Maryville University Pharmacology
NURS-615 Exam 2 Questions & Answers
What medication affects Lamictal? - SOLVED ANSWER-OCPs decrease the effects of
this drug, so the dose must be doubled
Can valproate (Depakote) be used during pregnancy? - SOLVED 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? - SOLVED
ANSWER-hypothyroidism
Anti-depressant that is to be used with caution in cardiac patients due to behaving like
class 1 anti-arrythmics? - SOLVED ANSWER-TCAs
TCA side effects are mainly of what type? - SOLVED ANSWER-Anti-cholinergic
What is a first-line antidepressant in children? - SOLVED ANSWER-fluoxetine (Prozac)
How do you discontinue an SSRI? - SOLVED ANSWER-Taper by reducing the dose by
50% for 3-4 days
When are MAOIs effective? - SOLVED ANSWER-In atypical depression or Parkinson's
Why are MAOIs reserved for last line of treatment? - SOLVED ANSWER-Lethal drug
interactions and food interactions
,How long before starting a new antidepressant after MAOIs? - SOLVED ANSWER-At
least 2 weeks to clear it from system
What are high tyramine foods and when are they contraindicated? - SOLVED
ANSWER-Fermented foods; aged cheese, wine alcohol
Contraindicated with MAOI use
Important drug interaction and side effect with MAOIs? - SOLVED ANSWER-Avoid
other serotonin drugs and watch for hypertensive crisis
What anti-depressant may have sleep issues if taken at night? - SOLVED ANSWER-
fluoxetine (Prozac) (SSRI)
How do SSRIs work? - SOLVED ANSWER-They block the reuptake of serotonin at the
synaptic cleft so there is more serotonin around
How are sexual side effects linked to SSRIs? - SOLVED ANSWER-Sexual side effects
may start after 1 month; especially common in Paxil
How long does it take for SSRIs to work? - SOLVED ANSWER-2-6 weeks; usually
within 4 weeks; some symptoms may improve within 1 to 2 weeks
What medication is a seroternergic 5-ht receptor partial agonist (partial alpha 1 receptor
agonist)? - SOLVED ANSWER-buspirone (Buspar)
What is special about buspirone (Buspar)? - SOLVED ANSWER-It has both anti-anxiety
and anti-depressant effects.
, How is treatment with buspirone (Buspar) usually conducted? - SOLVED ANSWER-Can
be combined with an SSRI to treat patients with agitated or anxious depression
Benzodiazepines affect what neurotransmitter and how? - SOLVED ANSWER-
Increases the effects of GABA
What medications results in a sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, and muscle relaxer effect? -
SOLVED ANSWER-Benzodiazepines
What anxiolytic has the greatest risk for dependence and resistance? - SOLVED
ANSWER-alprazolam (Xanax)
What anxiolytic is first line treatment for panic disorder? - SOLVED ANSWER-diazepam
(Valium)
What are characteristics of serotonin syndrome? - SOLVED ANSWER-nausea,
diarrhea, sweating, hyperthermia, myoclonic jerking, tremor, agitation, disorientation,
HTN, delirium, death
What medication is approved for depression with low energy? - SOLVED ANSWER-
venlafaxine (Effexor) (SNRI)
How does Lithium act as a mood stabilizer? - SOLVED ANSWER-It replaces sodium
during depolarization so it stops the transmission of electrical impulses
What is important patient teaching for Lithium? - SOLVED ANSWER-Eat a diet with
consistent levels of salt because the medication can interfere with the cell sodium
channels
NURS-615 Exam 2 Questions & Answers
What medication affects Lamictal? - SOLVED ANSWER-OCPs decrease the effects of
this drug, so the dose must be doubled
Can valproate (Depakote) be used during pregnancy? - SOLVED 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? - SOLVED
ANSWER-hypothyroidism
Anti-depressant that is to be used with caution in cardiac patients due to behaving like
class 1 anti-arrythmics? - SOLVED ANSWER-TCAs
TCA side effects are mainly of what type? - SOLVED ANSWER-Anti-cholinergic
What is a first-line antidepressant in children? - SOLVED ANSWER-fluoxetine (Prozac)
How do you discontinue an SSRI? - SOLVED ANSWER-Taper by reducing the dose by
50% for 3-4 days
When are MAOIs effective? - SOLVED ANSWER-In atypical depression or Parkinson's
Why are MAOIs reserved for last line of treatment? - SOLVED ANSWER-Lethal drug
interactions and food interactions
,How long before starting a new antidepressant after MAOIs? - SOLVED ANSWER-At
least 2 weeks to clear it from system
What are high tyramine foods and when are they contraindicated? - SOLVED
ANSWER-Fermented foods; aged cheese, wine alcohol
Contraindicated with MAOI use
Important drug interaction and side effect with MAOIs? - SOLVED ANSWER-Avoid
other serotonin drugs and watch for hypertensive crisis
What anti-depressant may have sleep issues if taken at night? - SOLVED ANSWER-
fluoxetine (Prozac) (SSRI)
How do SSRIs work? - SOLVED ANSWER-They block the reuptake of serotonin at the
synaptic cleft so there is more serotonin around
How are sexual side effects linked to SSRIs? - SOLVED ANSWER-Sexual side effects
may start after 1 month; especially common in Paxil
How long does it take for SSRIs to work? - SOLVED ANSWER-2-6 weeks; usually
within 4 weeks; some symptoms may improve within 1 to 2 weeks
What medication is a seroternergic 5-ht receptor partial agonist (partial alpha 1 receptor
agonist)? - SOLVED ANSWER-buspirone (Buspar)
What is special about buspirone (Buspar)? - SOLVED ANSWER-It has both anti-anxiety
and anti-depressant effects.
, How is treatment with buspirone (Buspar) usually conducted? - SOLVED ANSWER-Can
be combined with an SSRI to treat patients with agitated or anxious depression
Benzodiazepines affect what neurotransmitter and how? - SOLVED ANSWER-
Increases the effects of GABA
What medications results in a sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, and muscle relaxer effect? -
SOLVED ANSWER-Benzodiazepines
What anxiolytic has the greatest risk for dependence and resistance? - SOLVED
ANSWER-alprazolam (Xanax)
What anxiolytic is first line treatment for panic disorder? - SOLVED ANSWER-diazepam
(Valium)
What are characteristics of serotonin syndrome? - SOLVED ANSWER-nausea,
diarrhea, sweating, hyperthermia, myoclonic jerking, tremor, agitation, disorientation,
HTN, delirium, death
What medication is approved for depression with low energy? - SOLVED ANSWER-
venlafaxine (Effexor) (SNRI)
How does Lithium act as a mood stabilizer? - SOLVED ANSWER-It replaces sodium
during depolarization so it stops the transmission of electrical impulses
What is important patient teaching for Lithium? - SOLVED ANSWER-Eat a diet with
consistent levels of salt because the medication can interfere with the cell sodium
channels
