NCLEX : Drug Identification
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX
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Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Neural Pharmacology
What class of drug is quetiapine?
Tricyclic antidepressant
Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI)
Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
Atypical antipsychotic
Atypical antipsychotic
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?
Buspirone
Bupropion
Venlafaxine
Amitriptyline
Bupropion
Bupropion is an antidepressant used for smoking cessation. None of the other medications listed are used for smoking cessation.
Example Question #4 : Neural Pharmacology
Sertraline, paroxetine, and citalopram, are all classified as what type of antidepressant?
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin modulator and stimulators (SMSs)
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
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 #21 : Drug Identification
Zolpidem belongs in what drug class?
Benzodiazepine
Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Orexin antagonist
Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic
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 #6 : Neural Pharmacology
All of the following are common anticonvulsants except __________.
lamotrigine
carbamazepine
risperidone
valproate
risperidone
All of the answers given are common anticonvulsant medications except risperidone, which is a second generation atypical antipsychotic used in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Example Question #11 : Neural Pharmacology
Lamotrigine carries a black-box warning about what side effect?
Aseptic meningitis
DRESS syndrome (drug reaction/rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms)
Stevens–Johnson syndrome
All of these
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?
Tricyclic antidepressant
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
Alpha adrenergic agonist
Narcotic
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 #112 : Pharmacology
What class of drugs is diazepam?
Methaqualone analogue
Benzodiazepine
Nonbenzodiazepine sedative
Barbituate
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 #114 : Pharmacology
Bromocriptine belongs to what class of drug?
Peripheral dopamine decarboxylase inhibitor
Anxiolytic
Anticholinergic
Dopamine agonist
Dopamine agonist
Bromocriptine is a dopamine agonist used in the treatment for Parkinson's disease, pituitary tumors, and type 2 diabetes.
Example Question #112 : Pharmacology
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?
Convulsions and seizures
Dizziness and weakness
Increased anxiety
Tardive dyskinesia
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).
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