Deck 12: Introduction to Psychotropic Drugs

Question 1

A patient taking a psychotropic medication reports, "This medicine isn't working right for me.It's causing side effects." Select the nurse's best comment to further assess the scenario.

A) "Has the drug caused diaphoresis?"
B) "Have you experienced urinary retention?"
C) "Are you experiencing episodes of tachycardia?"
D) "Tell me more about how the medication is affecting you."

Answer 1

"Tell me more about how the medication is affecting you."

Question 2

An outpatient diagnosed with schizophrenia has been omitting doses of medication.Which questions should the clinic nurse ask to determine the reasons for the problem? (Select all that apply.)

A) "Are you experiencing any troublesome side effects?"
B) "Is the medicine affecting your sexual performance?"
C) "Does the medicine make you think slower?"
D) "Do you believe your dose is too low?"
E) "Do you believe you have an illness?"

Answer 2

"Are you experiencing any troublesome side effects?"
"Is the medicine affecting your sexual performance?"
"Does the medicine make you think slower?"
"Do you believe your dose is too low?"
"Do you believe you have an illness?"

Question 3

Which historical event marked the beginning of the evolution of psychotropic medications?

A) The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) classification of antidepressants was developed.
B) Lithium was discovered in Australia.
C) Clozapine, the first atypical antipsychotic drug, was marketed in the United States.
D) Chlorpromazine, the first antipsychotic, is "discovered" in France.

Answer 3

Lithium was discovered in Australia.

Question 4

A patient takes a psychotropic medication that affects acetylcholine receptors.The patient reports dry mouth and constipation.What effect is the drug having on the acetylcholine receptors?

A) Activation
B) Antagonism
C) Stimulation
D) Paradoxical

Question 5

A week after beginning fluoxetine, a patient reports, "I still feel so depressed all the time." Based on knowledge of the medication's pharmacodynamics, what is the nurse's most effective intervention?

A) Administering the medication when the patient's stomach is empty
B) Advising the health care provider that the drug is ineffective.
C) Reassessing the expected outcomes of antidepressant therapy
D) Educating the patient that the drug needs more time to be effective

Question 6

A nurse administering a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant should carefully observe the patient for symptoms related to what possible reaction?

A) Dopamine excess
B) Decreased GABA level
C) Increased serotonin level
D) Decreased acetylcholine level

Question 7

Which patient would be most at risk for adverse reactions when administered a highly protein bound medication?

A) A healthy adolescent
B) A 76-year-old patient with malnutrition
C) A woman in the second trimester of pregnancy
D) An adult with a fractured femur from a sporting accident

Question 8

The parent of a teen diagnosed with schizophrenia asks, "What is the most likely factor causing this disorder?" The nurse's reply would be based on understanding?

A) Glutamate is present in higher than normal quantities resulting in the observable symptoms.
B) There is a decrease in norepinephrine causing the basic symptoms.
C) There is an increase in dopamine resulting in the classic symptoms.
D) A decrease in GABA causes the psychotic symptoms.

Question 9

The primary mechanisms of action of certain antidepressants result from neurotransmitter inactivation by enzyme-based metabolism and what other event?

A) Electrochemical stimulation
B) Stimulation of natural precursors
C) Extraction of precursors from the bloodstream
D) Reuptake into the presynaptic storage vesicles

Question 10

What information should the nurse include in patient teaching about psychotropic medication? (Select all that apply.)

A) Drug pharmacokinetics
B) Common drug interactions
C) Management of common side effects
D) Descriptive list of possible adverse effects
E) Information regarding cost of the medications prescribed

Question 11

A patient takes a psychotropic medication that affects serotonin receptors.The patient complains of anxiety, insomnia, and loss of appetite.What effect is the drug having on the serotonin receptors?

A) Activation
B) Antagonism
C) Paradoxical
D) Inhibition

Question 12

What is a realistic patient-focused outcome of patient teaching regarding psychotropic medications?

A) Understanding physiologic responses to drug therapy
B) Assessing effectiveness of prescribed drugs in controlling symptoms
C) Describing onset, peak, and duration of action of each drug prescribed.
D) Stating the purpose, dose, and significant side effects of each drug prescribed.

Question 13

Bearing in mind the function of the blood-brain barrier, what is the danger associated with administering large doses of water-soluble drugs?

A) Rapid development of tolerance
B) High risk of adverse systemic effects
C) Liver's inability to metabolize water-soluble drugs
D) Rapid passage into the brain increasing the risk of overdose

Question 14

When discussing treatment of an aggressive patient diagnosed with psychosis, a health care provider says, "I plan to prescribe the original antipsychotic drug." Which medication is relevant to the statement?

A) Paroxetine
B) Clozapine
C) Imipramine
D) Chlorpromazine

Question 15

Studies demonstrate the need to focus on what nursing diagnosis to support the psychiatric patients' understanding of psychopharmacology?

A) Deficient knowledge related to drug therapy
B) Impaired memory related to drug side effects
C) Impaired decision-making related to drug dependency
D) Disturbed thought processes related to anticipation of side effects

Question 16

Bioavailability of orally administered drugs is initially associated with which physiologic phenomenon?

A) Rate of renal excretion
B) First-pass metabolism
C) Synaptic transmission
D) Blood-brain barrier

Question 17

A novice nurse asks, "What is the role of psychopharmacology in the psychotherapeutic management model?" What response should the mentor provide concerning the role of psychopharmacology?

A) Making it possible to use the least restrictive treatment alternatives.
B) Preventing violence against nurses and family members.
C) Assisting in the identification and achievement of desirable outcomes.
D) Facilitating in the determination of the responsible psychopathology.

Question 18

A patient takes a psychotropic medication that affects norepinephrine receptors.The patient reports, "It feels like my heart is pounding in my chest." What effect is the drug having on the norepinephrine receptors?

A) Inhibition
B) Activation
C) Paradoxical
D) Antagonism

Question 19

A nurse assesses a newly hospitalized patient with a long history of serious and persistent mental illness.What is the priority assessment information should the nurse obtain to minimize any risk associated with medication safety?

A) Adverse reactions to drugs taken previously
B) History of drug compliance and noncompliance
C) Level of support available from significant others
D) Length of time on various psychotropic medications

Question 20

A patient taking clozapine reports, "I get plenty of vitamin C by drinking 8 ounces of grapefruit juice each morning." How should the nurse respond?

A) "High doses of vitamin C support the immune system and general good health."
B) "Let's talk about better juice choices, because grapefruit juice can cause a bad reaction while taking clozapine."
C) "Grapefruit juice lessens the effectiveness of your medication.You might need a dosage change."
D) "New research shows papaya juice is a better source of vitamin C than grapefruit juice."