Chapters 17-20

Question 1

What are the three medically approved usages for cns stimulants

Answer 1

1. adhd in children
2. narcolepsy
3. reversal of respiratory distress

Question 2

This category of sedative-hypnotics does not have lingering side effects

Answer 2

short-acting hypnotics

Question 3

if your patient is having a seizure, what is the first medication you would administer

Answer 3

lorazapam (ativan)

Question 4

this disorder affects extrapyramidal motor tract including controls posture, balance, and locomotion

Answer 4

Parkinson’s disease

Question 5

This drug in part works by facilitating transmission of levodopa to brain cells for conversion to dopamine

Answer 5

carbidopa-levodopa (sinemet)

Question 6

your patient is complaining of difficulty falling asleep. What are some recommendations to provide?

Answer 6

1. always start with non-pharmacologic before utilizing a sleeping agent, encourage your patient to try to maintain a sleep schedule, and avoid napping during the daytime, don’t consume anything with caffeine within 6 hours of bedtime, maintain low lights during hours of sleep, avoid electronics.

Question 7

the dysregulation of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine is due to this disorder

Answer 7

ADHD

Question 8

long-acting sedative-hypnotics are utilized to control which neurologic disorder

Answer 8

epilepsy

Question 9

a concerning adverse outcome for your patient on phenytoin (dilantin) is

Answer 9

gingival hyperplasia

Question 10

what are defining characteristics of Parkinson’s

Answer 10

tremors, gait disturbance, bradykinesia, rigidity. additional characteristic symptoms: absence of arm swing, pill-rolling motions of hands, tremors more prevalent at rest, masked face, involuntary tremors of head and neck.

Question 11

this medication functions by preventing peripheral COMT degradation to allow more levodopa to reach the brain

Answer 11

entacapone (comtan)

Question 12

this drug is short-acting in the use of sleep, and does not cause a risk for withdrawal or tolerance

Answer 12

ramelteon (rozerem)

Question 13

this category of drug works by releasing norepinephrine and dopamine from the brain and sympathetic nervous system

Answer 13

amphetamines

Question 14

this drug works by binding to receptors in the limbic system and reticular formation to reduce anxiety and/or panic disorders

Answer 14

alprazolam (xanax)

Question 15

your pregnant client asks if she can continue taking her phenobarbital for her epilepsy. as the nurse, how would you respond?

Answer 15

yes, this is safer in pregnancy, and has less caution than other antiseizure drugs.

Question 16

what are the two neurotransmitters that are deficient in Parkinson’s?

Answer 16

dopamine and ACh

Question 17

your patient with Parkinson’s is taking selegiline and asks if they need to follow any dietary restrictions. as the nurse, what is your best response?

Answer 17

you would need to avoid foods containing tyramine. (aged foods, red wine, and bananas)

Question 18

what encompasses the severe stage of alzheimer’s

Answer 18

forgets previously known individuals, all recent experiences are forgotten, inability to converse, swallow, or ambulate

Question 19

this drug works by affecting changes in dopamine transportation in patients with narcolepsy

Answer 19

methylphenidate

Question 20

what is imperative to assess prior to administering alprazolam (xanax)

Answer 20

blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturations - xanax can cause lethargy, drowsiness, hypotension, and respiratory suppression

Question 21

what is status epilepticus

Answer 21

a seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes, or multiple seizures with no recovery in between

Question 22

your patient with Parkinson’s explains he has been taking his medication as prescribed and at the correct times, but is starting to notice his symptoms are presenting before his next dose is due. as the nurse what do you presume is the causative factor

Answer 22

on-off syndrome. it’s possible he may need to increase his dosage/frequency.

Question 23

this medication works to improve memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 23

rivastigmine (exelon)

Question 24

this can be given in high doses to stimulate respirations

Answer 24

caffeine

Question 25

this medication used for insomnia causes CNS depression and inhibition of neurotransmitters

Answer 25

ambien (zolpidem tartrate)

Question 26

this antiepileptic drug works by inhibiting sodium influx, stabilizing cell membranes, reducing repetitive neuronal firing, and limiting seizures, and acts as an antidysrhythmic

Answer 26

phenytoin (dilantin)

Question 27

this medication functions by inhibiting MAO-B resulting in prolonged action of levodopa

Answer 27

selegiline (eldepryl)

Question 28

what entails the mild stage of Alzheimer’s

Answer 28

mild stage begins with memory loss, difficulty concentrating, misplacing personal items, difficulty with planning and organizing

Question 29

your patient taking carbidopa-levadopa asks you if this will cure their Parkinson’s. how would you respond

Answer 29

this is not curative, solely palliative. it is important to be realistic about expectations.