Question 1

Explain how the different classes of drugs to treat seizures and epilepsy work.

Accepted Answer

Succinimides delay calcium entry into neurons, prolonging the threshold of the impulse; when the nerve is busy firing, it cannot misfire; hydantoins inhibit the influx of sodium ions thereby stopping some impulses from starting; benzodiazepines and barbiturates act like the neurotransmitter GABA by stimulating an influx of chloride ions, which stop the impulse and reduce misfiring.

Question 2

An epileptic patient may discontinue their medication at any time without side effects.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

The patient taking phenytoin asks the pharmacist what the side effects of the drug are. What should the pharmacist include in the response? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Accepted Answer

A)  Bradycardia 
B)  Hyperglycemia 
C)  Stevens-Johnson syndrome 
D)  Hypoglycemia 
E)  Tachycardia 
A)  Bradycardia 
B)  Hyperglycemia 
C)  Stevens-Johnson syndrome 
D)  Hypoglycemia 
E)  Tachycardia A,B,C

Question 4

The patient is being admitted to the labor and delivery unit. The patient informs the nurse she has had high blood pressure since week 32 of this pregnancy. Upon assessment, the nurse finds edema. The patient relates that she has an occasional headache. Before the nurse leaves the room, the patient begins to have a seizure. What pregnancy disorder is this patient experiencing?

Accepted Answer

A)  HELLP 
B)  Pre-eclampsia 
C)  Eclampsia 
D)  Posteclampsia 
A)  HELLP 
B)  Pre-eclampsia 
C)  Eclampsia 
D)  Posteclampsia

Question 5

The pharmacist is teaching a patient about medications for seizures. Which items should be included in this teaching? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Accepted Answer

A)  If seizure activity continues, a different medication is added in small-dose increments while the dose of the first drug is slowly reduced. 
B)  The amount is gradually increased until seizure control is achieved, or until drug adverse effects prevent additional increases in dose. 
C)  Once a medication is selected, the patient is placed on a low initial dose. 
D)  Seizure medication will be stopped when the seizures have been gone for a month. 
E)  Seizure medications will be required for the rest of your life. 
A)  If seizure activity continues, a different medication is added in small-dose increments while the dose of the first drug is slowly reduced. 
B)  The amount is gradually increased until seizure control is achieved, or until drug adverse effects prevent additional increases in dose. 
C)  Once a medication is selected, the patient is placed on a low initial dose. 
D)  Seizure medication will be stopped when the seizures have been gone for a month. 
E)  Seizure medications will be required for the rest of your life.

Question 6

The pharmacist is preparing a presentation about antiseizure medications. The pharmacist plans to include the general mechanisms of actions for these medications. Which items would be appropriate to include? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Accepted Answer

A)  Delaying an influx of sodium ions 
B)  Stimulating an influx of chloride ions, an effect associated with the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GAB
A)  
C)  Increasing the neuronal firing in the brain 
D)  Delaying an influx of calcium ions 
E)  Increasing an influx of potassium ions 
A)  Delaying an influx of sodium ions 
B)  Stimulating an influx of chloride ions, an effect associated with the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GAB
A)  
C)  Increasing the neuronal firing in the brain 
D)  Delaying an influx of calcium ions 
E)  Increasing an influx of potassium ions

Question 7

A disorder of electrical activity in the brain resulting in the occurrence of periods of unconsciousness, seizures and convulsions is called epilepsy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

List the known causes of seizures.

Accepted Answer

The following are known causes

Question 9

The pharmacist is caring for a patient with absence seizures. Which medication would be appropriate to treat absence seizures?

Accepted Answer

A)  Carbamazepine 
B)  Pregabalin 
C)  Valproic acid 
D)  Gabapentin 
A)  Carbamazepine 
B)  Pregabalin 
C)  Valproic acid 
D)  Gabapentin

Question 10

If the neuronal threshold is elevated, nerves cannot misfire and cause seizures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Hydantoins, by increasing the influx of sodium ions, decrease neuronal activity and seizures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

A patient with a history of seizures is taking phenytoin. Based on this medication prescription, what is the patient at an increased risk for developing?

