NCLEX : Neural Pharmacology
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Example Questions
Example Question #21 : Drug Identification
Lamotrigine carries a black-box warning about what side effect?
Aseptic meningitis
Stevens–Johnson syndrome
All of these
DRESS syndrome (drug reaction/rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms)
All of these
Lamotrigine carries a black box warning about the following side effects:
- Stevens–Johnson syndrome
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis
- DRESS syndrome (drug reaction/rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms)
- Aseptic meningitis
Example Question #111 : Pharmacology
Phenelzine is what class of drug?
Narcotic
Tricyclic antidepressant
Alpha adrenergic agonist
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Drugs in this class work by inhibition of monoamine oxidase enzymes, the enzymes responsible for the break down of serotonin, dopamine, and adrenaline.
Example Question #21 : Drug Identification
What class of drugs is diazepam?
Barbituate
Nonbenzodiazepine sedative
Methaqualone analogue
Benzodiazepine
Benzodiazepine
Diazepam is a benzodiazepine. This class of drugs works by potentiating the effects of GABA, our primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, at the GABAa receptor.
Example Question #11 : Neural Pharmacology
Bromocriptine belongs to what class of drug?
Peripheral dopamine decarboxylase inhibitor
Dopamine agonist
Anxiolytic
Anticholinergic
Dopamine agonist
Bromocriptine is a dopamine agonist used in the treatment for Parkinson's disease, pituitary tumors, and type 2 diabetes.
Example Question #21 : Drug Identification
A patient taking haloperidol complains of abnormal, unintentional movements of his tongue and face. The nurse knows that the patient is experiencing which of the following side effects of haloperidol?
Increased anxiety
Dizziness and weakness
Tardive dyskinesia
Convulsions and seizures
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Tardive dyskinesia
All of the listed options are side effects of haloperidol, but tardive dyskinesia (TD) is the only one that manifests with involuntary, dyskinetic movements in their face, lips, tongue, trunk, and extremities. TD more frequently occurs among elderly female patients taking long-term dopamine-antagonist medications. Dizziness, weakness, convulsions, seizures, and anxiety are also side effects of haloperidol. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome presents with fever and high/unstable blood pressure, muscle cramps and tremors, altered mental status (such as delirium, agitation, or a coma).
Example Question #31 : Drug Identification
You are the nurse taking care of a patient who is experiencing a panic attack. You are instructed to give the patient a dose of lorazepam. Which of the drug classes below describes lorazepam?
Barbiturate
Benzodiazepine
Amphetamine
Beta-blocker
Alpha-blocker
Benzodiazepine
The correct answer is "benzodiazepine," as lorazepam, also known as Ativan, is a benzodiazepine drug. Benzodiazepines act by increasing the efficacy of the neurotransmitter, GABA, when it acts upon its particular receptors. They have potent anti-anxiety properties, among other properties, and are frequently given during the initial phase of a panic attack to calm the patient.
On the other hand, the other choices are incorrect. Phenobarbital is an example of a barbiturate. Proproanolol is an example of a beta-blocker. Tamsulosin is an example of an alpha-blocker. Methamphetamine is an example of an amphetamine.
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