Pharmacolgy neuro drugs

Client complaints of urinary retention

A client began taking amantadine approximately 2 weeks ago. The client reports to the clinic for a follow-up evaluation. The nurse determines that the client is experiencing a side or adverse effect related to the use of this medication if which is noted?

Decreased rigidity and akinesia

A client began taking amantadine approximately 2 weeks ago. The nurse determines that the medication is having a therapeutic effect if the client exhibits which finding?

Liver function studies

A client experiencing spasticity as a result of spinal cord injury has a new prescription for dantrolene. Before administering the first dose, the nurse checks to see if which baseline study has been done?

Discard the syringe and begin again.

A client has a medication prescription for phenytoin to be administered by the intravenous route. After drawing up the medication, the nurse notes the presence of precipitate in the syringe. Which action should the nurse take?

Institute seizure precautions.

A client is having the dosage of clonazepam adjusted. The nurse should plan to perform which action?

Complete blood count (CBC)

A client is receiving phenytoin. To monitor for side and adverse effects of this medication, the nurse assesses the results of which laboratory test?

Slurred speech

A client is taking the prescribed dose of phenytoin to control seizures. Results of a phenytoin blood level study reveal a level of 35 mcg/mL (140 mcmol/L). Which finding would be expected as a result of this laboratory result?

Urinary retention

A client is taking trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride. The nurse should assess for which side or adverse effect of this medication?

A harmless side effect of the medication

A client receiving therapy with carbidopa/levodopa is upset and tells the home health nurse that his urine has turned a darker color since he started taking this medication. The client wants to discontinue its use. In formulating a response to the client's concerns, the nurse interprets that this change is indicative of which condition?

Fosphenytoin sodium

A client who is taking phenytoin for a seizure disorder is being admitted to the hospital because of an increase in seizure activity. The client reports severe vomiting for the last 24 hours and an inability to take phenytoin during that time. The nurse anticipates that the health care provider will most likely prescribe which medication?

These symptoms are most severe during initial therapy and decrease or disappear with long-term use.

A client who was started on clonazepam tells the nurse of increasing clumsiness and unsteadiness since starting the medication. The client is visibly upset by these manifestations and asks the nurse what to do. The nurse's response is based on which understanding?

A temporary worsening of the condition

A client with myasthenia gravis becomes increasingly weaker. The health care provider injects a dose of edrophonium to determine whether the client is experiencing a myasthenic crisis or a cholinergic crisis. The nurse expects that the client will have which reaction if in cholinergic crisis?

30 minutes before meals

A client with myasthenia gravis has difficulty chewing and has received a prescription for pyridostigmine. The nurse should check to see that the client takes the medication at what time?

50 mg/min

A client with status epilepticus has been prescribed phenytoin to be given by the intravenous (IV) route. The nurse administering the medication is careful not to exceed which recommended infusion rate?

White blood cell count, 3000 mm3 (3.0 × 109/L)

A client with trigeminal neuralgia is being treated with carbamazepine, 400 mg orally daily. Which value indicates that the client is experiencing an adverse effect to the medication?

Direct bilirubin level of 2 mg/dL (34 mcmol/L)

A client with trigeminal neuralgia tells the nurse that acetaminophen is taken daily for the relief of generalized discomfort. Which laboratory value would indicate toxicity associated with the medication?

"If I experience slurred speech, this problem will disappear in about 8 weeks."

A home care nurse visits a client at home. Clonazepam has been prescribed for the client, and the nurse teaches the client about the medication. Which client statement indicates that further teaching is necessary?

The level is lower than the expected therapeutic range.

After review of the client's laboratory values, the nurse notes that a phenytoin level for a client receiving phenytoin is 7 mcg/mL (27.78 mmol/L). The nurse makes which interpretation regarding this laboratory result?

"I will sit in the sun for an hour a day to enhance medication effectiveness."

Benztropine mesylate is prescribed for a client. What statement by the client indicates that the client needs further teaching about the medication?

Abdominal pain

Dantrolene sodium has been administered to a client with a spinal cord injury. The nurse determines that the client is experiencing a side or adverse effect of the medication if which is noted?

1.Tremors 2.Drowsiness 3.Hypotension

Meperidine has been prescribed for a client to treat pain. Which side and adverse effects should the nurse monitor for? Select all that apply.

"Have you had migraine headaches?"

On admission the client tells the nurse that sumatriptan is prescribed. Based on this information, which question should the nurse ask the client?

Tinnitus

The client arrives at the emergency department complaining of back spasms. The client states, "I have been taking 2 to 3 aspirin every 4 hours for the last week, and it hasn't helped my back." Since acetylsalicylic acid intoxication is suspected, the nurse should assess the client for which manifestation?

