Chapter 12: Central Nervous System Depressants and Muscle Relaxants

Chapter 12: Central Nervous System Depressants and Muscle Relaxants

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A patient who has received some traumatic news is panicking and asks for some medication to help settle down. The nurse anticipates giving which drug that is most appropriate for this situation?

a.	Diazepam (Valium)
b.	Zolpidem (Ambien)
c.	Phenobarbital
d.	Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)

 

 

ANS:  A

Benzodiazepines such as diazepam are used as anxiolytics, or sedatives. Zolpidem is used as a hypnotic for sleep. Phenobarbital is not used as an anxiolytic but is used for seizure control. Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant and is not used to reduce anxiety.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application)                  REF:   p. 191

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Planning

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

2. A patient has been taking phenobarbital for 2 weeks as part of his therapy for epilepsy. He tells the nurse that he feels tense and that “the least little thing” bothers him now. Which is the correct explanation for this problem?

a.	These are adverse effects that usually subside after a few weeks.
b.	The drug must be stopped immediately because of possible adverse effects.
c.	This drug causes the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep period to increase, resulting in nightmares and restlessness.
d.	This drug causes deprivation of REM sleep and may cause the inability to deal with normal stress.

 

 

ANS:  D

Barbiturates such as phenobarbital deprive people of REM sleep, which can result in agitation and the inability to deal with normal stress. A rebound phenomenon occurs when the drug is stopped (not during therapy), and the proportion of REM sleep increases, sometimes resulting in nightmares. The other options are incorrect.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension)    REF:   p. 194

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Evaluation

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort

 

3. A 50-year-old man who has been taking phenobarbital for 1 week is found very lethargic and unable to walk after eating out for dinner. His wife states that he has no other prescriptions and that he did not take an overdose—the correct number of pills is in the bottle. The nurse suspects that which of these may have happened?

a.	He took a multivitamin.
b.	He drank a glass of wine.
c.	He took a dose of aspirin.
d.	He developed an allergy to the drug.

 

 

ANS:  B

Alcohol has an additive effect when combined with barbiturates and causes central nervous system (CNS) depression. Multivitamins and aspirin do not interact with barbiturates, and this situation does not illustrate an allergic reaction.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application)                  REF:   p. 195

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

4. A patient has been taking temazepam (Restoril) for intermittent insomnia. She calls the nurse to say that when she takes it, she sleeps well, but the next day she feels “so tired.” Which explanation by the nurse is correct?

a.	“Long-term use of this drug results in a sedative effect.”
b.	“If you take the drug every night, this hangover effect will be reduced.”
c.	“These drugs affect the sleep cycle, resulting in daytime sleepiness.”
d.	“These drugs increase the activity of the central nervous system, making you tired the next day.”

 

 

ANS:  C

Benzodiazepines suppress REM sleep to a degree (although not as much as barbiturates) and, thus, result in daytime sleepiness (a hangover effect). The other statements are incorrect.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application)                  REF:   p. 191

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Implementation

MSC:   NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation