Deck 20: Central Nervous System Stimulants

Question 1

The client has been placed on Ritalin. He is already being treated with Coumadin. The nurse anticipates that the combination of the two drugs will have a(n) _____ in the effect of the _____.

A) increase; Coumadin
B) decrease; Coumadin
C) increase; Ritalin
D) decrease; Ritalin

Answer 1

increase; Coumadin

Question 2

What is the best time to administer amphetamines for maximum effectiveness?

A) At bedtime
B) 1 to 2 hours before sleep
C) 3 to 4 hours before sleep
D) 6 to 8 hours before sleep

Answer 2

6 to 8 hours before sleep

Question 3

A nurse is teaching the family of a child with ADHD about her diet and medications. The child is prescribed methylphenidate (Ritalin) every day. In teaching about the client's diet, it is most important that the nurse encourage the child to avoid which foods and/or drinks?

A) High-sodium foods
B) High-sugar foods and drinks
C) High-fat foods
D) Caffeinated foods and drinks

Answer 3

Caffeinated foods and drinks

Question 4

A college student expresses to the health center nurse that he has been taking appetite suppressants for 8 years. The nurse recognizes that long-term use of anorexiants may result in which severe side effect?

A) Heart palpitations
B) Hypotension
C) Drowsiness
D) Abdominal cramps

Question 5

A pediatric nurse admits a child who has a history of ADHD. The nurse is aware that ADHD may display as:

A) poor coordination and abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG).
B) abnormal EEG and decrease in intelligence.
C) minimal brain dysfunction and marked decrease in intelligence.
D) developmental delay and poor coordination.

Question 6

A client with ADHD is prescribed methylphenidate (Ritalin). Based on the half-life of the drug, how often should the nurse administer the drug?

A) Daily
B) Twice a day
C) Every 8 hours
D) Every 12 hours

Question 7

A nurse is teaching a group of clients about narcolepsy. The most important concept that the nurse should relay to the client is that narcolepsy is characterized by:

A) falling asleep during early morning hours.
B) falling asleep during normal waking hours.
C) waking up during sleep.
D) inability to fall asleep.

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a 5-year-old child who has been placed on Ritalin. What is the highest priority action on the part of the nurse?

A) Administer the medication as ordered by the physician.
B) Monitor the client closely during administration.
C) Hold the medication and call the physician.
D) Call the pharmacist to verify the dosage of the drug.

Question 9

A client complains of a mild migraine headache. What treatment may the healthcare provider suggest?

A) Opioid analgesics (e.g., meperidine [Demerol])
B) Analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
C) Ergotamine tartrate
D) Serotonin₁-receptor agonists (e.g., sumatriptan succinate [Imitrex])

Question 10

A client enters the emergency department with a suspected drug overdose. The nurse anticipates that which CNS respiratory stimulant will be used to treat the client?

A) Doxapram (Dopram)
B) Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
C) Methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
D) Pemoline (Cylert)

Question 11

A client discloses to a nurse that he has taken amphetamines for 5 years for weight control. The nurse teaches the client that long-term use of amphetamines lead to:

A) diarrhea.
B) cardiac dysrhythmias.
C) urinary retention.
D) rash.

Question 12

A school nurse is caring for an adolescent diagnosed with migraine headaches. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate during an acute migraine?

A) Maintain bright lights in the room.
B) Administer sumatriptan succinate (Imitrex).
C) Obtain a complete headache history.
D) Provide ordered opioid analgesic.

Question 13

A client is 4 months pregnant and is sharing with the nurse her frustrations with regard to weight gain. The client asks about anorexiants. The nurse's response is based on which information?

A) Low-dose appetite suppressants are safe during pregnancy.
B) Appetite suppressants can be taken while nursing, but not while pregnant.
C) Appetite suppressants are not safe during pregnancy or while nursing.
D) Research is inconclusive about the safety of appetite suppressants during pregnancy.

Question 14

The nurse is deciding on a dosage schedule for methylphenidate (Ritalin). The nurse recognizes that which time is the most appropriate to administer this drug for maximum effectiveness?

A) Before breakfast or lunch
B) With meals
C) After dinner
D) At bedtime

Question 15

A client with narcolepsy is being treated with modafinil (Provigil). The nurse anticipates which expected response from the drug?

A) An increase in the amount of time the client feels awake
B) Increased effectiveness when given primarily after the evening meal
C) Sleep induction
D) Sleep paralysis if taken at bedtime

Question 16

A client suffers from migraine headaches and is ordered to receive sumatriptan succinate (Imitrex). The client asks why the medication works. The nurse explains that this medication:

A) dilates cerebral vessels to increase cerebral blood flow.
B) causes vasoconstriction to relieve migraine attacks.
C) increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
D) decreases blood pressure in order to decrease oxygen to the brain.

Question 17

A newborn with apnea of prematurity is treated with caffeine. Which condition would indicate to the nurse that the treatment was effective?

A) Respiratory rate of 32 to 40 breaths/minute
B) Heart rate of 80 to 100 beats/minute
C) Respiratory rate of 20 to 30 breaths/minute
D) Heart rate of 110 to 130 beats/minute

Question 18

The client complains of a severe migraine headache. The nurse anticipates that the physician will order:

A) opioid analgesics.
B) nonnarcotic analgesics.
C) ergotamine tartrate.
D) serotonin₁-receptor agonists (triptans).

Question 19

The parents of a 6-year-old child diagnosed with ADHD will most typically describe their child's behavior as:

A) a learning disorder and muscle paralysis.
B) nervousness and sleeplessness.
C) hyperactivity and decreased attention span.
D) hyperactivity and nervousness.

Question 20

A client states that he is taking an over-the-counter (OTC) appetite suppressant. Clinical teaching should include that:

A) OTC appetite suppressants are safe for daily use.
B) appetite suppressants should be taken for no more than 4 to 6 months.
C) an OTC amphetamine group frequently does not cause tolerance or dependence.
D) appetite suppressants should be taken only with medical approval.

Question 21

The client is an older adult who has been started on Provigil. The nurse anticipates that the dosage of the drug will need to be:

A) doubled.
B) cut in half.
C) decreased.
D) increased.

Question 22

A newborn is ordered to receive caffeine to stimulate respiratory activity. The medication order reads "caffeine 0.5 mg/kg." The infant weighs 8.8 pounds. The medication is available in a 20 mg/mL elixir. How much should the infant receive?