Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

The primary mechanisms of action of certain antidepressants result from neurotransmitter inactivation by enzyme-based metabolism and:

Accepted Answer

A)   electrochemical stimulation.
B)   stimulation of natural precursors.
C)   extraction of precursors from the bloodstream.
D)   reuptake into the presynaptic storage vesicles. D

Question 3

A realistic outcome of patient teaching about psychotropic medication is that the patient will:

Accepted Answer

A)   understand physiologic responses to drug therapy.
B)   assess effectiveness of prescribed drugs in controlling symptoms.
C)   describe onset, peak, and duration of action of each drug prescribed.
D)   state the purpose, dose, and significant side effects of each drug prescribed. D

Question 4

Studies about psychiatric patients' understanding of psychopharmacology suggest that the nursing diagnosis most applicable is:

Accepted Answer

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 5

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

Accepted Answer

A)   Drug pharmacokinetics
B)   Common drug interactions
C)   Management of common side effects
D)   Descriptive list of all possible adverse effects
E)   Written copies of information about the drug and its effects

Question 6

The parent of a teen diagnosed with schizophrenia asks, "Why does schizophrenia usually appear in adolescence?" The nurse's reply would be based on which premise?

Accepted Answer

A)   Stimulation of neurotransmitters is unstable.
B)   Neuronal system complexity stabilizes.
C)   Dendrite branching becomes complete in adolescence.
D)   Amino acid production increases.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A)   Paroxetine (Paxil) 
B)   Clozapine (Clozaril) 
C)   Imipramine (Tofranil) 
D)   Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)

Question 8

A nurse administers a highly protein-bound medication. Which patient would have the most immediate and powerful effect from this drug?

Accepted Answer

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 9

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.

Accepted Answer

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 high?"
E)   "Do you believe you have an illness?"F)  "None of above"

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

A)   dopamine excess.
B)   decreased GABA level.
C)   increased serotonin level.
D)   decreased acetylcholine level.

Question 11

A nurse assesses a newly hospitalized patient with a long history of serious and persistent mental illness. The priority assessment information to obtain regarding medication safety is:

Accepted Answer

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 12

Bearing in mind the function of the blood-brain barrier, dangers associated with administering large doses of water-soluble drugs relate primarily to the:

Accepted Answer

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 13

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.

Accepted Answer

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."

Question 14

A week after beginning fluoxetine ( Prozac ), a patient complains, "I still feel so depressed all the time." Based on pharmacodynamics, the nurse's best action is to:

Accepted Answer

A)   administer the medication on an empty stomach.
B)   advise the health care provider that the drug is ineffective.
C)   reassess the expected outcomes of antidepressant therapy.
D)   educate the patient that the drug needs more time to be effective.

Question 15

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

A novice nurse asks, "What is the role of psychopharmacology in the psychotherapeutic management model?" A mentor should respond that psychopharmacology makes it possible to:

Accepted Answer

A)   use the least restrictive treatment alternatives.
B)   prevent violence against nurses.
C)   identify desirable outcomes.
D)   determine psychopathology.

Question 19

Sequence the following historical events beginning with the evolution of psychotropic medications:

Accepted Answer

A)   SSRI antidepressants were developed.
B)   Drugs became available to treat patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
C)   Clozapine ( Clozaril ) , the first atypical antipsychotic drug, was marketed.
D)   Chlorpromazine ( Thorazine )  was discovered.
E)   None of above

Question 20

A patient taking clozapine (Clozaril) says, "I get plenty of vitamin C by drinking 8 ounces of grapefruit juice each morning." Select the nurse's best response.

Accepted Answer

A)   "High doses of Vitamin C support the immune system and general good health."
B)   "Name another juice you would drink, because grapefruit juice can cause a bad reaction while taking clozapine."
C)   "Grapefruit juice lessens the effectiveness of your medication. You might need higher doses."
D)   "New research shows papaya juice is a better source of vitamin C than grapefruit juice."

Exam 12: Introduction to Psychotropic Drugs