Chapter 20: Introduction to Central Nervous System Pharmacology

Chapter 20: Introduction to Central Nervous System Pharmacology

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

1. A nurse is providing education to nurses on the unit. Which statement is correct regarding the impact of prolonged central nervous system drug exposure on the central nervous system?

a.	Side and adverse effects generally increase over time.
b.	When tolerance develops, drug dosage should be decreased and eventually tapered off.
c.	These drugs usually act immediately to produce profound structural changes in the nervous system.
d.	These drugs may take some time to exert the changes that produce the desired effects.

 

 

ANS:   D

Antipsychotics and antidepressants must be taken for several weeks before full therapeutic effects are seen.

Side effects and adverse effects typically decrease over time, and tolerance may develop.

With tolerance a dose increase may be needed, for physical dependence the dose should be decreased and eventually tapered off.

These drugs do no act immediately to produce profound structural changes in the nervous system.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application             REF:    p. 181

TOP:    Nursing Process: Diagnosis

MSC:   NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

2. A nurse is providing patient education regarding the use of central nervous system drugs to a patient and is trying to explain the meaning of drug tolerance. In order to evaluate understanding, the nurse asks the patient to explain what tolerance means. The patient’s most accurate response would be

a.	there is a decreased response with prolonged use.
b.	an abstinence syndrome will occur if the drug is abruptly discontinued.
c.	the drug causes psychologic dependence.
d.	the patient has developed hypersensitivity to the drug.

 

 

ANS:   A

When tolerance develops, a dose increase may be needed as there may be a decreased response with prolonged use.

An abstinence syndrome is specific to physical withdrawal.

Physical dependence indicates that the dose should be decreased and eventually tapered off.

Hypersensitivity does not describe tolerance.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                  REF:    p. 181

TOP:    Nursing Process: Evaluation

MSC:   NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

3. A group of nurses are discussing the benefits of the blood-brain barrier, which statement made by one of the nurses regarding the blood-brain barrier demonstrates a need for further teaching?

a.	It can protect the brain from injury by potentially toxic substances.
b.	It can be a significant obstacle to entry of therapeutic agents.
c.	It is not fully developed at birth.
d.	Infants are not as sensitive to central nervous system drugs as older children and adults.

 

 

ANS:   D

Infants are much more sensitive to central nervous system drugs than older children and adults, as the blood-brain barrier is not fully developed at birth.

From a therapeutic perspective, the blood-brain barrier is a mixed blessing. On the positive side, it protects the brain from injury by potentially toxic substances. However, it also makes it difficult to treat diseases affecting the brain.

The blood-brain barrier is not fully developed at birth; no further teaching is required.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                  REF:    p. 180

TOP:    Nursing Process: Evaluation

MSC:   NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies