Deck 12: Central Nervous System Depressants and Muscle Relaxants

Question 1

A patient who has received some traumatic news is panicking and asks for some medication to help settle down. The nurse anticipates giving which drug that is most appropriate for this situation?

A) diazepam (Valium)
B) zolpidem (Ambien)
C) phenobarbital
D) cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)

Answer 1

diazepam (Valium)

Question 2

A patient is taking flurazepam (Dalmane) 3 to 4 nights a week for sleeplessness. She is concerned that she cannot get to sleep without taking the medication. What nonpharmacologic measures should the nurse suggest to promote sleep for this patient?

A) Providing a quiet environment
B) Exercising before bedtime to become tired
C) Consuming heavy meals in the evening to promote sleepiness
D) Drinking hot tea or coffee just before bedtime

Answer 2

Providing a quiet environment

Question 3

A patient has experienced insomnia for months, and the physician has prescribed a medication to help with this problem. The nurse expects which drug to be used for long-term treatment of insomnia?

A) secobarbital ( Seconal ), a barbiturate
B) diazepam ( Valium ), a benzodiazepine
C) midazolam ( Versed ), a benzodiazepine
D) eszopiclone ( Lunesta ), a nonbenzodiazepine sleep aid

Answer 3

eszopiclone ( Lunesta ), a nonbenzodiazepine sleep aid

Question 4

A patient has been admitted to the emergency department for an overdose of oral benzodiazepines. He is very drowsy but still responsive, with a respiration rate of 12 breaths per minute. The nurse will prepare for which immediate intervention?

A) Hemodialysis to remove the medication
B) Administration of flumazenil (Romazicon)
C) Administration of naloxone (Narcan)
D) Intubation and mechanical ventilation

Question 5

A patient is brought to the emergency department for treatment of a suspected overdose. The patient was found with an empty prescription bottle of a barbiturate by his bedside. He is lethargic and barely breathing. The nurse would expect which immediate intervention?

A) Starting an intravenous infusion of diluted bicarbonate solution
B) Administering medications to increase blood pressure
C) Implementing measures to maintain the airway and support respirations
D) Administrating naloxone (Narcan) as an antagonist

Question 6

A patient has been taking temazepam (Restoril) for intermittent insomnia. She calls the nurse to say that when she takes it, she sleeps well, but the next day she feels "so tired." Which explanation by the nurse is correct?

A) "Long-term use of this drug results in a sedative effect."
B) "If you take the drug every night, this hangover effect will be reduced."
C) "These drugs affect the sleep cycle, resulting in daytime sleepiness."
D) "These drugs increase the activity of the central nervous system (CNS), making you tired the next day."

Question 7

A patient is recovering from a minor automobile accident that occurred 1 week ago. He is taking cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) for muscular pain and goes to physical therapy three times a week. Which nursing diagnosis would be appropriate for him?

A) Risk for falls related to decreased sensorium
B) Risk for addiction related to psychological dependency
C) Decreased fluid volume related to potential adverse effects
D) Disturbed sleep pattern related to the drug's interference with REM sleep

Question 8

The barbiturate phenobarbital is prescribed for a patient with epilepsy. While assessing the patient's current medications, the nurse recognizes that interactions may occur with which drugs? (Select all that apply.)

A) Antihistamines
B) Opioids
C) Diuretics
D) Anticoagulants
E) Oral contraceptives
F) Insulin

Question 9

Ramelteon (Rozerem) is prescribed for a patient with insomnia. The nurse checks the patient's medical history, knowing that this medication is contraindicated in which disorder?

A) Coronary artery disease
B) Renal insufficiency
C) Liver disease
D) Anemia

Question 10

The nurse notes in the patient's medication history that the patient is taking cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril). Based on this finding, the nurse interprets that the patient has which disorder?

A) A musculoskeletal injury
B) Insomnia
C) Epilepsy
D) Agitation

Question 11

A patient tells the nurse that he likes to drink kava herbal tea to help him relax. Which statement by the patient indicates that additional teaching about this herbal product is needed?

A) "I will not drink wine with the kava tea."
B) "If I notice my skin turning yellow, I will stop taking the tea."
C) "I will not take sleeping pills if I have this tea in the evening."
D) "I will be able to drive my car after drinking this tea."

Question 12

A patient has been taking phenobarbital for 2 weeks as part of his therapy for epilepsy. He tells the nurse that he feels tense and that "the least little thing" bothers him now. Which is the correct explanation for this problem?

A) These are adverse effects that usually subside after a few weeks.
B) The drug must be stopped immediately because of possible adverse effects.
C) This drug causes the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep period to increase, resulting in nightmares and restlessness.
D) This drug causes deprivation of REM sleep and may cause the inability to deal with normal stress.

Question 13

The nurse is preparing to administer a barbiturate. Which conditions or disorders would be a contraindication to the use of these drugs? (Select all that apply.)

A) Gout
B) Pregnancy
C) Epilepsy
D) Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
E) Severe liver disease
F) Diabetes mellitus

Question 14

A 50-year-old man who has been taking phenobarbital for 1 week is found very lethargic and unable to walk after eating out for dinner. His wife states that he has no other prescriptions and that he did not take an overdose-the correct number of pills is in the bottle. The nurse suspects that which of the following may have happened?

A) He took a multivitamin.
B) He drank a glass of wine.
C) He took a dose of aspirin.
D) He developed an allergy to the drug.