NU 578 Controlled Substances (Ch. 21–22, 24, 29–35)
University of South Alabama | Actual Exam Questions &
100% Correct Answers | Latest Update 2026 | Nursing
Exam Prep
1. If a patient is not responding well to traditional antiseizure medications, how
might vagus nerve stimulation be integrated into their treatment plan?
As a method to increase medication dosages.
As a replacement for all current medications.
As a complementary treatment to help control seizures.
As a diagnostic tool to identify seizure types.
2. Describe how the ketogenic diet may influence seizure management in
patients.
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that can lead
to metabolic changes that help reduce seizure frequency.
The ketogenic diet eliminates all fats to prevent seizures.
The ketogenic diet is a balanced diet that includes all food groups
equally.
The ketogenic diet focuses on high protein intake to manage seizures.
3. Describe the significance of maintaining Phenytoin serum levels within the
target range.
Higher serum levels of Phenytoin are always beneficial for seizure
management.
Maintaining Phenytoin serum levels within the target range is crucial
to ensure effective seizure control while minimizing the risk of side
effects.
, Phenytoin serum levels do not affect seizure control.
The target range is irrelevant for patient adherence.
4. Impaired consciousness, blank stare or eyelid fluttering for 10-30 seconds
Jacksonian
simple seizure
absence seizure
complex partial seizure
generalized tonic-clonic seizure
5. A woman with epilepsy is planning to conceive and is currently taking
carbamazepine. What steps should she take to ensure a healthy pregnancy?
She should rely solely on non-pharmacological treatments for seizure
management.
She should stop taking all medications immediately.
She should increase her dosage of carbamazepine during pregnancy.
She should consult her healthcare provider about her medication
and take folic acid supplements before conception.
6. If a patient experiences a tonic-clonic seizure lasting longer than 90 seconds,
what should be the immediate concern for medical personnel?
Potential for status epilepticus
Risk of dehydration
Increased muscle fatigue
Need for immediate surgery
7. Describe the role of Valproic Acid in the treatment of seizures and how it may
benefit patients with bipolar disorder.
, Valproic Acid helps stabilize mood in bipolar disorder and controls
seizure activity.
Valproic Acid only treats seizures without any mood-stabilizing
effects.
Valproic Acid is only effective for migraines and has no role in bipolar
disorder.
Valproic Acid is primarily used for anxiety and depression.
8. What neurotransmitter's reuptake does Tiagabine inhibit?
Dopamine
Serotonin
GABA
Glutamate
9. Describe the importance of monitoring serum drug levels in patients taking
Phenytoin.
Monitoring serum drug levels is crucial to avoid toxicity and ensure
therapeutic effectiveness.
Serum drug levels help in diagnosing seizures.
Monitoring serum drug levels is only important for new medications.
Serum drug levels are not necessary for Phenytoin.
10. A) Patients should not maintain a seizure frequency chart, as it is not useful
for managing seizures.
It is not important for patients to keep records of their seizures.
Patients should maintain a seizure frequency chart, indicating the
date, time, and nature of all seizure events, and bring it to all clinic
appointments.
, Maintaining a seizure frequency chart is essential and should be done
only by healthcare professionals.
11. Why is it important for patients taking antiseizure drugs to maintain a seizure
frequency chart and bring it to all clinic appointments?
The chart allows patients to record their dietary intake.
The chart helps patients track their physical activity levels.
The chart provides valuable information about seizure events.
The chart helps patients monitor their medication levels.
12. Phenytoin works by
Blocking sodium entry into all CNS neurons at the time of seizure
activity
Selectively inhibiting sodium entry into overly active neurons
Inhibiting calcium entry into all CNS neurons
Exciting healthy neurons to override overly active neurons
13. List two therapeutic uses of Gabapentin aside from seizure management.
Anxiety and depression
Postherpetic neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy
Insomnia and fatigue
Hypertension and asthma
14. Describe the duration and symptoms associated with a simple partial
seizure.
Symptoms may include discrete motor, sensory, autonomic, or
psychoillusory symptoms lasting 20 to 90 seconds.
