Psychopharmacology for Psychiatric Nursing: A Comprehensive Guide

Question 1

A patient on an extended-release injection of aripiprazole misses a scheduled dose. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

Contact the prescriber for guidance

Answer

Administer the missed dose as soon as possible

Answer

Wait until the next scheduled dose

Answer

Document the missed dose and continue with the planned regimen

Question 2

A patient is experiencing extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) while taking an antipsychotic. Which medication class can be prescribed to alleviate EPS?

Accepted Answer

Anticholinergics

Answer

Antihistamines

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Answer

Beta-blockers

Question 3

Which of the following is a therapeutic goal of psychotropic medication?

Accepted Answer

To improve symptoms and enhance daily functioning

Answer

To eliminate all symptoms of mental illness

Answer

To prevent relapse of mental illness

Answer

To cure mental illness

Question 4

A patient is experiencing serotonin syndrome as a result of taking a combination of antidepressant medications. Which of the following interventions is most important?

Accepted Answer

Discontinue all medications immediately and seek medical attention

Answer

Administer benzodiazepines to calm the patient

Answer

Monitor vital signs closely

Answer

Provide supportive care and reassurance

Question 5

A patient taking an anxiolytic medication reports feeling excessively drowsy. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

Accepted Answer

Adjust the medication dosage in consultation with the prescriber

Answer

Encourage the patient to get adequate sleep

Answer

Monitor the patient for signs of respiratory depression

Answer

Educate the patient about potential side effects

Question 6

Which of the following is a typical side effect of antipsychotic medications?

Accepted Answer

Increased appetite

Answer

Enhanced reaction time

Answer

Reduced sleep disturbances

Answer

Improved cognitive function

Question 7

Which class of antidepressant is known for its selective inhibition of serotonin reuptake?

Accepted Answer

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Answer

Tricyclic antidepressant

Answer

Monoamine oxidase inhibitor

Answer

Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor

Question 8

After initiating an antidepressant medication, which patient outcome is most important to evaluate?

Accepted Answer

Reduction in depression symptoms

Answer

Absence of side effects

Answer

Improved energy

Answer

Normalized sleep patterns

Question 9

A patient is prescribed a medication that increases the synaptic availability of GABA. Which of the following effects is this medication most likely to produce?

Accepted Answer

Sedation and relaxation

Answer

Stimulation of the central nervous system

Answer

Increased blood pressure

Answer

Bronchospasm

Question 10

Which of the following is the most common side effect of benzodiazepine use?

Accepted Answer

Drowsiness

Answer

Seizures

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Tardive dyskinesia

Question 11

The primary goal of medication interventions in psychiatric nursing is to:

Accepted Answer

Reduce symptoms

Answer

Cure mental disorders

Answer

Prevent relapse

Answer

Improve overall health

Question 12

Which of the following medications is often prescribed to relieve the acute symptoms of a panic attack?

Accepted Answer

Alprazolam

Answer

Buspirone

Answer

Citalopram

Answer

Lithium

Question 13

Which class of antidepressants selectively inhibits the reuptake of serotonin?

Accepted Answer

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Answer

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

Answer

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Question 14

Which benzodiazepine is known for its long-lasting effects?

Accepted Answer

Klonopin (clonazepam)

Answer

Ativan (lorazepam)

Answer

Xanax (alprazolam)

Answer

Valium (diazepam)

Question 15

What is the primary mechanism of action of atypical antipsychotics?

Accepted Answer

Combined dopamine and serotonin receptor blockade

Answer

Dopamine receptor blockade only

Answer

Serotonin receptor blockade only

Answer

Norepinephrine receptor blockade

Question 16

Which antidepressant class primarily increases the availability of norepinephrine and dopamine in the synapse?

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors

Answer

Tricyclic antidepressants

Answer

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Answer

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Question 17

Who is primarily responsible for prescribing and managing psychotropic medications in a psychiatric setting?

Accepted Answer

Psychiatrist

Answer

Psychiatric nurse

Answer

Pharmacist

Answer

Social worker

Question 18

Which of the following is the primary mechanism of action of typical antipsychotics?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine receptor blockade

Answer

Serotonin receptor blockade

Answer

Acetylcholine receptor inhibition

Answer

GABA receptor potentiation

Question 19

A patient receiving lithium carbonate experiences blurred vision and ringing in the ears. Which of the following is a potential complication?

Accepted Answer

Neurological toxicity

Answer

Cardiac arrhythmia

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Answer

Renal failure

Question 20

Which of the following is a common adverse effect of anticonvulsants used as mood stabilizers?

Accepted Answer

Sedation

Answer

Hypersensitivity reactions

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Hypotension

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a recognized class of antidepressants?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines

Answer

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Answer

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

Answer

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Question 22

What is the primary mechanism of action of benzodiazepines?

Accepted Answer

Enhancing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA

Answer

Inhibiting dopamine reuptake

Answer

Blocking serotonin receptors

Answer

Stimulating the release of glutamate

Question 23

Which condition is a contraindication for prescribing lithium?

Accepted Answer

Renal impairment

Answer

Pregnancy

Answer

Thyroid disorders

Answer

Cardiovascular disease

Question 24

In patient education, what is a recommended strategy for managing extrapyramidal side effects of antipsychotics?

Accepted Answer

Practicing relaxation techniques

Answer

Avoiding caffeine consumption

Answer

Increasing fluid intake

Answer

Taking the medication with food

Question 25

Which of the following medications belongs to the class of selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)?

Accepted Answer

Venlafaxine

Answer

Fluoxetine

Answer

Sertraline

Answer

Bupropion

Question 26

When caring for a patient experiencing delusions of persecution, which nursing intervention is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Creating a safe and supportive environment

Answer

Challenging the patient's beliefs

Answer

Using physical restraints to prevent harm

Answer

Ignoring the patient's delusions

Question 27

Which of the following is a fundamental principle guiding the use of psychotropic medications in psychiatric nursing?

Accepted Answer

Tailoring medication regimens to individual patient needs

Answer

Disregarding patient input in adherence monitoring

Answer

Prescribing the minimally effective dose

Answer

Administering medications as the exclusive treatment approach

Question 28

Which medication class is NOT a major pharmacological classification of psychotropic medications?

Accepted Answer

Antihistamines

Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Antidepressants

Answer

Anxiolytics

Question 29

A patient is prescribed a psychotropic medication with a short half-life. How often should the medication be administered?

Accepted Answer

More frequently

Answer

Less frequently

Answer

The dosing frequency is unaffected by the half-life

Question 30

What is a primary responsibility of a nurse when administering psychotropic medications?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring for therapeutic effects and adverse reactions

Answer

Evaluating the patient's financial resources

Answer

Prescribing the medication

Question 31

A contraindication for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) includes:

Accepted Answer

Recent myocardial infarction

Answer

Major depressive disorder

Answer

Schizophrenia

Answer

Bipolar disorder

Question 32

Which medication class is commonly used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Accepted Answer

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Answer

Mood stabilizers

Question 33

An important nursing consideration when administering benzodiazepines is:

Accepted Answer

Monitoring for respiratory depression

Answer

Encouraging a diet high in caffeine

Answer

Administering the medication with antacids

Answer

Promoting physical activity

Question 34

A potential adverse effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) is:

Accepted Answer

Anticholinergic effects

Answer

Lithium toxicity

Answer

Serotonin syndrome

Answer

Extrapyramidal side effects

Question 35

Which of the following nursing interventions is crucial while caring for a patient receiving clozapine?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring for agranulocytosis

Answer

Administering the medication with food

Answer

Providing a low-fat diet

Answer

Encouraging the patient to seek sunlight

Question 36

Which of the following is a typical side effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?

Accepted Answer

Anticholinergic effects

Answer

Extrapyramidal symptoms

Answer

Sedation

Answer

Weight gain

Question 37

Which medication class is commonly used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Accepted Answer

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Answer

Lithium

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Answer

Antipsychotics

Question 38

What is the primary treatment option for bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Mood stabilizers

Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Antidepressants

Question 39

Which nursing intervention is essential when administering antipsychotics?

Accepted Answer

Monitor for extrapyramidal symptoms

Answer

Promote social isolation

Answer

Encourage weight loss

Answer

Provide extra fluids

Question 40

What is the primary use of benzodiazepines in psychiatric nursing?

Accepted Answer

Reduce anxiety and promote sedation

Answer

Improve sleep patterns

Answer

Enhance cognitive function

Answer

Control hallucinations

Question 41

What is the primary responsibility of a nurse in medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Ensure safe medication delivery

Answer

Monitor patient response

Answer

Educate patients

Answer

Prescribe medications

Question 42

Identify a potential adverse effect of long-term lithium use.

Accepted Answer

Nephrotoxicity

Answer

Extrapyramidal symptoms

Answer

Sedation

Answer

Weight loss

Question 43

Why is patient education crucial in pharmacological interventions?

Accepted Answer

It promotes medication adherence and improves treatment outcomes.

Answer

It prevents all potential side effects.

Answer

It accelerates the medication's action.

Answer

It reduces healthcare costs.

Question 44

What is the primary way that antipsychotic medications work?

Accepted Answer

They block dopamine receptors in the brain.

Answer

They enhance acetylcholine activity.

Answer

They increase epinephrine release.

Answer

They inhibit serotonin reuptake.

Question 45

For rapid anxiety relief during an acute panic attack, what is the preferred route of administration for anxiolytic medications?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Oral

Answer

Subcutaneous

Question 46

Which of the following anxiolytic medications is NOT a benzodiazepine and does NOT typically impair cognitive function?

Accepted Answer

Buspirone

Answer

Alprazolam

Answer

Clonazepam

Answer

Lorazepam

Question 47

What is the primary condition for which mood stabilizers are prescribed?

Accepted Answer

Bipolar disorder

Answer

Schizophrenia

Answer

Major depressive disorder

Answer

Anxiety disorders

Question 48

What is a potential drug interaction to be aware of when administering antidepressants?

Accepted Answer

Increased risk of serotonin syndrome

Answer

Increased risk of liver damage (hepatotoxicity)

Answer

Reduced effectiveness of antipsychotic medications

Answer

Decreased absorption of nutrients

Question 49

What is the main goal of psychopharmacological interventions in psychiatric nursing?

Accepted Answer

To manage symptoms and enhance quality of life.

Answer

To cure mental illness completely.

Answer

To eliminate all side effects.