Chapter 13: Central Nervous System Depressants and Muscle Relaxants Flashcards
Which is a true statement about sedatives and hypnotics?
a. The two terms mean the same thing.
b. A hypnotic causes sleep.
c. Low doses of sedatives will cause sleep.
d. Compared with sedatives, hypnotics have a less potent effect on the central
nervous system.
b. A hypnotic causes sleep.
A patient who has been taking phenobarbital for 2 weeks as part of therapy for epilepsy
reports feeling tense and that the “least little thing” is a bother now. What is the nurse’s best
explanation to the patient?
a. These adverse effects will often subside after a few weeks.
b. The drug should be stopped immediately because of possible adverse effects.
c. This drug causes the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep period to increase, resulting
in nightmares and restlessness.
d. This drug causes deprivation of REM sleep and may cause the patient’s inability to
deal with normal stress.
d. This drug causes deprivation of REM sleep and may cause the patient’s inability to
deal with normal stress.
A 50-year-old male who has been taking a benzodiazepine for 1 week is found unresponsive.
His wife states that he takes no other prescription drugs and that he did not take an
overdose—the correct number of pills is in the bottle. What might have happened?
a. He took a multivitamin.
b. He drank a glass of wine.
c. He took a dose of Aspirin.
d. He developed an allergy to the drug.
b. He drank a glass of wine
A patient has been taking temazepam (Restoril®) for intermittent insomnia. She tells the nurse
that when she takes it, she sleeps well, but the next day she feels “so tired.” What is the
nurse’s best explanation to the patient?
a. Long-term use results in a sedative effect.
b. She should take the drug every night to reduce this hangover effect.
c. Benzodiazepines affect the sleep cycle, thus causing a hangover effect.
d. Benzodiazepines increase CNS activity, thus causing tiredness the next day.
c. Benzodiazepines affect the sleep cycle, thus causing a hangover effect.
A patient who is recovering from a minor automobile accident that occurred 1 week ago is
taking cyclobenzaprine (Novo-Cycloprine®) for muscular pain and goes to physical therapy
three times a week. Which nursing diagnosis would be appropriate for him?
a. Risk for falls related to decreased sensorium
b. Risk for addiction related to psychological dependency
c. Excess fluid volume related to potential adverse effects
d. Disturbed sleep pattern related to the drug’s interference with REM sleep
a. Risk for falls related to decreased sensorium
A patient is taking flurazepam (Apo-Flurazepam®) 3 to 4 nights a week for sleeplessness. She
is concerned that she cannot get to sleep without taking the medication. What measures are
appropriate for this patient?
a. Trying to establish set sleep patterns
b. Exercising before bedtime to become tired
c. Consuming heavy meals in the evening to promote sleepiness
d. Drinking warm beverages, such as tea or coffee, just before bedtime
a. Trying to establish set sleep patterns
Which is the best treatment of an acute overdose of diazepam?
a. Infusion with diluted bicarbonate solution
b. Administration of medications to decrease blood pressure
c. Administration of flumazenil
d. Administration of nalbuphine as an antagonist
c. Administration of flumazenil
A 45-year-old female has been taking dantrolene as part of the treatment for multiple
sclerosis. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor while the patient receives
dantrolene?
a. Creatinine
b. Sedimentation rate
c. Liver function studies
d. Hemoglobin and hematocrit
c. Liver function studies
What is an adverse effect of barbiturate administration?
a. Vasoconstriction
b. Thrombocytopenia
c. Hypertension
d. Excitement
b. Thrombocytopenia
Which natural health product is used by some people to promote sleep and to relieve anxiety and restlessness? a. Kava b. Garlic c. Ginger d. Ginkgo
a. Kava
The nurse is preparing to administer a barbiturate. Which condition(s) or disorder(s) are
contraindications to the use of these drugs? (Select all that apply.)
a. Gout
b. Pregnancy
c. Epilepsy
d. Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
e. Peripheral vascular disease
f. Advanced liver disease
g. Current use of an opioid analgesic
ANS: B, D, F, G
b. Pregnancy
f. Advanced liver disease
g. Current use of an opioid analgesic