There is the potential of decreased effectiveness of birth control pills while taking phenytoin.

The home health nurse visits a client who is taking phenytoin for control of seizures. During the assessment, the nurse notes that the client is taking birth control pills. Which information should the nurse include in the teaching plan?

1 minute

The nurse has a prescription to administer diazepam 5 mg by the intravenous (IV) route to a client. The nurse should administer the medication over a period of at least how long?

"This medication has an anticonvulsant effect."

The nurse has completed discharge teaching for a client prescribed carbamazepine. Which statement by the client indicates that education about the main effect of the medication was effective?

"Good oral hygiene is needed, including brushing and flossing."

The nurse has given medication instructions to a client receiving phenytoin. Which statement indicates that the client has an adequate understanding of the instructions?

Intake and output

The nurse is caring for a client who is taking oral benztropine mesylate daily. What is the priority nursing assessment for the client?

Monitor bowel activity.

The nurse is caring for a client with chronic back pain. Codeine has been prescribed for the client. Specific to this medication, which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care while the client is taking this medication?

"It will last for 4 to 5 minutes."

The nurse is caring for a client with myasthenia gravis who has received edrophonium by the intravenous route to test for myasthenic crisis. The client asks the nurse how long the improvement in muscle strength will last. Which response should the nurse make to the client?

Trigeminal neuralgia

The nurse is collecting data from a client and notes that the client is taking carbamazepine. The nurse determines that this medication has been prescribed to treat which condition?

Headaches

The nurse notes that a client taking ergotamine tartrate is having the intended effects of therapy if the client states relief from which symptom?

Use a soft toothbrush while taking this medication. The medication may turn the urine pink, red, or brown. Alcohol should be avoided while taking this medication.

The nurse is assisting in the care of a client being discharged on phenytoin 100 mg three times daily. When providing client teaching about this medication, the nurse should be sure to include which points? Select all that apply.

An increase in muscle strength within 1 to 3 minutes

The nurse is assisting in the care of a client who is being evaluated for possible myasthenia gravis. The health care provider gives a test dose of edrophonium. Evaluation of the results indicates that the test is positive. Which would be the expected response noted by the nurse?

Atropine sulfate

The nurse is assisting in the care of a client with myasthenia gravis who is receiving pyridostigmine. Which medication should the nurse plan to have readily available should the client develop cholinergic crisis because of excessive medication dosage?

Altered mental status

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse monitor for, indicating increased intracranial pressure?

Acetylcysteine

The nurse is caring for a client in the emergency department who has been diagnosed with Bell's palsy. The client has been taking acetaminophen, and acetaminophen overdose is suspected. Which antidote should the nurse prepare for administration if prescribed?

Place the vial in warm water.

The nurse is caring for a client receiving mannitol via intravenous (IV) infusion. A vial is sent from the pharmacy, and in preparing the medication the nurse notes that the vial contains crystals. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

Methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide intravenously

The nurse is caring for a client with an exacerbation of multiple sclerosis. Which medication(s) will the nurse expect to be prescribed to hasten recovery from the exacerbation?

Monitor plasma medication levels to provide information about compliance.

The nurse is giving medication instructions to a client who is receiving phenytoin for epilepsy. Which instruction should the nurse include to promote adherence to the medication?

0.9% sodium chloride

The nurse is observing a new nursing graduate who is preparing an intermittent intravenous (IV) infusion of phenytoin for a client with a diagnosis of seizures. Which solution used by the nursing graduate should indicate to the nurse an understanding of proper preparation of this medication?

Normal saline solution

The nurse is preparing an intravenous (IV) infusion of phenytoin as prescribed by the health care provider for the client with seizures. Which solution should the nurse plan to use to dilute this medication?

Postural (orthostatic) vital signs

The nurse is preparing to ambulate a client with Parkinson's disease who has recently been started on levodopa/carbidopa. Before performing this activity with the client, the nurse should include which most important assessment in the client's plan of care?

Nausea and vomiting

The nurse is providing instructions to a client beginning medication therapy with divalproex sodium for treatment of absence seizures. The nurse instructs the client that which represents the most frequent side or adverse effect of this medication?

"If my gums become sore and swollen, I need to stop the medication."

The nurse is providing instructions to an adolescent prescribed phenytoin for the control of seizures. Which statement by the adolescent indicates a need for further teaching regarding the medication?

White blood cell count, 3200 mm3 (3.2 × 109/L)

The nurse is reading the laboratory results for a client being treated with carbamazepine for prophylaxis of complex partial seizures. When evaluating the client's laboratory data, the nurse determines that which value is consistent with a side or adverse effect of this medication?

