NR 566 FINAL EXAM- CHAMBERLAIN.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026
UPDATE | 100% CORRECT.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and Doxylamine (Unisom) - ANS Two most common H1
antagonist sleep aids
What are H1 antagonists used to treat in allergic disorders? - ANS Mild allergic reactions,
such as allergic rhinitis and urticaria.
What are the anticholinergic adverse effects of H1 antagonists? - ANS Dry mouth and urinary
retention
What depressive effects can H1 antagonists cause? - ANS Sedation and impaired ability, more
common in FGA due to crossing the BBB
What behavioral adverse effects are associated with H1 antagonists? - ANS Confusion and
apathy
What stimulatory effects can H1 antagonists have? - ANS Muscle spasm and appetite
stimulation
What gastrointestinal adverse effects can occur with H1 antagonists? - ANS Discomfort
What can happen at high doses of H1 antagonists? - ANS CNS seizures and hallucinations
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 61
,In which populations are H1 antagonists contraindicated? - ANS Newborns, children under
the age of 2, and women who are breastfeeding.
What conditions contraindicate the use of H1 antagonists? - ANS Narrow-angle glaucoma,
prostatic hypertrophy, and acute exacerbation of asthma.
What is the effect of H1 antagonists on allergic rhinitis? - ANS Reduces sneezing, nasal
discharge, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.
What is the mechanism of action (MOA) of H1 antagonists? - ANS H1 antagonists work by
blocking H1 histamine receptors.
What effect do H1 antagonists have on histamine in the body? - ANS They help to reduce the
effects of histamine in the body.
How does blocking histamine action affect wakefulness? - ANS Blocking histamine action can
lead to sedation and help induce sleep.
What is a common side effect of H1 antagonists when used as a sleep aid? - ANS Daytime
Drowsiness: Users may experience lingering sedation the next day.
What are some anticholinergic effects of H1 antagonists? - ANS Dry mouth, blurred vision,
constipation, and urinary retention.
What CNS effects can H1 antagonists cause, particularly in older adults? - ANS Dizziness,
confusion, and incoordination.
What is the effect of H1 antagonists on urticaria? - ANS Diminishes redness, itching, and
swelling.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 61
,Which first-generation H1 antagonists are effective for motion sickness? - ANS Promethazine
and dimenhydrinate.
How do certain H1 antagonists help with motion sickness? - ANS They inhibit muscarinic
receptors.
Why are first-generation H1 antagonists included in sleep aids? - ANS For short-term
management of sleep disturbances.
What are the anticholinergic effects that older adults are more susceptible to? -
ANS Dizziness, confusion, and sedation.
Why should first-generation antihistamines be used cautiously in older adults? - ANS They
can increase sedation and anticholinergic effects, raising the risk of falls and accidents.
What criteria advises against the use of first-generation antihistamines in older adults? -
ANS Beers Criteria.
What is a concern regarding polypharmacy in older adults? - ANS Increased risk of drug
interactions and cumulative side effects.
What effect can first-generation antihistamines have on children? - ANS They can cause
paradoxical excitation, leading to increased agitation or insomnia.
What is advised for the use of antihistamines in infants? - ANS Over-the-counter cold
remedies should generally be avoided in children under four years old.
What is the Pregnancy Risk Category for antihistamines? - ANS Category C, meaning they
should only be used if benefits outweigh risks.
Which type of antihistamines are often preferred during pregnancy? - ANS Second-
generation antihistamines due to a better safety profile.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 61
, What should be considered regarding antihistamines and breastfeeding? - ANS Caution is
advised as they can pass into breast milk; consultation with a healthcare provider is
recommended.
How can age-related changes affect the use of antihistamines? - ANS They can alter
pharmacokinetics, affecting metabolism and excretion.
What should be considered regarding family support in medication management? - ANS The
ability of the family to manage medication regimens, especially in older adults and children.
What is a key difference in sedation between 1st and 2nd generation H1 antagonists? -
ANS First-generation causes significant sedation; second-generation is less sedating.
How do the mechanisms of 1st and 2nd generation H1 antagonists differ? - ANS First-
generation affects both H1 and muscarinic receptors; second-generation primarily targets H1
receptors.
What are the primary use cases for 1st generation H1 antagonists? - ANS Used for a broader
range of conditions, including insomnia and motion sickness.
What are the primary use cases for 2nd generation H1 antagonists? - ANS Mainly used for
allergic conditions.
What side effects are more pronounced in 1st generation H1 antagonists? - ANS More
pronounced side effects, particularly anticholinergic effects.
