NCLEX-RN : Drug Identification
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Example Questions
Example Question #101 : Nclex
What class of drug is quetiapine?
Atypical antipsychotic
Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI)
Tricyclic antidepressant
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?
Amitriptyline
Venlafaxine
Buspirone
Bupropion
Bupropion
Bupropion is an antidepressant used for smoking cessation. None of the other medications listed are used for smoking cessation.
Example Question #101 : Nclex
Sertraline, paroxetine, and citalopram, are all classified as what type of antidepressant?
Serotonin modulator and stimulators (SMSs)
Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
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?
Orexin antagonist
Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Benzodiazepine
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 #5 : Neural Pharmacology
All of the following are common anticonvulsants except __________.
risperidone
valproate
carbamazepine
lamotrigine
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 #21 : Drug Identification
Lamotrigine carries a black-box warning about what side effect?
DRESS syndrome (drug reaction/rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms)
Stevens–Johnson syndrome
Aseptic meningitis
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?
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 #22 : 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?
Tardive dyskinesia
Convulsions and seizures
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Dizziness and weakness
Increased anxiety
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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