Deck 18: Depressants

Question 1

The nurse performs a preoperative assessment on a patient and asks about drug and alcohol use. The patient asks why this information is important. The nurse will explain that patients who consume increased amounts of alcohol:

A) may have a prolonged postoperative recovery time.
B) may not be eligible for surgery.
C) may not receive inhaled gases for anesthesia.
D) may require changes in the type and dose of anesthesia required.

Answer 1

may require changes in the type and dose of anesthesia required.

Question 2

The nurse is teaching a patient who will begin taking temazepam (Restoril). What information will the nurse include when teaching this patient?

A) "Avoid alcohol while taking this drug."
B) "This drug should be taken three times daily."
C) "Unlike other sleep medications this medication doesn't contribute to dependence."
D) "You will not experience a hangover effect."

Answer 2

"Avoid alcohol while taking this drug."

Question 3

During balanced anesthesia, which type of medication is given while the surgery is performed?

A) Anticholinergics
B) Benzodiazepines
C) Hypnotics
D) Inhaled anesthetic

Answer 3

Inhaled anesthetic

Question 4

The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who is receiving a first dose of flurazepam (Dalmane) as a sedative-hypnotic medication. What intervention will be included in the nurse's plan of care for this patient?

A) Instituting a bed alarm system to prevent falls
B) Reassuring the patient that nightmares are not a usual effect
C) Reporting a urine output greater than 1500 mL/day
D) Teaching the patient that this drug may be used for 6 to 8 weeks

Question 5

A patient describes having vivid dreams to the nurse. The nurse understands that these occur during which stage of sleep?

A) Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
B) Stage 2 non rapid eye movement sleep
C) Stage 3 non rapid eye movement sleep
D) Stage 4 non rapid eye movement sleep

Question 6

The preoperative nurse is caring for a patient who is to receive a peripheral nerve block using bupivacaine. The nurse will explain that the patient receiving this local anesthetic:

A) may need to lie flat 6 to 8 hours after surgery.
B) may require less narcotic medication.
C) may have a prolonged hospital stay to monitor for respiratory distress.
D) may be at great risk for allergic reaction.

Question 7

The nurse is providing teaching for a patient who will begin taking zolpidem tartrate (Ambien) 10 mg at bedtime as a sleep aid. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?

A) "I should take this medication with food to avoid stomach upset."
B) "I will take this medication within 30 minutes of bedtime."
C) "If this medication is not effective, I may increase the dose to 15 mg."
D) "Tolerance and drug dependence do not occur with this medication."

Question 8

An older adult has difficulty falling asleep. The nurse understands that which sedative hypnotic is appropriate for this patient?

A) Butabarbital (Butisol)
B) Flurazepam (Dalmane)
C) Secobarbital (Seconal)
D) Temazepam (Restoril)

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a patient in the post-anesthesia care unit who has received a spinal anesthetic. Which action will the nurse perform?

A) Ambulate the patient as soon as consciousness returns.
B) Elevate the head of the bed to a semi-Fowler's position.
C) Have the patient lay flat for 6 to 8 hours after the surgery.
D) Turn the patient from side to side every 15 minutes.

Question 10

The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. The patient received a hypnotic medication the night prior and the nurse is administering midazolam (Versed) and atropine. The patient asks why all of these medications are necessary. The nurse will tell the patient that they are given for which reason?

A) To decrease the amount of general anesthesia needed
B) To minimize postoperative drowsiness
C) To prolong the anesthetized state
D) To speed up anesthesia induction

Question 11

Which of the following agents is classified as a melatonin receptor agonist?

A) temazepam (Restoril)
B) Zolpidem (Ambien)
C) Butabarbital (Butisol)
D) Ramelteon (Rozerem)

Question 12

The nurse is caring for a patient who reports being able to fall asleep but has difficulty staying asleep. The nurse will contact the provider to obtain an order for which medication?

A) Butabarbital (Butisol)
B) Flurazepam (Dalmane)
C) Secobarbital (Seconal)
D) Temazepam (Restoril)

Question 13

A patient asks the nurse about taking over-the-counter sleeping aids. The nurse will tell the patient that the active ingredient in these products is often a(n):

A) antiemetic.
B) antihistamine.
C) barbiturate.
D) benzodiazepine.

Question 14

A patient who has been taking a benzodiazepine as a sleep aid for several months wishes to stop taking the medication. The nurse will suggest that the patient taper the dose gradually to avoid which effect?

A) Depression
B) Hangover
C) Hypnotic rebound
D) Withdrawal

Question 15

Children who experience nightmares have these during which stage of sleep?

A) Early morning sleep
B) Non rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep
C) Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
D) Sleep induction

Question 16

A patient who has been taking zolpidem (Ambien) for several weeks reports being drowsy and having difficulty performing tasks at work most mornings. The nurse suspects that which drug effects have occurred?

A) Dependence
B) Hangover
C) Tolerance
D) Withdrawal

Question 17

A patient reports difficulty falling asleep most nights and is constantly fatigued. The patient does not want to take medications to help with sleep. What non-pharmacologic measure will the nurse recommend?

A) "Exercise in the evening to promote bedtime fatigue."
B) "Get out of bed at the same time each morning."
C) "Have a glass of wine at bedtime to help you relax."
D) "Take daytime naps to minimize daytime fatigue."

Question 18

The nurse is caring for a patient in the post-anesthesia care unit and notes that the patient received isoflurane (Forane) to induce anesthesia. When will the nurse expect the patient to recover consciousness?

A) Immediately
B) In 15 to 30 minutes
C) In 1 hour
D) In several hours