026 UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for phenytoin to treat
seizures. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Maintain good oral hygiene and visit the dentist regularly.
B. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
C. Discontinue the medication if a mild rash develops.
D. Expect the urine to turn dark orange.
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia (overgrowth of gum tissue). Good oral
hygiene and regular dental checkups are essential to manage this side effect.
2. A client is receiving morphine IV for post-operative pain. Which of the
following assessments is the priority for the nurse to perform?
A. Blood pressure
B. Bowel sounds
C. Temperature
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: D
Rationale: Respiratory depression is the most serious adverse effect of opioid analgesics
like morphine. Monitoring the respiratory rate is the priority assessment.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking carbamazepine for trigeminal
neuralgia. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor
closely?
A. Serum potassium
B. Complete blood count (CBC)
C. Serum calcium
D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: B
Rationale: Carbamazepine can cause blood dyscrasias, including leukopenia, anemia, and
thrombocytopenia. Frequent CBC monitoring is required.
4. A client has a new prescription for levodopa/carbidopa for Parkinson’s
disease. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide?
A. Take the medication with a high-protein meal.
B. Change positions slowly to prevent dizziness.
C. Expect the medication to work fully within 24 hours.
D. Limit fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
Answer: B
Rationale: Levodopa/carbidopa can cause orthostatic hypotension. High-protein meals
should be avoided as they decrease absorption.
5. Which medication is the drug of choice for treating status epilepticus?
A. Diazepam or Lorazepam
B. Valproic acid
C. Gabapentin
D. Ethosuximide
Answer: A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like diazepam or lorazepam are administered IV to stop active,
prolonged seizure activity in status epilepticus.
, 6. A nurse is administering donepezil to a client with Alzheimer’s disease. When
is the best time to administer this medication?
A. At bedtime
B. Before lunch
C. Immediately upon waking
D. With the evening meal
Answer: A
Rationale: Donepezil is typically administered once daily at bedtime to reduce the impact
of side effects like nausea or bradycardia.
7. A client is experiencing an acute opioid overdose. Which medication should
the nurse prepare to administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose,
especially respiratory depression.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about valproic acid. The nurse should instruct the
client to monitor for which of the following serious adverse effects?
A. Weight loss
B. Increased appetite
C. Tinnitus
D. Yellowing of the skin or eyes
Answer: D
Rationale: Valproic acid carries a black box warning for hepatotoxicity (liver failure) and
pancreatitis. Jaundice (yellowing) is a sign of liver damage.
Study Guide 2026 UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for phenytoin to treat
seizures. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Maintain good oral hygiene and visit the dentist regularly.
B. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
C. Discontinue the medication if a mild rash develops.
D. Expect the urine to turn dark orange.
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia (overgrowth of gum tissue). Good oral
hygiene and regular dental checkups are essential to manage this side effect.
2. A client is receiving morphine IV for post-operative pain. Which of the
following assessments is the priority for the nurse to perform?
A. Blood pressure
B. Bowel sounds
C. Temperature
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: D
Rationale: Respiratory depression is the most serious adverse effect of opioid analgesics
like morphine. Monitoring the respiratory rate is the priority assessment.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking carbamazepine for trigeminal
neuralgia. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor
closely?
A. Serum potassium
B. Complete blood count (CBC)
C. Serum calcium
D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: B
Rationale: Carbamazepine can cause blood dyscrasias, including leukopenia, anemia, and
thrombocytopenia. Frequent CBC monitoring is required.
4. A client has a new prescription for levodopa/carbidopa for Parkinson’s
disease. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide?
A. Take the medication with a high-protein meal.
B. Change positions slowly to prevent dizziness.
C. Expect the medication to work fully within 24 hours.
D. Limit fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
Answer: B
Rationale: Levodopa/carbidopa can cause orthostatic hypotension. High-protein meals
should be avoided as they decrease absorption.
5. Which medication is the drug of choice for treating status epilepticus?
A. Diazepam or Lorazepam
B. Valproic acid
C. Gabapentin
D. Ethosuximide
Answer: A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like diazepam or lorazepam are administered IV to stop active,
prolonged seizure activity in status epilepticus.
, 6. A nurse is administering donepezil to a client with Alzheimer’s disease. When
is the best time to administer this medication?
A. At bedtime
B. Before lunch
C. Immediately upon waking
D. With the evening meal
Answer: A
Rationale: Donepezil is typically administered once daily at bedtime to reduce the impact
of side effects like nausea or bradycardia.
7. A client is experiencing an acute opioid overdose. Which medication should
the nurse prepare to administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose,
especially respiratory depression.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about valproic acid. The nurse should instruct the
client to monitor for which of the following serious adverse effects?
A. Weight loss
B. Increased appetite
C. Tinnitus
D. Yellowing of the skin or eyes
Answer: D
Rationale: Valproic acid carries a black box warning for hepatotoxicity (liver failure) and
pancreatitis. Jaundice (yellowing) is a sign of liver damage.
