13- List of the most common antidotes | Pharmacology nursing (NurseInTheMaking)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqK7DfuadxU&list=PLsrJ2GPZGwJ-31cGPC_6hJD_7cvF2wvur&index=3

Correct Answer: B. Flumazenil

Explanation:
Flumazenil is the antidote for benzodiazepines, which commonly end in –zolam (e.g., alprazolam) or –zepam (e.g., diazepam). It reverses the sedative effects by blocking benzodiazepine receptors.

A nurse is caring for a patient who has overdosed on a benzodiazepine. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?

A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Vitamin K

Correct Answer: C. Digibind

Explanation:
Digibind (Digoxin immune Fab) binds to digoxin and inactivates it. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases contractility and slows heart rate, and toxicity requires this specific antidote.

A patient receiving digoxin develops signs of toxicity. Which medication is the appropriate antidote?

A. Calcium gluconate
B. Atropine
C. Digibind
D. Sodium bicarbonate

Correct Answer: B. Protamine sulfate

Explanation:
Heparin is an anticoagulant, and protamine sulfate neutralizes its effects, helping to stop bleeding.

A patient receiving a continuous heparin infusion begins bleeding excessively. Which antidote should be administered?

A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Glucagon
D. Deferoxamine

Correct Answer: C. Vitamin K

Explanation:
Warfarin inhibits vitamin K–dependent clotting factors. Vitamin K reverses warfarin’s anticoagulant effects and promotes clotting.

A patient on warfarin therapy has an elevated INR and active bleeding. Which medication reverses the effects of warfarin?

A. Protamine sulfate
B. Digibind
C. Vitamin K
D. Calcium gluconate

Correct Answer: B. Naloxone

Explanation:
Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses respiratory depression caused by opioids such as morphine and fentanyl.

A nurse suspects opioid overdose after observing pinpoint pupils and respiratory depression. Which medication should be administered immediately?

A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Glucagon
D. Atropine

Correct Answer: C. Acetylcysteine

Explanation:
Acetylcysteine (N-acetylcysteine, NAC) protects the liver by replenishing glutathione and detoxifying the toxic acetaminophen metabolite (NAPQI). It is given orally or IV, not by nebulizer for overdose treatment.

A patient overdoses on acetaminophen. Which medication is used as the antidote?

A. Sodium bicarbonate
B. Activated charcoal
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Vitamin K

Correct Answer: B. Glucagon

Explanation:
Glucagon is the antidote for beta-blocker toxicity. It increases heart rate and contractility independent of beta-adrenergic receptors.

A patient taking a beta-blocker presents with severe bradycardia and hypotension. Which antidote is appropriate?

A. Atropine
B. Glucagon
C. Naloxone
D. Calcium gluconate

Correct Answer: C. Atropine

Explanation:
Organophosphates cause cholinergic toxicity. Atropine, an anticholinergic agent, counteracts excessive acetylcholine activity.

A patient exposed to organophosphate poisoning develops excessive salivation, sweating, and bronchoconstriction. Which antidote should be given?

A. Benztropine
B. Naloxone
C. Atropine
D. Vitamin K

Correct Answer: B. Calcium gluconate

Explanation:
Calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity and is commonly kept at the bedside during magnesium infusions.

A pregnant patient receiving magnesium sulfate for pre-eclampsia shows signs of toxicity. Which medication should the nurse prepare?

A. Sodium bicarbonate
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Vitamin K
D. Glucagon

Correct Answer: C. Deferoxamine

Explanation:
Deferoxamine is a chelating agent that binds iron and promotes its excretion in urine, making it the antidote for iron toxicity.

A toddler is brought to the emergency department after ingesting iron supplements. Which antidote is indicated?

A. Digibind
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Deferoxamine
D. Acetylcysteine

Correct Answer: C. Glucagon

Explanation:
Glucagon raises blood glucose by stimulating glycogen breakdown and is used in severe hypoglycemia when the patient cannot take oral glucose.

A diabetic patient becomes unresponsive due to hypoglycemia. Which medication should be administered?

A. Insulin
B. Naloxone
C. Glucagon
D. Vitamin K

Correct Answer: C. Sodium bicarbonate

Explanation:
Aspirin has no true antidote. Sodium bicarbonate is used to alkalinize the blood and urine, enhancing salicylate excretion.

A patient overdoses on aspirin. Which intervention is essential for management?

A. Naloxone
B. Vitamin K
C. Sodium bicarbonate
D. Flumazenil

Correct Answer: B. Benztropine

Explanation:
Benztropine (Cogentin) is an anticholinergic medication used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) caused by antipsychotics.

A patient on antipsychotic medication develops muscle rigidity and tremors (EPS). Which medication treats these symptoms?

A. Atropine
B. Benztropine
C. Naloxone
D. Glucagon

Correct Answer: C. –zolam

Explanation:
Benzodiazepines commonly end in –zolam (e.g., alprazolam, midazolam) or –zepam (e.g., diazepam, lorazepam). Recognizing suffixes helps nurses quickly identify drug classes on the NCLEX.

Which medication name suffix helps the nurse identify a benzodiazepine?

A. –olol
B. –pril
C. –zolam
D. –caine

Correct Answer: C. “I should keep my vitamin K intake consistent.”

Explanation:
Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin. Sudden increases in vitamin K intake can reduce warfarin’s effectiveness, so patients must maintain consistent intake.

A patient on long-term warfarin therapy asks about diet. Which statement by the patient indicates correct understanding?

A. “I should avoid vitamin K completely.”
B. “I can eat as much vitamin K as I want.”
C. “I should keep my vitamin K intake consistent.”
D. “Vitamin K increases warfarin effectiveness.”

Correct Answer: C. Organophosphates and carbamates

Explanation:
Cholinergic toxicity is caused by organophosphates and carbamates, which increase acetylcholine levels. Atropine, an anticholinergic agent, reverses these effects.

Which substance is responsible for causing cholinergic toxicity that requires atropine as an antidote?

A. Beta-blockers
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Organophosphates and carbamates
D. Opioids

Correct Answer: C. Sodium bicarbonate alkalinizes urine to promote excretion

Explanation:
Aspirin has no true antidote. Sodium bicarbonate is used to alkalinize the blood and urine, which enhances salicylate elimination.

Which statement best describes aspirin overdose management?

A. Aspirin toxicity is reversed with naloxone
B. Aspirin has a direct antidote
C. Sodium bicarbonate alkalinizes urine to promote excretion
D. Vitamin K neutralizes aspirin

Correct Answer: B. It chelates iron for excretion

Explanation:
Deferoxamine is a chelating agent that binds iron and allows it to be excreted in the urine. It is commonly used in pediatric iron overdoses.

Which statement correctly describes deferoxamine?

A. It reverses opioid toxicity
B. It chelates iron for excretion
C. It increases clotting factors
D. It treats hypoglycemia

Correct Answer: B. It protects the liver from toxic metabolites

Explanation:
Acetylcysteine (NAC) prevents liver damage by replenishing glutathione and detoxifying NAPQI, the toxic metabolite of acetaminophen. It is given orally or IV for overdose.

Which nursing consideration is most important when administering acetylcysteine for acetaminophen overdose?

A. It is given only via nebulizer
B. It protects the liver from toxic metabolites
C. It reverses respiratory depression
D. It neutralizes gastric acid