Question 1

When a patient is taking a traditional antipsychotic medication, the nurse should assess carefully for EPSEs, particularly:

Accepted Answer

A)  akathisia. 
B)  mydriasis. 
C)  hypotension. 
D)  constipation. 
A)  akathisia. 
B)  mydriasis. 
C)  hypotension. 
D)  constipation.

Question 2

An adult diagnosed with schizophrenia was started on clozapine (Clozaril) 4 days ago. At 2100 today, the patient's vital signs are temperature 101° F; pulse 143 beats/min; respirations 20 breaths/min; blood pressure 100/60 mm Hg. What is the nurse's best action regarding the 2100 dose of clozapine?

Accepted Answer

A)  Recognize the alterations in vital signs as typical for early therapy, and administer the medication. 
B)  Hold the medication, and notify the health care provider. 
C)  Give the drug and continue to monitor vital signs every 4 hours. 
D)  Postpone the dose until vital signs are normal. 
A)  Recognize the alterations in vital signs as typical for early therapy, and administer the medication. 
B)  Hold the medication, and notify the health care provider. 
C)  Give the drug and continue to monitor vital signs every 4 hours. 
D)  Postpone the dose until vital signs are normal.

Question 3

During a psychiatric emergency, a patient is given a traditional antipsychotic drug intramuscularly and placed in seclusion. Over the next 2 hours, which aspect of physical assessment is most important?

Accepted Answer

A)  All vital signs 
B)  Urinary output 
C)  AIMS scale 
D)  Temperature 
A)  All vital signs 
B)  Urinary output 
C)  AIMS scale 
D)  Temperature

Question 4

A patient who takes a traditional antipsychotic medication says, "I feel shaky and very warm." The patient is diaphoretic. The nurse should further assess for what complication?

Accepted Answer

A)  Acute dystonia 
B)  Tardive dyskinesia 
C)  Drug-induced parkinsonism 
D)  NMS 
A)  Acute dystonia 
B)  Tardive dyskinesia 
C)  Drug-induced parkinsonism 
D)  NMS

Question 5

A nurse reviews laboratory reports for a patient who has taken clozapine (Clozaril) for 1 year. Which value would prompt the nurse to notify the health care provider of the need to suspend treatment? The total WBC count and granulocyte count are:

Accepted Answer

A)  2900 cells/mm3 and 1450 cells/mm3. 
B)  3500 cells/mm3 and 1850 cells/mm3. 
C)  4000 cells/mm3 and 2000 cells/mm3. 
D)  4500 cells/mm3 and 2500 cells/mm3. 
A)  2900 cells/mm3 and 1450 cells/mm3. 
B)  3500 cells/mm3 and 1850 cells/mm3. 
C)  4000 cells/mm3 and 2000 cells/mm3. 
D)  4500 cells/mm3 and 2500 cells/mm3.

Question 6

The patient receiving antipsychotic medication who should be most carefully monitored for development of neuroleptic malignant syndrome is the individual who:

Accepted Answer

A)  has a history of hypothermia. 
B)  has an elevated serum prolactin level. 
C)  is beginning treatment with a high-potency drug. 
D)  has taken antipsychotics for more than 6 months. 
A)  has a history of hypothermia. 
B)  has an elevated serum prolactin level. 
C)  is beginning treatment with a high-potency drug. 
D)  has taken antipsychotics for more than 6 months.

Question 7

When assessing for a positive outcome to drug therapy with fluphenazine (Prolixin), the nurse would look primarily for improvement in:

Accepted Answer

A)  hallucinations. 
B)  range of affect. 
C)  personal hygiene. 
D)  social interactions. 
A)  hallucinations. 
B)  range of affect. 
C)  personal hygiene. 
D)  social interactions.

Question 8

After an unsuccessful trial with fluphenazine (Prolixin), a patient's medication was changed to trifluoperazine (Stelazine). Three months later the patient is still hallucinating and delusional. What is the most likely explanation for the persistent symptoms?

Accepted Answer

A)  Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) is a low-potency antipsychotic, and the patient might need higher doses. 
B)  The patient has not taken trifluoperazine (Stelazine) long enough to decrease symptoms significantly. 
C)  Delusions and hallucinations are negative symptoms of schizophrenia that do not respond to traditional antipsychotic medications. 
D)  Both fluphenazine (Prolixin) and trifluoperazine (Stelazine) are traditional antipsychotics, and the patient does not respond well to this class of drug. 
A)  Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) is a low-potency antipsychotic, and the patient might need higher doses. 
B)  The patient has not taken trifluoperazine (Stelazine) long enough to decrease symptoms significantly. 
C)  Delusions and hallucinations are negative symptoms of schizophrenia that do not respond to traditional antipsychotic medications. 
D)  Both fluphenazine (Prolixin) and trifluoperazine (Stelazine) are traditional antipsychotics, and the patient does not respond well to this class of drug.

Exam 14: Antipsychotic Drugs

When a patient is taking a traditional antipsychotic medication, the nurse should assess carefully for EPSEs, particularly:

During a psychiatric emergency, a patient is given a traditional antipsychotic drug intramuscularly and placed in seclusion. Over the next 2 hours, which aspect of physical assessment is most important?

A patient who takes a traditional antipsychotic medication says, "I feel shaky and very warm." The patient is diaphoretic. The nurse should further assess for what complication?

A nurse reviews laboratory reports for a patient who has taken clozapine (Clozaril) for 1 year. Which value would prompt the nurse to notify the health care provider of the need to suspend treatment? The total WBC count and granulocyte count are:

The patient receiving antipsychotic medication who should be most carefully monitored for development of neuroleptic malignant syndrome is the individual who:

When assessing for a positive outcome to drug therapy with fluphenazine (Prolixin), the nurse would look primarily for improvement in:

After an unsuccessful trial with fluphenazine (Prolixin), a patient's medication was changed to trifluoperazine (Stelazine). Three months later the patient is still hallucinating and delusional. What is the most likely explanation for the persistent symptoms?

Me, Meds, Milieu

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