Continuation of the presently prescribed dosage

The nurse is reviewing the results of a test on a sample drawn from a child who is receiving carbamazepine for the control of seizures. The results indicate a serum carbamazepine level of 10 mcg/mL (42.33 mmol/L). The nurse analyzes the results and anticipates that the health care provider (HCP) will note which prescription?

Phenytoin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills, and additional measures should be taken to avoid pregnancy.

The nurse is speaking with a client taking phenytoin for seizure control. The client states that she has started using birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. Which would be an important point for the nurse to emphasize to the client?

A decrease of the dosage of the medication

The nurse is told that the result of a serum carbamazepine level for a client who is receiving the medication for the control of seizures is 13 mcg/mL (55.03 mmol/L). Based on this laboratory result, the nurse anticipates that the health care provider (HCP) will document which prescription?

Grapefruit juice

The nurse preparing to administer carbamazepine notices a number of items on the client's breakfast tray. Which item should be a cause for concern and should be removed from the tray?

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

The nurse should question a prescription for which medication in the client concurrently receiving tramadol?

"Vitamin B6 reverses the effectiveness of the medication, meaning a higher dose is needed."

The nurse teaches the wife of a client who is receiving levodopa/carbidopa to avoid pyridoxine medications. Which statement by the wife indicates an understanding of the instructions?

Atropine sulfate

The nurse who is caring for a client with myasthenia gravis has a prescription to perform an edrophonium test. After obtaining edrophonium the nurse should be certain that which also is available at the bedside?

Tranylcypromine

A client has been prescribed cyclobenzaprine for the treatment of painful muscle spasms accompanying a herniated intervertebral disk. The nurse should withhold the medication and question the prescription if the client has a concurrent prescription for which medication?

At least 6 hours before bedtime

A client has been prescribed dextroamphetamine. The client complains to the nurse that the client cannot sleep well at night and does not want to take the medication any longer. Before making any specific comment, the nurse plans to investigate whether the client takes the medication at which proper time schedule?

"I need to swallow the medication whole with a full glass of water."

A client has been started on zolpidem. After instructing the client in how to obtain the maximal effect of zolpidem, the nurse determines that the client demonstrates understanding of correct administration of the medication by which statement?

Nausea and vomiting

A client has received a dose of dimenhydrinate. The nurse evaluates the effect of the medication by noting whether the client obtained relief from what symptom?

"You are concerned about the effects of your medication."

A client is experiencing impotence after taking guanfacine. The client states, "I would sooner have a stroke than keep living with the effects of this medication." What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

Drowsiness

A client is receiving phenobarbital sodium. Which finding on the nursing assessment would indicate that the client is experiencing a common side or adverse effect of this medication?

Liver function tests

A client is scheduled to begin medication therapy with valproic acid. The nurse looks for the results of which laboratory test(s) before administering the first dose?

Complete blood cell count

A client is scheduled to begin therapy with carbamazepine. The nurse should assess the results of which test(s) before administering the first dose of this medication to the client?

An increase in muscle strength within 30 to 60 seconds following administration of the medication

A client is suspected of having myasthenia gravis. Edrophonium is administered intravenously to determine the diagnosis. Which indicates that the client may have myasthenia gravis?

Voiding pattern

A client is taking benztropine mesylate orally daily. In monitoring this client for medication side effects, the nurse should plan to focus the assessment on which item?

It leads to physical and psychological dependence with prolonged high-dose therapy.

A client is taking clorazepate. The client asks the nurse if there is a risk of addiction with this medication. Which information should the nurse provide?

Take the dose as long as it is not close to the time for the next dose

A client taking carbamazepine asks the nurse what to do if a dose is inadvertently missed. The nurse responds that which action should be taken?

Client has an inadequate medication level.

A client who has been taking phenytoin for seizure control has a serum phenytoin level of 8 mcg/mL (35.71 mmol/L). On the basis of this finding, which note should the nurse enter in the client's health record?

2 to 3 weeks

A client with Parkinson's disease has begun therapy with levodopa/carbidopa. The nurse determines that the client understands the action of the medication if he or she verbalizes that results may not be apparent for how long?

"I will report a fever or sore throat to my health care provider."

A client with a diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia is started on a regimen of carbamazepine. The nurse provides instructions to the client about the side and adverse effects of the medication. Which client statement indicates an understanding of the side and adverse effects of the medication?

