NSG 320 Exam 4 Medications & Nursing Interventions - (Latest 2026/2027
Update) Pharmacology, Neurology, Orthopedics, Rheumatology | Q&A | Grade
A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
Subject: Medical-Surgical Nursing / Pharmacology & Neuromusculoskeletal Disorders
Source: NSG 320 Exam 4 – Comprehensive Review
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
1: What is celecoxib used for and what are its key nursing considerations?
Correct Answer: Pain/inflammation (arthritis). Less GI risk but increased CV risk.
1. COX-2 selective NSAID.
2. Contraindicated in patients with cardiovascular disease.
3. Monitor for hypertension, MI, stroke.
2: What is cyclobenzaprine used for and what is the key nursing consideration?
Correct Answer: Muscle spasms. Sedation → avoid driving.
1. Central-acting muscle relaxant.
2. Causes significant drowsiness and dizziness.
3. Advise patients not to operate heavy machinery.
3: What is alendronate and how should it be administered?
Correct Answer: A bisphosphonate for Osteoporosis → take on empty stomach, stay upright 30
minutes.
1. Prevents esophageal irritation/esophagitis.
2. Take with 8 oz water upon awakening.
3. Do not lie down for 30-60 minutes after taking.
4: What is allopurinol used for and what is the key consideration?
Correct Answer: Prevent gout → NOT for acute attacks.
1. Xanthine oxidase inhibitor reduces uric acid production.
2. Start 2 weeks after acute attack resolves.
3. Can precipitate acute attack if started during flare.
5: What is duloxetine used for and what should be monitored?
Correct Answer: Depression + nerve pain. Monitor mood/suicidal thoughts.
1. SNRI antidepressant (Cymbalta).
2. Also indicated for fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy.
3. Monitor for serotonin syndrome.
, 6: What is trazodone used for and what is the key nursing consideration?
Correct Answer: Depression + sleep. Take at night (sedation).
1. Sedating antidepressant (SARI class).
2. Low risk of sexual side effects.
3. Priapism rare but serious.
7: What is amitriptyline used for and what are its side effects?
Correct Answer: Depression + nerve pain. Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, constipation, urinary
retention).
1. Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA).
2. Cardiotoxic in overdose (widened QRS).
3. Sedating, take at bedtime.
8: What is haloperidol used for and what side effects should be monitored?
Correct Answer: Psychosis. EPS (rigidity, tremor).
1. First-generation antipsychotic (typical).
2. Risk of tardive dyskinesia (long-term).p>
3. Monitor for neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
9: What is aripiprazole used for and what is its advantage over typical antipsychotics?
Correct Answer: Psychosis. Less EPS than typicals.
1. Second-generation antipsychotic (atypical).
2. Partial dopamine agonist.
3. Monitor for weight gain, metabolic syndrome.
10: What is gabapentin used for and what are its side effects?
Correct Answer: Seizures + nerve pain. Sedation/dizziness.
1. Anticonvulsant also for neuropathic pain.
2. Also for postherpetic neuralgia, fibromyalgia.
3. Do not stop abruptly (seizure recurrence).
11: What is levetiracetam (Keppra) used for and what is its advantage?
Correct Answer: Seizures. Few drug interactions.
1. Broad-spectrum anticonvulsant.
2. Monitor for behavioral changes (irritability, aggression).
3. Do not stop abruptly.
Update) Pharmacology, Neurology, Orthopedics, Rheumatology | Q&A | Grade
A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
Subject: Medical-Surgical Nursing / Pharmacology & Neuromusculoskeletal Disorders
Source: NSG 320 Exam 4 – Comprehensive Review
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
1: What is celecoxib used for and what are its key nursing considerations?
Correct Answer: Pain/inflammation (arthritis). Less GI risk but increased CV risk.
1. COX-2 selective NSAID.
2. Contraindicated in patients with cardiovascular disease.
3. Monitor for hypertension, MI, stroke.
2: What is cyclobenzaprine used for and what is the key nursing consideration?
Correct Answer: Muscle spasms. Sedation → avoid driving.
1. Central-acting muscle relaxant.
2. Causes significant drowsiness and dizziness.
3. Advise patients not to operate heavy machinery.
3: What is alendronate and how should it be administered?
Correct Answer: A bisphosphonate for Osteoporosis → take on empty stomach, stay upright 30
minutes.
1. Prevents esophageal irritation/esophagitis.
2. Take with 8 oz water upon awakening.
3. Do not lie down for 30-60 minutes after taking.
4: What is allopurinol used for and what is the key consideration?
Correct Answer: Prevent gout → NOT for acute attacks.
1. Xanthine oxidase inhibitor reduces uric acid production.
2. Start 2 weeks after acute attack resolves.
3. Can precipitate acute attack if started during flare.
5: What is duloxetine used for and what should be monitored?
Correct Answer: Depression + nerve pain. Monitor mood/suicidal thoughts.
1. SNRI antidepressant (Cymbalta).
2. Also indicated for fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy.
3. Monitor for serotonin syndrome.
, 6: What is trazodone used for and what is the key nursing consideration?
Correct Answer: Depression + sleep. Take at night (sedation).
1. Sedating antidepressant (SARI class).
2. Low risk of sexual side effects.
3. Priapism rare but serious.
7: What is amitriptyline used for and what are its side effects?
Correct Answer: Depression + nerve pain. Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, constipation, urinary
retention).
1. Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA).
2. Cardiotoxic in overdose (widened QRS).
3. Sedating, take at bedtime.
8: What is haloperidol used for and what side effects should be monitored?
Correct Answer: Psychosis. EPS (rigidity, tremor).
1. First-generation antipsychotic (typical).
2. Risk of tardive dyskinesia (long-term).p>
3. Monitor for neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
9: What is aripiprazole used for and what is its advantage over typical antipsychotics?
Correct Answer: Psychosis. Less EPS than typicals.
1. Second-generation antipsychotic (atypical).
2. Partial dopamine agonist.
3. Monitor for weight gain, metabolic syndrome.
10: What is gabapentin used for and what are its side effects?
Correct Answer: Seizures + nerve pain. Sedation/dizziness.
1. Anticonvulsant also for neuropathic pain.
2. Also for postherpetic neuralgia, fibromyalgia.
3. Do not stop abruptly (seizure recurrence).
11: What is levetiracetam (Keppra) used for and what is its advantage?
Correct Answer: Seizures. Few drug interactions.
1. Broad-spectrum anticonvulsant.
2. Monitor for behavioral changes (irritability, aggression).
3. Do not stop abruptly.
