Question 1

Antimigraine agents act by which of the following mechanisms?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

Which of the following statements is true regarding benzodiazepines?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines may be habit forming;the patient should use them for the shortest time possible.

Question 3

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)is an antiemetic;it is also used for which of the following other conditions?

Accepted Answer

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)is an antihistamine that blocks histamine receptors on peripheral effector cells.It is an anticholinergic with sedative properties.

Question 4

CNS depression,decreased respiratory rate,constricted pupils,tachycardia,and areflexia are symptoms of overdose with which of the following drugs?

Accepted Answer

In CNS depression due to barbiturate overdose,there is slow,shallow respiration,miosis,tachycardia,areflexia (absence of reflexes),shock or coma,then death.

Question 5

Long-term use of dopaminergic drugs often leads to which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

The long-term use of dopaminergic drugs can cause tardive dyskinesia.

Question 6

The desired effect of an antidepressant drug will usually occur within which of the following periods?

Accepted Answer

The desired antidepressant effect of the drug will usually occur within 3 to 4 weeks after therapy is started.

Question 7

A sedative-hypnotic drug may be prescribed for a patient with which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Sedative-hypnotic medications are used in the hospital to relax patients and induce sleep.

Question 8

Which of the following medications is classified as a benzodiazepine?

Accepted Answer

Lorazepam (Ativan)is a benzodiazepine.

Question 9

Lithium is an antimanic drug that is used in the treatment of which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Lithium is specifically used for patients with manic-depressive psychosis (bipolar disorder)who are in an acute manic phase.

Question 10

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 of the following represents the best way to take this agent?

Accepted Answer

If antimigraine agents are used at the onset of an attack,the ability of the drugs to relieve migraine pain and symptoms is increased.

Question 11

The nurse is working with a patient who says he is hearing voices,and they are louder than they have been in the past.The patient has a history of taking phenothiazines but has not taken his medication for a few days.Which of the following psychotic disorders does this patient have?

Accepted Answer

Phenothiazines are used primarily for reducing and relieving symptoms of schizophrenia.

Question 12

The nurse instructs a patient about monoamine oxidase (MAO)inhibitors before discharge.The nurse tells the patient to avoid certain foods and beverages while she is on the MAO inhibitors because they could cause which of the following problems?

Accepted Answer

Sudden and severe hypertension can result when MAO inhibitors are used with certain foods and beverages containing tyramine and other vasopressor amines.

Question 13

Which of the following is the drug of choice for status epilepticus?

Accepted Answer

Diazepam (Valium)is used intravenously to control seizures and is the drug of choice for treatment of status epilepticus.

Question 14

Which of the following is the main action of benzodiazepines?

Accepted Answer

The main action of benzodiazepines is to depress the central nervous system,which makes them useful in treating seizures.

Question 15

A patient comes into the emergency department with status epilepticus in progress.The nurse expects the physician to order which of the following drugs for this condition?

Accepted Answer

Diazepam (Valium)is used intravenously to control seizures and is the drug of choice for status epilepticus.

Question 16

The nurse gives a patient in the emergency department (ED)who has nausea and vomiting prochlorperazine (Compazine)IM,as ordered by the physician.The patient is discharged 2 hours after the administration of this medication.The nurse asks the friend of the patient to drive him home.This action is necessary for which of the following reasons?

Accepted Answer

Antiemetic agents should be used with extreme caution in patients doing tasks that require them to be mentally alert,because these products produce drowsiness.

Question 17

Clonazepam (Klonopin),a benzodiazepine,is used on certain patients with which of the following disorders of the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Clonazepam (Klonopin)is used in the treatment of petit mal and myoclonic seizures.

Question 18

A patient comes to the clinic and tells the nurse she might be pregnant.She has migraine headaches.The physician prescribes dihydroergotamine (D.H.E.45).The nurse explains to the patient that this drug is being used for which of the following reasons?

Accepted Answer

The drug causes cerebral vasculature to constrict,but it does not have an oxytocic effect and can be used during pregnancy.

Question 19

The nurse should include which of the following when teaching an adult patient about an antivertigo agent?

Accepted Answer

If the drug is taken for motion sickness,the patient should take it 30 to 60 minutes before departure and 30 minutes before meals thereafter.

Question 20

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 of the following best describes the action of this drug in the body?

Accepted Answer

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.

Quiz 16: Central and Peripheral Nervous System Medications