A temporary worsening of the condition

A client with myasthenia gravis has become increasingly weaker. The health care provider prepares to identify whether the client is reacting to an overdose of the medication (cholinergic crisis) or an increasing severity of the disease (myasthenic crisis). An injection of edrophonium is administered. Which finding would indicate that the client is in cholinergic crisis?

On time

A client with myasthenia gravis who is taking neostigmine is experiencing frequent exacerbations of myasthenic crisis and cholinergic crisis. The nurse teaches the client that it is most important that this medication be taken in which manner?

Cool, numb fingers and toes

A client with vascular headaches is taking ergotamine. The home health nurse should periodically assess him or her for which finding?

Parkinsonian syndrome

The nurse in a long-term care facility is reviewing the health care provider's (HCP's) prescriptions on an assigned client. The nurse notes that the HCP prescribed ropinirole hydrochloride. The nurse determines that this medication has been prescribed to treat which condition in the client?

15 mcg/mL (59.52 mmol/L)

The nurse in the health care provider's office is reviewing the results of a client's phenytoin level determination performed that morning. The nurse identifies that a therapeutic medication level has been achieved if which result is noted?

Carbamazepine and gabapentin

The nurse is administering medications to a client with trigeminal neuralgia. The nurse expects that which medication will be prescribed for pain relief?

At bedtime

A client has a prescription to receive valproic acid daily. To ensure the client's safety, when is the best time for the nurse to schedule the administration of this medication?

Dry mouth

A client has been prescribed benztropine. The nurse should assess for which gastrointestinal (GI) problems as a side or adverse effect of this medication?

Constipation

A client has been prescribed codeine sulfate. The nurse has given the client instructions for its use. The nurse concludes that the client understands the instructions if the client verbalizes to self-assess for which side effect?

pancreatitis Hepatotoxicity

A client has a prescription for valproic acid. To maximize the client's safety, the nurse should plan to monitor for which potential complications of this medication? Select all that apply.

Caffeine

A hospitalized client has a prescription for dextroamphetamine daily. The unit nurse collaborates with the dietitian to limit the amount of which item on the client's dietary trays?

"I will use sunscreen when outdoors."

The nurse has given medication instructions to a client beginning carbamazepine. The nurse determines that the client understands the use of the medication if he makes which statement?

IV push over 1 minute

The nurse has the following prescription for a postcraniotomy client: "dexamethasone 4 mg by the intravenous (IV) route now." How does the nurse administer the medication?

Complete blood cell (CBC) count

Carbamazepine has been prescribed for a client. The nurse should tell the client that which blood test will be done periodically while the client is taking this medication?

Impaired voluntary movements

Carbidopa-levodopa is prescribed for a client with Parkinson's disease. The nurse monitors the client for side and adverse effects of the medication. Which finding indicates that the client is experiencing an adverse effect?

Administer by direct injection

Dexamethasone intravenously is prescribed for the client with cerebral edema. The nurse prepares the medication for administration and plans to perform which action?

"I will use a soft toothbrush to brush my teeth."

Phenytoin 100 mg to be given orally 3 times daily has been prescribed to a client. The home health nurse visits the client and provides instructions regarding the medication. Which statement, if made by the client, would indicate an understanding of the instructions?

Signs of respiratory depression

Propofol is being administered to induce sedation in a client who is intubated and is being mechanically ventilated. The nurse should monitor for which adverse effect during infusion of the medication?

1.Reduced ICP 2.Increased diuresis 3.Increased osmotic pressure of glomerular filtrate 4.Reduced tubular reabsorption of water and solutes

The client with a head injury is experiencing signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP), and mannitol is prescribed. The nurse administering this medication expects which as intended effects of this medication? Select all that apply.

Bone marrow depression

The health care provider (HCP) writes a prescription for carbamazepine for a client who was admitted to the hospital. The nurse contacts the HCP to verify the prescription if which condition is noted in the assessment data?

1.Atropine is used to reverse the effects of edrophonium. 2.If symptoms worsen following administration of edrophonium, the crisis is cholinergic. 3.Edrophonium is used to distinguish between a myasthenic crisis and a cholinergic crisis. 4.An improvement in symptoms following administration of edrophonium indicates myasthenic crisis.

The health care provider is preparing to administer edrophonium to the client with myasthenia gravis. In planning care, the nurse understands which about the administration of edrophonium? Select all that apply.

Contact the health care provider (HCP) to question the prescription.

The nurse has a prescription to administer phenytoin 100 mg mixed in 5% dextrose in water by the intravenous (IV) route to a client. After reading this prescription, which action should the nurse take?

Preparing an undiluted direct injection of the medication

The nurse has a prescription to give dexamethasone by the intravenous (IV) route to a client with cerebral edema. How should the nurse prepare this medication?