NUR 2474 Rasmussen Pharmacology
Exam 1 – With Questions & Solutions
(100% Verified)
when should we complete blood testing with use of lithium? - ANSWER - early in
therapy- every 2-3 days, until a therapeutic dose has been established, then long
term-every 3 to 6 months
therapeutic level of lithium - ANSWER - 0.8-1.4 mEq/L
toxic level of lithium - ANSWER - greater than 1.5 mEq/L
when can we start to see side effects of lithium? - ANSWER - when the drug is at a
therapeutic level. they are expected.
what are the side effects of lithium (therapeutic level)? - ANSWER - GI effects,
tremors, polyuria, renal toxicity, goiter, hypothyroidism, teratogenesis.
what will happen to side effects when one has a toxic level of lithium? - ANSWER -
the effects will be much worse and possibly life threatening i.e. tremor that becomes
larger with muscle incoordination
what medications can we use to treat the cyclic effects of bipolar (mood-depression-
psychosis)? - ANSWER - mood stabilizer (lithium)= control mood
antidepressant (SSRI,TCA,MAOI)= control depression
antipsychotic (Ist/2nd generation)= control the psychosis
how does a benzodiazepine help with ETOH withdrawal? - ANSWER - it will
decrease the withdrawal manifestations and intensity, while making one sleepy and
having CNS depression. plus, it is easy to give IM and will work quickly.
what is a popular benzodiazepine that is used to treat anxiety? - ANSWER -
alprazolam (think A-anxiety)
how does alprazolam work to reduce anxiety? - ANSWER - it inhibits GABA in the
CNS, depressing the CNS.
what are the side effects of alprazolam use? - ANSWER - a. CNS depression,
anterograde amnesia (patient cannot remember much), sleep driving (not safe),
paradoxical effects (still anxious, stays up, rowdy), respiratory depression.
what drugs does alprazolam interact with? - ANSWER - CNS depressant
medications (additive effects), ETOH
what are various treatments and drugs used to treat anxiety patients? - ANSWER -
benzo's (pam/lam), atypical anxiolytic buspirone, SSRIs paroxetine/fluoxetine, TCAs,
MAOIs, trazodone.
, explain what a sedative hypnotic does - ANSWER - cause the patient to have
sedation, sleepiness, CNS depression, anterograde amnesia (patient cannot
remember much), sleep driving (not safe),respiratory depression
what things should we teach the patient using a drug to treat anxiety? - ANSWER -
drug should be tapered only by the HCP, not patient
no ETOH use
what withdrawal effects may look like
what does anxiety medication PO withdraw look like? - ANSWER - drowsiness,
lethargy, confusion
what does anxiety medication IV withdraw look like? - ANSWER - hypotension,
respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest.
explain what methylphenidate does - ANSWER - increases attention and focus in
children (NOTHING DEALING W/ BEHAVIORS)
other effects of methylphenidate use in children - ANSWER - decreased appetite
insomnia if given late in the day
what things should we always do when giving methylphenidate to a child with
ADHD? - ANSWER - ALWAYS: give the drug in the morning, after breakfast, and
give the last dose before 4pm, or else the child will not sleep at night
which 3 drugs are controlled substances and highly abused? - ANSWER -
amphetamines, barbiturates, methylphenidate
what is the purpose of drug treatment with Alzheimer Disease patients? - ANSWER -
there is treatment to help slow down the progression of the disease, but to not cure it
how does donepezil works? - ANSWER - it slow the progression of Alzheimers
disease by causing reversible inhibition of cholinesterase and the cholinergic
receptors.
what should we do when discontinuing an antidepressant (or any medication)? -
ANSWER - if antidepressant is stopped cold turkey, withdrawal syndrome can occur.
we must gradually taper the drug slowly and have the HCP taper it.
do not let patient taper drug by themselves.
what are signs and symptoms of withdrawal syndrome? - ANSWER - HA, Nausea,
visual disturbances, sweating, dizziness, tremors
what is the relationship between sertraline and nursing infants? - ANSWER - when
this drug is used with a patient who is pregnant or nursing infants, the infant can
have neonatal abstinence syndrome occur
what should we educate pregnant or nursing moms about when using sertraline? -
ANSWER - We must educate the patient on potentially using other medications
