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 3 of 3
- A. Repeat the opioid dose immediately
- B. Monitor for recurrent respiratory depression
- C. Encourage the patient to walk alone
- D. Give a sedative to reduce distress
Explanation: Naloxone may wear off before some opioids, so respiratory depression can return and requires close monitoring.
Correct answer: Monitor for recurrent respiratory depression- A. Ethosuximide
- B. Phenytoin
- C. Phenobarbital
- D. Carbamazepine
Explanation: Ethosuximide is commonly used for typical absence seizures because it suppresses the abnormal thalamic electrical activity.
Correct answer: Ethosuximide- A. Chew food on the numb side
- B. Test hot drinks before swallowing
- C. Avoid biting the cheek or tongue
- D. Massage the numb area firmly
Explanation: Loss of sensation can cause accidental biting or burns, so the patient should avoid chewing and hot drinks until sensation returns.
Correct answer: Avoid biting the cheek or tongue- A. Severe hypoglycaemia
- B. Weight gain and raised blood glucose
- C. Permanent hearing loss
- D. Markedly reduced appetite
Explanation: Atypical antipsychotics may cause weight gain, dyslipidaemia and hyperglycaemia, so weight and metabolic findings need monitoring.
Correct answer: Weight gain and raised blood glucose- A. Increased prolactin concentration
- B. Reduced thyroid hormone release
- C. Excess insulin secretion
- D. Increased acetylcholine activity
Explanation: Dopamine blockade in the tuberoinfundibular pathway can increase prolactin, causing galactorrhoea, breast enlargement and menstrual…
Correct answer: Increased prolactin concentration- A. Sedation always causes complete unconsciousness
- B. General anaesthesia preserves protective reflexes
- C. Sedation may preserve purposeful responses
- D. General anaesthesia causes pain but no anxiety
Explanation: During sedation, the patient may remain responsive and retain protective reflexes, depending on its depth.
Correct answer: Sedation may preserve purposeful responses- A. Take both together to improve sleep
- B. Avoid alcohol while taking the medicine
- C. Stop the medicine suddenly when calm
- D. Double the dose after a stressful day
Explanation: Alcohol adds to benzodiazepine sedation and can cause dangerous respiratory depression, impaired coordination and accidents.
Correct answer: Avoid alcohol while taking the medicine- A. Ibuprofen
- B. Morphine
- C. Lidocaine
- D. Diazepam
Explanation: Ibuprofen is a non-opioid NSAID that reduces pain, inflammation and fever by inhibiting prostaglandin production.
Correct answer: Ibuprofen- A. Leave the patient alone to promote rest
- B. Assess immediate safety and suicidal intent
- C. Tell the patient the thoughts are expected
- D. Stop every medicine without consultation
Explanation: New suicidal thoughts require immediate safety assessment, observation and timely communication with the prescriber or mental health team.
Correct answer: Assess immediate safety and suicidal intent- A. Give the next dose with extra water
- B. Withhold lithium and notify the prescriber
- C. Administer an additional sedative medicine
- D. Encourage a low-sodium diet immediately
Explanation: These findings suggest lithium toxicity, which can worsen as diarrhoea and dehydration increase lithium concentration.
Correct answer: Withhold lithium and notify the prescriber