Question 1

Benzodiazepines such as clonazepam (Klonopin)are effective in controlling certain seizures because they increase the inhibitory effects of ______ in the CNS.&#10;A)norepinephrine&#10;B)acetylcholine&#10;C)serotonin&#10;D)dopamine&#10;E)gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA)

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines such as clonazepam (Klonopin) increase the inhibitory effects of gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that reduces the activity of neurons in the CNS. This helps to prevent seizures by slowing down the firing of neurons in the brain.

Question 2

Barbiturates are considered to be very safe and effective in the treatment of seizures,but their use is often limited because of their strong tendency to produce:&#10;A)sedation.&#10;B)myopathy.&#10;C)cardiac dysrhythmia.&#10;D)hair loss.&#10;E)glaucoma.

Accepted Answer

Barbiturates are known to have a strong sedative effect on the central nervous system, which can cause drowsiness and impair cognitive functioning. This is often seen as a side effect in patients taking barbiturates and can limit their use, especially in cases where the patient needs to be alert and focused. Myopathy, cardiac dysrhythmia, hair loss, and glaucoma are not typically associated with the use of barbiturates.

Question 3

Newer or &#34;second-generation&#34; antiseizure drugs are helpful in treating certain patients because:&#10;A)newer agents generally have milder side effects than traditional antiseizure drugs.&#10;B)newer agents have favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics (absorption,distribution,metabolism,and so forth).&#10;C)newer agents can be combined with a traditional antiseizure drug to provide adequate seizure control in patients who do not respond to a single traditional antiseizure agent.&#10;D)all of the above&#10;E)none of the above

Accepted Answer

Newer antiseizure drugs have been developed to address the limitations of traditional antiseizure drugs, such as severe side effects and limited effectiveness. These newer agents generally have milder side effects, favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics, and can be combined with traditional antiseizure drugs to provide adequate seizure control in some patients who do not respond to a single agent. Therefore, all the options A, B, and C are correct.

Question 4

Antiseizure drugs attempt to control neuronal activity via the following mechanisms EXCEPT:&#10;A)decreasing the effects of excitatory amino acids (glutamate,aspartate).&#10;B)increasing the excitatory effects of acetylcholine in the central nervous system (CNS).&#10;C)decreasing sodium entry into rapidly firing neurons.&#10;D)increasing the inhibitory effects of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA).&#10;E)decreasing the excitatory effects of calcium ions in the CNS.

Accepted Answer

Antiseizure drugs work by decreasing the excitability of neurons or increasing their inhibition. Option B is the only choice that does not accurately describe a mechanism by which antiseizure drugs work. Increasing the excitatory effects of acetylcholine in the CNS would actually make seizures more likely, as an imbalance between excitation and inhibition is what leads to seizures. The other choices all accurately describe mechanisms by which antiseizure drugs work.

Question 5

It appears that antiseizure medications can be successfully discontinued in a large percentage of patients with seizure disorders,especially if the patients:&#10;A)have been free of seizures for at least 2 years while on medication.&#10;B)have a normal neurologic examination prior to withdrawal.&#10;C)were relatively young when the seizures started.&#10;D)all of the above&#10;E)none of the above;antiseizure drugs can never be discontinued under any circumstances.

Accepted Answer

Patients who have been free of seizures for at least 2 years while on medication, have a normal neurologic examination prior to withdrawal, and were relatively young when the seizures started are good candidates for discontinuation of antiseizure medications. However, discontinuation should always be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional and not all patients will be able to successfully discontinue medication.

Deck 9: Antiepileptic Drugs