What are examples of second generation H1 antagonists? - ANS Fexofenadine (Allegra),
Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Loratadine (Claritin)
How sedating are second generation H1 antagonists? - ANS Less sedating as they do not cross
the blood-brain barrier effectively.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 4 OF 61
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026
UPDATE | 100% CORRECT.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and Doxylamine (Unisom) - ANS Two most common H1
antagonist sleep aids
What are H1 antagonists used to treat in allergic disorders? - ANS Mild allergic reactions,
such as allergic rhinitis and urticaria.
What are the anticholinergic adverse effects of H1 antagonists? - ANS Dry mouth and urinary
retention
What depressive effects can H1 antagonists cause? - ANS Sedation and impaired ability, more
common in FGA due to crossing the BBB
What behavioral adverse effects are associated with H1 antagonists? - ANS Confusion and
apathy
What stimulatory effects can H1 antagonists have? - ANS Muscle spasm and appetite
stimulation
What gastrointestinal adverse effects can occur with H1 antagonists? - ANS Discomfort
What can happen at high doses of H1 antagonists? - ANS CNS seizures and hallucinations
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 61
,In which populations are H1 antagonists contraindicated? - ANS Newborns, children under
the age of 2, and women who are breastfeeding.
What conditions contraindicate the use of H1 antagonists? - ANS Narrow-angle glaucoma,
prostatic hypertrophy, and acute exacerbation of asthma.
What is the effect of H1 antagonists on allergic rhinitis? - ANS Reduces sneezing, nasal
discharge, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.
What is the mechanism of action (MOA) of H1 antagonists? - ANS H1 antagonists work by
blocking H1 histamine receptors.
What effect do H1 antagonists have on histamine in the body? - ANS They help to reduce the
effects of histamine in the body.
How does blocking histamine action affect wakefulness? - ANS Blocking histamine action can
lead to sedation and help induce sleep.
What is a common side effect of H1 antagonists when used as a sleep aid? - ANS Daytime
Drowsiness: Users may experience lingering sedation the next day.
What are some anticholinergic effects of H1 antagonists? - ANS Dry mouth, blurred vision,
constipation, and urinary retention.
What CNS effects can H1 antagonists cause, particularly in older adults? - ANS Dizziness,
confusion, and incoordination.
What is the effect of H1 antagonists on urticaria? - ANS Diminishes redness, itching, and
swelling.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 61
,Which first-generation H1 antagonists are effective for motion sickness? - ANS Promethazine
and dimenhydrinate.
How do certain H1 antagonists help with motion sickness? - ANS They inhibit muscarinic
receptors.
Why are first-generation H1 antagonists included in sleep aids? - ANS For short-term
management of sleep disturbances.
What are the anticholinergic effects that older adults are more susceptible to? -
ANS Dizziness, confusion, and sedation.
Why should first-generation antihistamines be used cautiously in older adults? - ANS They
can increase sedation and anticholinergic effects, raising the risk of falls and accidents.
What criteria advises against the use of first-generation antihistamines in older adults? -
ANS Beers Criteria.
What is a concern regarding polypharmacy in older adults? - ANS Increased risk of drug
interactions and cumulative side effects.
What effect can first-generation antihistamines have on children? - ANS They can cause
paradoxical excitation, leading to increased agitation or insomnia.
What is advised for the use of antihistamines in infants? - ANS Over-the-counter cold
remedies should generally be avoided in children under four years old.
What is the Pregnancy Risk Category for antihistamines? - ANS Category C, meaning they
should only be used if benefits outweigh risks.
Which type of antihistamines are often preferred during pregnancy? - ANS Second-
generation antihistamines due to a better safety profile.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 61
, What should be considered regarding antihistamines and breastfeeding? - ANS Caution is
advised as they can pass into breast milk; consultation with a healthcare provider is
recommended.
How can age-related changes affect the use of antihistamines? - ANS They can alter
pharmacokinetics, affecting metabolism and excretion.
What should be considered regarding family support in medication management? - ANS The
ability of the family to manage medication regimens, especially in older adults and children.
What is a key difference in sedation between 1st and 2nd generation H1 antagonists? -
ANS First-generation causes significant sedation; second-generation is less sedating.
How do the mechanisms of 1st and 2nd generation H1 antagonists differ? - ANS First-
generation affects both H1 and muscarinic receptors; second-generation primarily targets H1
receptors.
What are the primary use cases for 1st generation H1 antagonists? - ANS Used for a broader
range of conditions, including insomnia and motion sickness.
What are the primary use cases for 2nd generation H1 antagonists? - ANS Mainly used for
allergic conditions.
What side effects are more pronounced in 1st generation H1 antagonists? - ANS More
pronounced side effects, particularly anticholinergic effects.
What are examples of second generation H1 antagonists? - ANS Fexofenadine (Allegra),
Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Loratadine (Claritin)
How sedating are second generation H1 antagonists? - ANS Less sedating as they do not cross
the blood-brain barrier effectively.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 4 OF 61
