Free Analgesics and CNS Drugs MCQs with Answers
50 Analgesics and CNS Drugs MCQs from Nursing Pharmacology, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
This area covers opioid and non-opioid analgesics, local anaesthetics, sedatives, anxiolytics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiepileptics and drugs for Parkinsonism. It examines therapeutic actions, dependence, respiratory depression, extrapyramidal effects, serotonin related toxicity and the distinction between pain relief, sedation and loss of consciousness.
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50 questions · page 1 of 3
- A. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute
- B. Mild nausea after the injection
- C. Pain score decreasing from 8 to 5
- D. Slight drowsiness while resting
Explanation: A respiratory rate of 8 suggests opioid-induced respiratory depression, which threatens breathing and requires immediate assessment and…
Correct answer: Respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute- A. Naloxone
- B. Flumazenil
- C. Atropine
- D. Protamine
Explanation: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid-related respiratory and central nervous system depression.
Correct answer: Naloxone- A. Serotonin syndrome
- B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- C. Opioid withdrawal
- D. Anticholinergic toxicity
Explanation: The combination of mental status change, autonomic stimulation, gastrointestinal symptoms and neuromuscular activity suggests serotonin…
Correct answer: Serotonin syndrome- A. Rise slowly from sitting or lying positions
- B. Stop the medicine when pain first improves
- C. Take extra tablets for sudden severe pain
- D. Expect increased saliva after each dose
Explanation: Amitriptyline can cause postural hypotension, so rising slowly helps prevent dizziness and falls.
Correct answer: Rise slowly from sitting or lying positions- A. Tingling around the mouth and ringing in the ears
- B. Mild warmth at the injection site
- C. Reduced sensation around the wound
- D. Temporary inability to feel pain
Explanation: Perioral tingling and tinnitus are early neurological signs of systemic local anaesthetic toxicity and should be reported promptly.
Correct answer: Tingling around the mouth and ringing in the ears- A. I will avoid alcohol while taking this medicine
- B. I can drive safely if I feel slightly sleepy
- C. I should stop it suddenly after long-term use
- D. I can take extra doses for faster anxiety relief
Explanation: Alcohol and diazepam have additive central nervous system depressant effects and may cause dangerous sedation and respiratory depression.
Correct answer: I will avoid alcohol while taking this medicine- A. Report the acute dystonic reaction promptly
- B. Encourage the patient to walk in the corridor
- C. Give the next dose with an antacid
- D. Place the patient in a dark quiet room
Explanation: Acute dystonia is an extrapyramidal reaction caused by dopamine blockade and may affect the neck or airway muscles.
Correct answer: Report the acute dystonic reaction promptly- A. Analgesia reduces pain, while sedation reduces alertness
- B. Analgesia causes unconsciousness, while sedation removes pain
- C. Analgesia prevents all movement, while sedation lowers fever
- D. Analgesia produces paralysis, while sedation blocks nerve growth
Explanation: Analgesia is relief of pain, whereas sedation decreases alertness and anxiety without necessarily removing pain.
Correct answer: Analgesia reduces pain, while sedation reduces alertness- A. Protect the airway and call for emergency help
- B. Place a spoon between the patient's teeth
- C. Restrain the arms and legs firmly
- D. Offer water after the seizure begins
Explanation: A prolonged seizure threatens airway, breathing and circulation, so the nurse protects the airway, removes hazards and obtains emergency…
Correct answer: Protect the airway and call for emergency help- A. Report the dyskinesia for medication review
- B. Tell the patient to stop levodopa immediately
- C. Explain that the movement proves the disease is cured
- D. Give an additional dose to suppress the movement
Explanation: Involuntary writhing movements can be levodopa-related dyskinesias and require assessment and possible dose or timing adjustment by the…
Correct answer: Report the dyskinesia for medication review11. A patient has taken a toxic amount of paracetamol. Which medicine is used as the specific antidote?
- A. Flumazenil
- B. N-acetylcysteine
- C. Naloxone
- D. Protamine sulfate
Explanation: N-acetylcysteine replenishes hepatic glutathione and reduces liver injury after paracetamol overdose.
Correct answer: N-acetylcysteine12. A patient takes ibuprofen regularly for arthritis. Which finding should the nurse report promptly?
- A. Mild daytime drowsiness
- B. Black, tarry stools
- C. Increased appetite
- D. Clear nasal discharge
Explanation: Black, tarry stools may indicate upper gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious adverse effect of NSAIDs.
Correct answer: Black, tarry stools- A. They block voltage-gated sodium channels
- B. They increase dopamine release in the brain
- C. They stimulate opioid receptors in the spinal cord
- D. They inhibit acetylcholinesterase at synapses
Explanation: Local anaesthetics block voltage-gated sodium channels and prevent action potential transmission in sensory nerves.
Correct answer: They block voltage-gated sodium channels- A. It produces analgesia without affecting alertness
- B. It reduces anxiety and causes central nervous system depression
- C. It causes general anaesthesia with complete unconsciousness
- D. It increases alertness by stimulating the cerebral cortex
Explanation: Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of GABA and produce anxiolysis, sedation, muscle relaxation and anticonvulsant effects.
Correct answer: It reduces anxiety and causes central nervous system depression- A. Fresh apples
- B. Aged cheese
- C. Boiled rice
- D. Steamed carrots
Explanation: Aged cheese contains high levels of tyramine, which can cause a hypertensive reaction with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Correct answer: Aged cheese16. A patient begins fluoxetine for depression. Which statement about the expected response is correct?
- A. Mood usually improves after the first dose
- B. The full antidepressant effect may take several weeks
- C. The medicine works only when taken during sadness
- D. The medicine should be stopped once sleep improves
Explanation: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors usually require several weeks for their full antidepressant effect.
Correct answer: The full antidepressant effect may take several weeks- A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- B. Tardive dyskinesia
- C. Acute panic attack
- D. Simple medication tolerance
Explanation: Fever, severe rigidity, altered consciousness and autonomic instability suggest neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which is a medical…
Correct answer: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome- A. Give the next dose with food
- B. Report the symptoms promptly for assessment
- C. Encourage strenuous exercise
- D. Reassure the patient that this is harmless
Explanation: Severe abdominal pain and vomiting may indicate acute pancreatitis, a serious adverse effect of sodium valproate.
Correct answer: Report the symptoms promptly for assessment- A. Possible blood dyscrasia
- B. Expected improvement in appetite
- C. Mild opioid withdrawal
- D. Normal therapeutic response
Explanation: Fever, sore throat and mouth ulcers may indicate leukopenia or agranulocytosis, which can occur with carbamazepine.
Correct answer: Possible blood dyscrasia- A. It blocks dopamine receptors in the basal ganglia
- B. It reduces peripheral conversion of levodopa to dopamine
- C. It prevents all involuntary movements caused by levodopa
- D. It directly replaces acetylcholine in skeletal muscle
Explanation: Carbidopa inhibits peripheral conversion of levodopa to dopamine, allowing more levodopa to reach the brain and reducing peripheral…
Correct answer: It reduces peripheral conversion of levodopa to dopamineAnalgesics and CNS Drugs MCQs: common questions
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