Exam 10: Drug Therapy for Mental Health

You have just completed teaching with a patient who is beginning lithium. Which of the following statements made by the patient demonstrates understanding of this drug?

You are caring for a patient with schizophrenia who is taking antipsychotic drugs for the control of hallucinations and delusions. Which symptoms experienced by the patient would alert you to that the development of neuroleptic malignant syndrome? (Select all that apply.)

For which patient would benzodiazepines be contraindicated?

You are preparing to teach a patient about the drug amitriptyline. Which of the following statements should be included in your teaching plan? (Select all that apply.)

You are taking the history of a patient who is suspected of having lithium toxicity. What symptoms would you expect the patient to report?

A patient who has been taking imipramine comes to the clinic for a routine follow-up appointment. Which of the following assessments would be appropriate to perform?

A young adult patient taking an SSRI for the past 2 weeks comes in for an evaluation and follow-up appointment. Which potential side effect should you check for in this patient?

A patient who has been prescribed a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) one week ago reports that she has not noticed any difference in her depression level since beginning this drug. What is your best response?

A patient who has been taking the atypical antipsychotic risperidone (Risperdal) reports weight gain after taking the drug for 3 months. What would you tell this patient?

The family members of a patient admitted for hallucinations and delusions tells you that the patient is currently taking chlorpromazine (Thorazine) for the treatment of schizophrenia. Which statement about this drug is true?

You are teaching a patient about the adverse effects associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Which adverse effect would you inform your patient about?

Too much serotonin can lead to the adverse effect known as serotonin syndrome. Which of the following symptoms are associated with serotonin syndrome? (Select all that apply.)

Which symptoms would you expect a patient who is experiencing mania? (Select all that apply.)

You are preparing to give the benzodiazepine Valium to a patient as a premedication before surgery. The patient asks you how this drug works. What is your best response?

What disorders would a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor (SSRI) be prescribed for? (Select all that apply.)

You are caring for a patient in the clinic setting who has been taking a benzodiazepine alprazolam (Xanax) for anxiety. What potential problem should you observe this patient for?

You are caring for a patient who will begin treatment for anxiety and depression that has been unresponsive to other drugs with isocarboxazid. Which of the following statements made by the patient would indicate understanding of the teaching related to this drug?

The family of a patient who has been taking the antipsychotic fluphenazine (Prolixin) for the last 2 years. The patient's family reports the patient has suddenly begun smacking her lips, and involuntarily sticking out her tongue. What would be your best first action?

Which drug would you anticipate will be given to a patient who experienced an overdose of a benzodiazepine?

What specific information should be part of the teaching plan for a patient taking a nonbenzodiazepine sedative?