Pharm Exam 3 Practice Questions
A patient is prescribed venlafaxine [Effexor XR] and requests information about the medication. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
"Venlafaxine [Effexor XR] is used to treat anxiety and depression."
The nurse teaches a 16-year-old female patient about methylphenidate (Ritalin). Which statement by the patient indicates that more teaching is needed?
-"I can have an unlimited number of noncola soft drinks."
The nurse teaches a patient about bupropion [Wellbutrin]. Which statement by the patient indicates that more teaching is indicated?
-"I had a serious head injury 3 years ago."
The nurse provides teaching for a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder who has been prescribed Sertraline [Zoloft]. Which statement by the patient indicates that more teaching is necessary?
-"I will feel better in 3 weeks."
A patient with BPD is prescribed lithium. Which statement, if made by the patient, indicates the need for further teaching?
-"I will reduce my salt intake while taking this medication."
Which manifestations does the nurse associate with tardive dyskinesia?
-Twisting, worm-like movements of the tongue and face
A patient is newly prescribed carbamazepine [Tegretol] for seizure control. It is most important for the nurse to teach the patient to avoid which food?
-Grapefruit juice
The nurse prepares to administer lithium to a patient. Which laboratory result should first be assessed?
-Urinary creatinine clearance
A patient with depression has been prescribed fluoxetine [Prozac]. Which statement made by the patient indicates an understanding of the medication teaching?
-"It may take 3 to 4 weeks before my mood is elevated."
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving pramipexole [Mirapex]. The nurse is most concerned if the patient makes which statement?
-"Sometimes I just fall asleep without warning."
The nurse teaches a patient about eszopiclone [Lunesta]. Which statement by the patient indicates that the teaching has been effective?
-"The drug may leave a bitter taste in my mouth."
A nurse instructs a parent about the administration schedule for Adderall XR (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine mixture) to treat the child's ADHD. The nurse determines that teaching is successful if the parent makes which statement?
-"The drug should be given in the morning, before school."
A patient with mild symptoms of AD is prescribed donepezil [Aricept]. Which statement made by the patient indicates the need for further teaching?
-"The drug will stop damage to the neurons in my brain."
A patient has been taking a medication for 2 months. Which statement, if made by the patient, would indicate to the nurse that drug tolerance is occurring?
-"The medication does not seem to be working as well."
The nurse instructs a young adult patient about triazolam [Halcion] for the short-term management of insomnia. Which statement, if made by the patient, indicates an understanding of the instructions?
-"The medication will not affect my breathing."
The nurse receives a phone call from a patient who has been taking a CNS drug for 3 days. The patient tells the nurse that the medication causes nausea. Which response by the nurse is best?
-"The nausea will most likely decrease over time."
A patient is prescribed the dopamine agonist pramipexole [Mirapex]. Which statement made by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
-"This drug will stop the progression of Parkinson's disease."
The nurse prepares to administer a cholinesterase inhibitor to a patient with AD. Which medication, if ordered by the health care provider, should the nurse question?
-Amitriptyline [Elavil]
An older patient with skin cancer and hypertension is prescribed levodopa/carbidopa [Sinemet] to treat Parkinson's disease. Which action by the nurse is best?
-Ask the patient about the type of skin cancer.
A patient is prescribed isocarboxazid [Marplan] for the treatment of depression. Which foods should the patient be taught to avoid?
-Bananas, smoked fish, and cheese
The nurse prepares to administer memantine [Namenda] to a patient with severe AD. The nurse should assess what before administering of the medication?
-Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine
The nurse is caring for a patient who is taking phenytoin [Dilantin]. Which medication, if ordered by the physician, should the nurse question?
-Cimetidine [Tagamet]
The nurse is caring for a patient with social anxiety disorder. The patient is currently experiencing intense anxiety. The nurse should prepare to administer which medication for the immediate relief of anxiety?
-Clonazepam [Klonopin]
A patient is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and schizophrenia. The nurse will closely monitor the blood sugar if the patient receives which medication for the treatment of schizophrenia?
-Clozapine [Clozaril]
Before administering ramelteon [Rozerem] to a patient on the medical unit, which action by the nurse is best?
-Consult the prescriber if the patient has chronic hepatitis.
A patient is prescribed doxepin [Sinequan] for the treatment of depression. Which over-the-counter medication should the nurse teach the patient to avoid?
-Diphenhydramine [Benadryl]
A patient is brought to the emergency department for the treatment of an overdose of alprazolam [Xanax]. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer to this patient?
-Flumazenil [Romazicon]
The nurse cares for a patient who is receiving lithium. Which medication, if prescribed by the healthcare provider, should the nurse question?
-Furosemide [Lasix]
The nurse cares for a patient with depression who has been prescribed an antidepressant. When would the nurse expect the medication to reach its full therapeutic effect?
-In 2 to 3 weeks
A patient taking levodopa/carbidopa [Sinemet] for Parkinson's disease experiences frequent "on-off" episodes (i.e., the abrupt loss of effect). Which action by the nurse is best?
-Instruct the patient to avoid high-protein foods.
A patient is concerned about developing AD. What should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
-No solid evidence supports the use of drugs to prevent AD.
A patient who is diagnosed with BPD is prescribed lithium. To monitor for lithium toxicity, the nurse should observe the patient for which signs and symptoms?
-Polydipsia, slurred speech, and fine hand tremors
A child with ADHD has been prescribed Daytrana (a transdermal methylphenidate patch). When teaching the child's caregiver how to administer the medication, which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching?
-Remove the patch within 9 hours of application.
A patient is prescribed phenytoin [Dilantin] for epileptic seizures. Which of the following is the priority for patient teaching?
-Teach the patient to avoid the abrupt cessation of treatment.
The nurse prepares to administer the first dose of an antipsychotic agent to a patient. One hour after administration, it is most important for the nurse to assess what?
-The orthostatic blood pressure measurements
A child takes Adderall XR (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine mixture) for ADHD. The nurse should assess the child for which adverse effects?
-Weight loss, restlessness, and chest pain