University of South Alabama | Actual Exam Questions &
100% Correct Answers | Latest Update 2026 | Nursing
Exam Prep
1. If a patient is not responding well to traditional antiseizure medications, how
might vagus nerve stimulation be integrated into their treatment plan?
As a method to increase medication dosages.
As a replacement for all current medications.
As a complementary treatment to help control seizures.
As a diagnostic tool to identify seizure types.
2. Describe how the ketogenic diet may influence seizure management in
patients.
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that can lead
to metabolic changes that help reduce seizure frequency.
The ketogenic diet eliminates all fats to prevent seizures.
The ketogenic diet is a balanced diet that includes all food groups
equally.
The ketogenic diet focuses on high protein intake to manage seizures.
3. Describe the significance of maintaining Phenytoin serum levels within the
target range.
Higher serum levels of Phenytoin are always beneficial for seizure
management.
Maintaining Phenytoin serum levels within the target range is crucial
to ensure effective seizure control while minimizing the risk of side
effects.
, Phenytoin serum levels do not affect seizure control.
The target range is irrelevant for patient adherence.
4. Impaired consciousness, blank stare or eyelid fluttering for 10-30 seconds
Jacksonian
simple seizure
absence seizure
complex partial seizure
generalized tonic-clonic seizure
5. A woman with epilepsy is planning to conceive and is currently taking
carbamazepine. What steps should she take to ensure a healthy pregnancy?
She should rely solely on non-pharmacological treatments for seizure
management.
She should stop taking all medications immediately.
She should increase her dosage of carbamazepine during pregnancy.
She should consult her healthcare provider about her medication
and take folic acid supplements before conception.
6. If a patient experiences a tonic-clonic seizure lasting longer than 90 seconds,
what should be the immediate concern for medical personnel?
Potential for status epilepticus
Risk of dehydration
Increased muscle fatigue
Need for immediate surgery
7. Describe the role of Valproic Acid in the treatment of seizures and how it may
benefit patients with bipolar disorder.
, Valproic Acid helps stabilize mood in bipolar disorder and controls
seizure activity.
Valproic Acid only treats seizures without any mood-stabilizing
effects.
Valproic Acid is only effective for migraines and has no role in bipolar
disorder.
Valproic Acid is primarily used for anxiety and depression.
8. What neurotransmitter's reuptake does Tiagabine inhibit?
Dopamine
Serotonin
GABA
Glutamate
9. Describe the importance of monitoring serum drug levels in patients taking
Phenytoin.
Monitoring serum drug levels is crucial to avoid toxicity and ensure
therapeutic effectiveness.
Serum drug levels help in diagnosing seizures.
Monitoring serum drug levels is only important for new medications.
Serum drug levels are not necessary for Phenytoin.
10. A) Patients should not maintain a seizure frequency chart, as it is not useful
for managing seizures.
It is not important for patients to keep records of their seizures.
Patients should maintain a seizure frequency chart, indicating the
date, time, and nature of all seizure events, and bring it to all clinic
appointments.
, Maintaining a seizure frequency chart is essential and should be done
only by healthcare professionals.
11. Why is it important for patients taking antiseizure drugs to maintain a seizure
frequency chart and bring it to all clinic appointments?
The chart allows patients to record their dietary intake.
The chart helps patients track their physical activity levels.
The chart provides valuable information about seizure events.
The chart helps patients monitor their medication levels.
12. Phenytoin works by
Blocking sodium entry into all CNS neurons at the time of seizure
activity
Selectively inhibiting sodium entry into overly active neurons
Inhibiting calcium entry into all CNS neurons
Exciting healthy neurons to override overly active neurons
13. List two therapeutic uses of Gabapentin aside from seizure management.
Anxiety and depression
Postherpetic neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy
Insomnia and fatigue
Hypertension and asthma
14. Describe the duration and symptoms associated with a simple partial
seizure.
Symptoms may include discrete motor, sensory, autonomic, or
psychoillusory symptoms lasting 20 to 90 seconds.