Accepted Answer

A)  Weight gain 
B)  Back pain 
C)  Headaches 
D)  Constipation 
A)  Weight gain 
B)  Back pain 
C)  Headaches 
D)  Constipation

Question 13

In order to monitor the effectiveness of drug therapy in a patient with seizures, what should the pharmacist teach the patient to do? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Accepted Answer

A)  Take double doses. 
B)  Take medications as ordered. 
C)  Make up skipped doses 
D)  Keep a diary of seizure activity. 
E)  Keep a normal sleep-wake schedule 
A)  Take double doses. 
B)  Take medications as ordered. 
C)  Make up skipped doses 
D)  Keep a diary of seizure activity. 
E)  Keep a normal sleep-wake schedule

Question 14

Explain the statement: All convulsions are seizures but not all seizures are convulsions.

Accepted Answer

A convulsion is the uncontrolled muscle

Question 15

The goal of anti-seizure medication is to completely suppress neuronal activity in the brain.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Extreme metabolic shifts may cause seizures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Clients with epilepsy may appear normal and asymptomatic.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 12: Drugs for Seizures

Explain how the different classes of drugs to treat seizures and epilepsy work.

An epileptic patient may discontinue their medication at any time without side effects.

The patient taking phenytoin asks the pharmacist what the side effects of the drug are. What should the pharmacist include in the response? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

The pharmacist is teaching a patient about medications for seizures. Which items should be included in this teaching? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

A disorder of electrical activity in the brain resulting in the occurrence of periods of unconsciousness, seizures and convulsions is called epilepsy.

List the known causes of seizures.

The pharmacist is caring for a patient with absence seizures. Which medication would be appropriate to treat absence seizures?

If the neuronal threshold is elevated, nerves cannot misfire and cause seizures.

Hydantoins, by increasing the influx of sodium ions, decrease neuronal activity and seizures.

A patient with a history of seizures is taking phenytoin. Based on this medication prescription, what is the patient at an increased risk for developing?

In order to monitor the effectiveness of drug therapy in a patient with seizures, what should the pharmacist teach the patient to do? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Explain the statement: All convulsions are seizures but not all seizures are convulsions.

The goal of anti-seizure medication is to completely suppress neuronal activity in the brain.

Extreme metabolic shifts may cause seizures.

Clients with epilepsy may appear normal and asymptomatic.

The Practice of Pharmacy

Drug Classification, Regulation, and Approval

Drug Forms and Routes of Drug Administration

Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacodynamics

Substance Abuse

Using Drug References

Drugs for Disorders Associated With the Autonomic Nervous System

Drugs for Anxiety, Daytime Sedation, and Insomnia

Drugs for Emotional, Behavioural, and Mood Disorders

Drugs for Psychoses and Degenerative Diseases

Drugs for the Control of Pain and Fever

Drugs for Local and General Anaesthesia

Drugs for Coagulation Disorders

Drugs for Hypertension

Drugs for Heart Failure

Drugs for Dysrhythmias

Drugs for Chest Pain, Myocardial Infraction, and Stroke

Drugs for Lipid Disorders

Drugs for Shock and Anaphylaxis

Drugs for Kidney, Acid-Base, and Electrolyte Disorders

Drugs for Bacterial Infections

Drugs for Fungal, Viral, and Parasitic Diseases

Drugs for Neoplasia

Drugs for Respiratory Disorders

Drugs for Immune System Modulation

Drugs for Eye and Ear Disorders

Drugs for Gastrointestinal Disorders

Vitamins, Minerals, and Nutritional Supplments

Drugs for Muscle Spasm and Bone Disorder

Drugs for Skin Disorders

Drugs for Endocrine Disorders

Drugs for Disorders and Conditions of the Reproductive System

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