NURS-615 Exam 2 Maryville University
Pharmacology : Questions & Answers: Latest
Updated Solution
How does carbamazepine work? - Answer--Works by decreasing nerve impulses that
cause seizures and pain
How often should carbamazepine lab values be monitored? What labs? - Answer--CBC
q 3-4 months
What anti-seizure med auto induces metabolism? - Answer--Carbamazepine
What medication decreases the production of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets? -
Answer--Carbamazepine
What is carbamazepine half-life? - Answer--Single dose: 30 hours
Multiple dose: 15 hours
What is a great risk of seizure potential while taking anti-seizure medications? -
Answer--Stopping the medication abruptly.
What type of medication is topiramate (Topamax)? - Answer--Anti-seizure med
What does topiramate cause? - Answer--Electrolyte imbalance -- hyperchloremic
metabolic acidosis
What are adverse effects of topiramate? - Answer--Weight loss, high temperature, and
inability to sweat
, What medication affects Lamictal? - Answer--OCPs decrease the effects of this drug, so
the dose must be doubled
Can valproate (Depakote) be used during pregnancy? - Answer--It is a known
teratogen. If needed, must be used after 1st trimester.
What must be ruled out in patients before starting an anti-depressant? -
Answer--hypothyroidism
Anti-depressant that is to be used with caution in cardiac patients due to behaving like
class 1 anti-arrythmics? - Answer--TCAs
TCA side effects are mainly of what type? - Answer--Anti-cholinergic
What is a first-line antidepressant in children? - Answer--fluoxetine (Prozac)
How do you discontinue an SSRI? - Answer--Taper by reducing the dose by 50% for 3-4
days
When are MAOIs effective? - Answer--In atypical depression or Parkinson's
Why are MAOIs reserved for last line of treatment? - Answer--Lethal drug interactions
and food interactions
How long before starting a new antidepressant after MAOIs? - Answer--At least 2 weeks
to clear it from system
What are high tyramine foods and when are they contraindicated? - Answer--Fermented
foods; aged cheese, wine alcohol
Contraindicated with MAOI use
Important drug interaction and side effect with MAOIs? - Answer--Avoid other serotonin
drugs and watch for hypertensive crisis
What anti-depressant may have sleep issues if taken at night? - Answer--fluoxetine
(Prozac) (SSRI)
How do SSRIs work? - Answer--They block the reuptake of serotonin at the synaptic
cleft so there is more serotonin around
Pharmacology : Questions & Answers: Latest
Updated Solution
How does carbamazepine work? - Answer--Works by decreasing nerve impulses that
cause seizures and pain
How often should carbamazepine lab values be monitored? What labs? - Answer--CBC
q 3-4 months
What anti-seizure med auto induces metabolism? - Answer--Carbamazepine
What medication decreases the production of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets? -
Answer--Carbamazepine
What is carbamazepine half-life? - Answer--Single dose: 30 hours
Multiple dose: 15 hours
What is a great risk of seizure potential while taking anti-seizure medications? -
Answer--Stopping the medication abruptly.
What type of medication is topiramate (Topamax)? - Answer--Anti-seizure med
What does topiramate cause? - Answer--Electrolyte imbalance -- hyperchloremic
metabolic acidosis
What are adverse effects of topiramate? - Answer--Weight loss, high temperature, and
inability to sweat
, What medication affects Lamictal? - Answer--OCPs decrease the effects of this drug, so
the dose must be doubled
Can valproate (Depakote) be used during pregnancy? - Answer--It is a known
teratogen. If needed, must be used after 1st trimester.
What must be ruled out in patients before starting an anti-depressant? -
Answer--hypothyroidism
Anti-depressant that is to be used with caution in cardiac patients due to behaving like
class 1 anti-arrythmics? - Answer--TCAs
TCA side effects are mainly of what type? - Answer--Anti-cholinergic
What is a first-line antidepressant in children? - Answer--fluoxetine (Prozac)
How do you discontinue an SSRI? - Answer--Taper by reducing the dose by 50% for 3-4
days
When are MAOIs effective? - Answer--In atypical depression or Parkinson's
Why are MAOIs reserved for last line of treatment? - Answer--Lethal drug interactions
and food interactions
How long before starting a new antidepressant after MAOIs? - Answer--At least 2 weeks
to clear it from system
What are high tyramine foods and when are they contraindicated? - Answer--Fermented
foods; aged cheese, wine alcohol
Contraindicated with MAOI use
Important drug interaction and side effect with MAOIs? - Answer--Avoid other serotonin
drugs and watch for hypertensive crisis
What anti-depressant may have sleep issues if taken at night? - Answer--fluoxetine
(Prozac) (SSRI)
How do SSRIs work? - Answer--They block the reuptake of serotonin at the synaptic
cleft so there is more serotonin around
