NURS 320 EXAM 3 PHARM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Use: Phenytoin (Dilantin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅prevention of seizures, epilepsy
Action: Phenytoin (Dilantin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Prevents nerves to open their sodium channel
quickly (slow nerves down)
Labs: Phenytoin (Dilantin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Routine lab draws, Teratogenic: Use second form of
BC, Therapeutic range: 10-20 mcg/ml
S/E and A/E: Phenytoin (Dilantin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅S/E: Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, GI
distress, Gingival Hyperplasia, Rash
A/E: in textbook: depression, suicidal ideation
Patient Education: Phenytoin (Dilantin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Pregnant women should be on 2 forms
of birth control when on this drug
Use: Levodopa-Carbidopa - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Parkinson's disease
Action: Levodopa-Carbidopa - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Increase dopamine levels "inactive form of
dopamine"
Dietary Restrictions: Levodopa-Carbidopa - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Avoid high protein meals while
swallowing the pill
Labs: Levodopa-Carbidopa - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Wait 2-3 months to determine effectiveness of drug
S/E and A/E: Levodopa-Carbidopa - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅N/V
Movement disorders (dyskinesia: moving shoulder a lot or twitchy) Dysrhythmias
, Postural Hypotension
Psychologic disorders (night terrors/hallucinations): early sign of Parkinson disease or dementia for night
terrors every night
Action: Methylphenidate (Ritalin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅prevents dopamine and norepinephrine from
leaving the brain during the day to keep brain awake and help nerves communicate with each other
again
Use: Methylphenidate (Ritalin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅ADHD and narcolepsy
S/E: Methylphenidate (Ritalin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅tachycardia, palpitations, HTN, dysrhythmias,
restlessness, irritability, euphoria, confusion, insomnia, anorexia, weight loss
Patient education: Methylphenidate (Ritalin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Take after eating, last dose should
be taken no later than 4-5pm, avoid caffeine, take drug holidays to avoid dependence/abuse
Use: Haloperidol (Haldol) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Schizophrenia, acute psychosis, Tourette's Syndrome
Action: Haloperidol (Haldol) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅blocks dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine
Labs: Haloperidol (Haldol) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅ECG; watch the rhythm and lead to bad dysrhythmia
S/E and A/E: Haloperidol (Haldol) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Extrapyramidal reactions --> Tardive
dyskinesia
Prolonged QT: causes V tach or V fib
Nursing implications: Haloperidol (Haldol) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅high potency drug = more S/E
Switch to a 2nd gen drug if extrapyramidal reactions happen
Could be used in IV dose, threat to themselves or to you use it
ANSWERS
Use: Phenytoin (Dilantin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅prevention of seizures, epilepsy
Action: Phenytoin (Dilantin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Prevents nerves to open their sodium channel
quickly (slow nerves down)
Labs: Phenytoin (Dilantin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Routine lab draws, Teratogenic: Use second form of
BC, Therapeutic range: 10-20 mcg/ml
S/E and A/E: Phenytoin (Dilantin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅S/E: Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, GI
distress, Gingival Hyperplasia, Rash
A/E: in textbook: depression, suicidal ideation
Patient Education: Phenytoin (Dilantin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Pregnant women should be on 2 forms
of birth control when on this drug
Use: Levodopa-Carbidopa - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Parkinson's disease
Action: Levodopa-Carbidopa - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Increase dopamine levels "inactive form of
dopamine"
Dietary Restrictions: Levodopa-Carbidopa - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Avoid high protein meals while
swallowing the pill
Labs: Levodopa-Carbidopa - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Wait 2-3 months to determine effectiveness of drug
S/E and A/E: Levodopa-Carbidopa - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅N/V
Movement disorders (dyskinesia: moving shoulder a lot or twitchy) Dysrhythmias
, Postural Hypotension
Psychologic disorders (night terrors/hallucinations): early sign of Parkinson disease or dementia for night
terrors every night
Action: Methylphenidate (Ritalin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅prevents dopamine and norepinephrine from
leaving the brain during the day to keep brain awake and help nerves communicate with each other
again
Use: Methylphenidate (Ritalin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅ADHD and narcolepsy
S/E: Methylphenidate (Ritalin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅tachycardia, palpitations, HTN, dysrhythmias,
restlessness, irritability, euphoria, confusion, insomnia, anorexia, weight loss
Patient education: Methylphenidate (Ritalin) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Take after eating, last dose should
be taken no later than 4-5pm, avoid caffeine, take drug holidays to avoid dependence/abuse
Use: Haloperidol (Haldol) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Schizophrenia, acute psychosis, Tourette's Syndrome
Action: Haloperidol (Haldol) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅blocks dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine
Labs: Haloperidol (Haldol) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅ECG; watch the rhythm and lead to bad dysrhythmia
S/E and A/E: Haloperidol (Haldol) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Extrapyramidal reactions --> Tardive
dyskinesia
Prolonged QT: causes V tach or V fib
Nursing implications: Haloperidol (Haldol) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅high potency drug = more S/E
Switch to a 2nd gen drug if extrapyramidal reactions happen
Could be used in IV dose, threat to themselves or to you use it
