Download NCLEX Exam Practice Questions: Psychopharmacology and more Exams Nursing in PDF only on Docsity!
NEW 2024 - 2025 ORIGINAL ( NCLEX )TEST GUARANTE PASS EXAM
- A nurse provides instructions to a client taking fluoxetine (Prozac) a selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressant. The nurse tells the client to
take the medication:
A. Early in the morning.
B. During lunch time.
C. At snack time.
D. At bedtime.
Answer: A. Early in the morning.
Fluoxetine is used to treat major depressive disorder, bulimia nervosa obsessivecompulsive disorder, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It is
taken early in the morning to prevent interference with sleep.
- The risk of experiencing serotonin syndrome when SSRI's are given with
monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as phenelzine (Nardil). Serotonin syndrome
is best characterized in which of the following?
A. Hypotension and urinary retention.
B. Muscle rigidity and high fever.
C. A productive cough and vomiting.
D. Tea-colored urine and constipation.
Answer: B. Muscle rigidity and high fever.
Serotonin syndrome symptoms include high body temperature, agitation, muscle
rigidity, tremor, sweating, dilated pupils, and diarrhea.
A client with depression who has been taking amitriptyline for three months
returns to the clinic for a follow-up. The nurse observes the client in which of the
following symptoms?
A. Suicidal thoughts.
B. Lack of energy.
C. Loss of interest in personal appearance.
D. Neglect of responsibilities.
Answer: A. Suicidal thoughts.
Clients may have thoughts about suicide when taking an antidepressant such as
amitriptyline, especially clients younger than 24 years old.
Options B, C, and D are signs of depressions but are most likely improved as the
treatment goes on.
- A client is prescribed with sertraline (Zoloft). To guarantee a safe
administration of the medication, a nurse would administer the dose:
A. As needed only for depressions.
B. Early in the morning.
C. Take on an empty stomach.
D. At bedtime.
Answer: D. At bedtime.
Sertraline (Zoloft) is an antidepressant. It may be administered in the morning or
evening, but giving it in the evening is more favored since drowsiness is one of the side
effects.
A client arrives in the emergency room with a tricyclic antidepressant overdose.
Which of the following measures should the nurse do, except?
A. Maintain a patent airway.
B. Administration of sodium bicarbonate.
C. Gastric lavage with activated charcoal.
D. Obtain an electrocardiogram.
E. Administration of an antipyretic.
C. Dizziness.
D. Fever.
Answer: C. Dizziness.
Isocarboxazid is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. Dizziness, drowsiness,
tiredness, weakness, problems sleeping, constipation, and dry mouth may occur while
taking it.
Options A, B, and D are not side effects related to the medication.
- A client with depression is taking phenelzine (Nardil). The nurse advises the
client to avoid consuming which foods while taking the medication
A. Crackers.
B. Vegetable salad.
C. Oatmeal.
D. Yogurt.
Answer: D. Yogurt.
Phenelzine (Nardil) is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. The client should avoid
eating tyramine-rich foods such as chocolate, alcoholic beverages, aged cheese,
yogurt, processed meats, and fruits such as raisins, avocados, bananas, or figs.
- Patients taking MAOIs have the tendency to experience hypertensive crisis
especially during an interaction with other drugs such as epinephrine. Which of
the following is a sign of hypertensive crisis?
A. Orthostatic hypotension.
B. Diplopia.
C. Delay in ejaculation.
D. Hair loss.
Answer: B. Diplopia.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor Toxicity symptoms include hypertension, tachycardia,
diplopia, nausea, dilated pupils, palpitations, constricting chest pain and altered mental
status.
Options A and C are a common side effect of monoamine oxidase inhibitor.
Option D is not a related symptoms of hypertensive crisis.
- During a hypertensive crisis, the nurse make sure which of this medicine is
readily available?
A. Lithium citrate.
B. Diazepam.
C. Phentolamine.
D. Phenobarbital sodium.
Answer: C. Phentolamine.
In a hypertensive emergency, the first goal is to bring down the blood pressure as
quickly as possible with intravenous (IV) blood pressure medications to prevent further
organ damage. Phentolamine Mesylate (phentolamine mesylate) is used as an antidote
for a hypertensive crisis.
Option A: Lithium citrate is a mood stabilizer.
Option C: Diazepam is a benzodiazpepines.
Option D: Phenobarbital sodium is a barbiturate and sedative hypnotics.
- A client taking lithium carbonate (Lithobid) started complaining of nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, muscle weakness, tremor, blurred vision and
ringing in the ears. The lithium level is 2 mEq/L. The nurse interprets this value
as:
A. Normal level.
B. Toxic level.
Options A and C are classified under moderate lithium toxicity.
Option B is classified under severe lithium toxicity.
- A nurse is giving instructions to a client taking risperidone (Risperdal). The
nurse advise the client to which of the following?
A. Take it on an empty stomach.
B. Change position slowly.
C. Get a daily source of sunlight.
D. Discontinue medication once the symptoms went away.
Answer: B. Change position slowly.
Risperidone (Risperdal) can cause orthostatic hypotension so instruct the client to
change positions slowly to avoid it.
Option A: The medication is taken with food or milk to decrease gastric upset.
Option C: Sunlight should be avoided while taking the medication.
Option D: The medication is to be reduced gradually to avoid sudden recurrence of
psychotic symptoms.
- A nurse notes that a client with schizophrenia and receiving an antipsychotic
medication is having uncontrolled movement of the lips and tongue. The nurse
determines that the client is experiencing?
A. Hypertensive crisis.
B. Parkinsonism.
C. Tardive dyskinesia.
D. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Answer: C. Tardive dyskinesia.
Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by uncontrollable involuntary movements of the
body and extremities (especially of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, arms or legs).
Option A: Hypertensive crisis occurs from the use of MAOIs.
Option B: Parkinsonism is characterize by tremor, slow movement, impaired speech or
muscle stiffness.
Option D: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a life-threatening condition caused by an
adverse reaction to antipsychotic drugs. Symptoms include high fever, sweating,
unstable blood pressure, stupor, muscular rigidity, and autonomic dysfunction.
- A client with schizophrenia has been started on medication therapy with
clozapine (Clozaril). A nurse assesses the results of which laboratory study to
monitor for adverse effect related to this medication?
A. White blood cell.
B. Platelet count.
C. Liver function studies.
D. Random blood sugar.
Answer: A. White blood cell.
Agranulocytosis my experience by the client taking clozapine which can be monitored
by evaluating the white blood cell count.
Options B, C, and D are not related specifically to the use of the medication.
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is prescribed to an 8-year-old child for the treatment
of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The nurse will most likely
monitor which of the following during the medication therapy?
A. Deep tendon reflex.
B. Intake and output.
C. Temperature and breath sound.
D. Height and weight.
Answer: D. Height and weight.
A. Take the medication at the same time each day.
B. Take the medication with meals only.
C. Avoid using sleep aids while taking the medication.
D. Decrease the dosage once with symptoms of dizziness and lightheadedness.
Answer: C. Avoid using sleep aids while taking the medication.
Phenobarbital (Luminal) is an anticonvulsant and hypnotic drug. The client should avoid
drinking alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle
relaxers).
Option A: Taking the medication at the same time daily improves compliance and
maintains more stable blood levels of the medication.
Option B: The medication is taken without regard to meals.
Option D: Decreasing the dosage is not done without the approval of the physicia
