NCLEX : NCLEX

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Drug Identification

A client has been taking daily doses of Paroxetine for 6 months and has asked for an information with the nurse about going off the medication. What should the nurse emphasize in the information session?

Possible Answers:

Taper the medication to avoid discontinuation syndrome

Advise the patient of probable weight gain after going off the medication

Stop taking the medication immediately, increase physical activity level for 2-3 weeks to counteract side effects

Urge the client to continue taking the medication until he consults a psychotherapist

Correct answer:

Taper the medication to avoid discontinuation syndrome

Explanation:

Clients taking Paroxetine may experience withdrawal and continuation syndrome. To minimize symptoms, taper the medication over a period of 3 or more weeks.

Example Question #12 : Drug Identification

What type of antidepressant is fluoxetine?

Possible Answers:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) 

Tetracyclic antidepressant

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI)

Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI)

Correct answer:

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI)

Explanation:

Fluoxetine is an example of a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRI's limit the amount of serotonin that the presynaptic cell that secreted it, cat re-uptake. This increases the time and amount that serotonin is in the synaptic cleft, and bound to postsynaptic receptors, leading to anti-depressant properties. The other drugs are all antidepressants, but are sold under other names.

Example Question #15 : Drug Identification

What drug class is clomipramine?

Possible Answers:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

Serotonin modulator and stimulator (SMS)

Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)

Tricyclic antidepressant

Correct answer:

Tricyclic antidepressant

Explanation:

Clomipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. Drugs in this class function primarily by blocking serotonin and norepinephrine transporters, resulting in an increase in the levels of these neurotransmitters in the synapse, and thus an increase in their effects due to staying bound to postsynaptic receptors for longer. 

Example Question #1 : Neural Pharmacology

What class of drug is trazodone?

Possible Answers:

Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI)

Tricyclic antidepressant

Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI)

Tetracyclic antidepressant

Correct answer:

Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI)

Explanation:

Trazodone is a serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI). These drugs work by increasing the release and inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin in the synaptic space, thus increasing the effect of serotonin.

Example Question #13 : Drug Identification

Aripiprazole is what class of drug? 

Possible Answers:

Atypical antipsychotic

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI)

Serotonin modulator and stimulator (SMS)

Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)

Correct answer:

Atypical antipsychotic

Explanation:

Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic. It acts as a partial dopamine agonist and an agonist to multiple 5-HT (serotonin) receptors.

Example Question #101 : Nclex

What class of drug is quetiapine?

Possible Answers:

Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor

Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI)

Tricyclic antidepressant

Atypical antipsychotic

Correct answer:

Atypical antipsychotic

Explanation:

Quetiapine is classified as an atypical antipsychotic. Quetiapine is a powerful antihistamine and has pharmacological action at many receptor types: it is a serotonin, dopamine, and adrenergic antagonist.

Example Question #2 : Neural Pharmacology

Which of the following antidepressants is also used for smoking cessation?

Possible Answers:

Buspirone

Bupropion

Venlafaxine

Amitriptyline

Correct answer:

Bupropion

Explanation:

Bupropion is an antidepressant used for smoking cessation. None of the other medications listed are used for smoking cessation. 

Example Question #21 : Drug Identification

Sertraline, paroxetine, and citalopram, are all classified as what type of antidepressant? 

Possible Answers:

Serotonin modulator and stimulators (SMSs)

Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Correct answer:

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Explanation:

Sertraline, paroxetine, and Citalopra are all selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This class of drug works by blocking serotonin re-uptake in the synapse, thus increasing post-synaptic serotonin stimulation. They are one of the most widely used class of antidepressants in the United States and many parts of the world.

Example Question #102 : Nclex

Zolpidem belongs in what drug class?

Possible Answers:

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI)

Orexin antagonist 

Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic

Benzodiazepine

Correct answer:

Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic

Explanation:

Zolpidem is a short acting nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic. It's actions are similar to benzodiazepine drugs in that it stimulates GABAa receptors at the same location as benzodiazepines. It is used in insomnia for initiating sleep, though it's short half life (3 hours) means it is not generally considered effective for maintaining sleep. 

Example Question #103 : Nclex

All of the following are common anticonvulsants except __________.

Possible Answers:

lamotrigine

valproate

carbamazepine

risperidone

Correct answer:

risperidone

Explanation:

All of the answers given are common anticonvulsant medications except risperidone, which is a second generation atypical antipsychotic used in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

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