Psychopharm Quiz

Which is a side effect of an SSRI:

When used in combination with anxiolytic medication, alcohol leads to _____________ effects, and caffeine leads to
_______________ effects.

A client was recently admitted to the inpatient unit after a suicide attempt. He has been placed on a tricyclic
antidepressant. In terms of medication, what steps should be taken to maintain the client's safety when he is discharged?

A client was recently admitted to the inpatient unit after a suicide attempt and has not responded to SSRIs or tricyclic
antidepressants. The client asks the nurse, "I heard about monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Why can't they be added to what I am on now? Wouldn't adding one help?" Which is the appropriate nursing response?

"Weight gain is a common, but troubling side effect. Let's talk about some strategies for safely improving your nutrition and exercise habits."

The nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and takes an antipsychotic agent daily. Which
finding requires further nursing assessment?

An aging client with chronic schizophrenia takes a beta-adrenergic blocking agent (propranolol) for hypertension and
an antipsychotic. Given the combined side effects of these drugs, what teaching should the nurse provide?

A client with depression and substance abuse has an interrupted sleep pattern. She demands that her psychiatrist prescribe her a sedative. What teaching would the nurse provide about the rationale for the use of nonpharmacological interventions instead?

Which statement about the tricyclic group of antidepressant medications is accurate?

A client was admitted with major depression that was a single episode and moderate. During her stay, she was started
on Prozac (fluoxetine) at 40 mg orally every day. The nurse's discharge teaching should include all of the following except:

In the treatment of anxiety disorders, benzodiazepines (such as Ativan and Xanax) are indicated for_________ use and have__________ abuse potential.

Which medication does not require periodic blood-level monitoring?

As part of discharge teaching, which guideline regarding lithium therapy will the nurse plan to include?

A client with schizophrenia has recently begun a new medication, clozapine (Clozaril). Which potentially fatal side
effect will the nurse teach the client about?

A client with schizophrenia has recently begun a new medication, clozapine (Clozaril). Which signs and symptoms of a
potentially fatal side effect will the nurse teach the client about?

A client with schizophrenia has recently begun a new medication, clozapine (Clozaril). Which blood cell counts would
reveal a potentially fatal side effect of this medication?

A psychiatrist prescribes a MAOI for a client. When teaching the client about the effects of tyramine, which foods will
the nurse caution the client to avoid?

A client has been diagnosed with major depression and is prescribed imipramine (Tofranil). What information
specifically related to this class of antidepressants will the nurse plan to include in client and family education?

Which information suggests that caution is necessary in prescribing a benzodiazepine to an anxious client?

Which medication is most likely to be prescribed for the extrapyramidal side effects of antipsychotic medications?

A client takes a maintenance dosage of lithium carbonate for a bipolar disorder. She has come to the community health clinic, stating that she "has had the flu for over a week." She describes her symptoms as coughing, runny nose, chest congestion, fever, and gastrointestinal upset. Her temperature is 100.9°F. What situation does the nurse anticipate?

Joey, age 8 years, takes methylphenidate (Ritalin) for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. His mother complains to
the nurse that Joey has a very poor appetite, and she struggles to help him gain weight. What teaching will the nurse provide?

A client is experiencing a psychotic episode. He is in good physical health but has allergies to penicillin,
prochlorperazine (Compazine), and bee stings. Which antipsychotic medication would be contraindicated for the client?

A physician prescribes an additional medication for a client taking an antipsychotic agent. The medication is to be
administered "prn for EPS." When will the nurse plan to give this medication?

A client is diagnosed with anxiety disorder. Which medication is prescribed for anxiety?

The nurse is preparing to assess a client before the physician prescribes a regimen of psychopharmacological therapy.
Which components will the nurse assess?