Chapter 17: Psychotherapeutic Drugs Flashcards
When administering an intramuscular injection of risperidone (Risperdal Consta®), the nurse
tells the patient that this medication dosage will be effective for how long?
a. 24 hours
b. 48 hours
c. 1 week
d. 2 weeks
d. 2 weeks
Before beginning therapy with fluoxetine (Prozac), the nurse should assess for concurrent use of which medication? a. acetylsalicylic acid b. warfarin sodium c. Diuretics d. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
b. warfarin sodium
When the nurse is teaching the patient about monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which
is important to emphasize?
a. Serum blood levels should be drawn every 2 weeks.
b. If drowsiness occurs, stop the medication immediately.
c. Drowsiness should decrease after the first few weeks of therapy.
d. Foods high in tyramine—such as cheese, beer, and wine—must be avoided.
d. Foods high in tyramine—such as cheese, beer, and wine—must be avoided.
A patient has been taking haloperidol for 3 months for a psychotic disorder. Because the nurse
is concerned about the development of extrapyramidal symptoms, the patient will be
monitored for which symptom?
a. Cogwheel rigidity and blurred vision
b. Drowsiness and dizziness
c. Motor restlessness and muscle spasms
d. Dry mouth and constipation
c. Motor restlessness and muscle spasms
A patient has been taking the MAOI phenelzine (Nardil®) for 6 months. The patient says he’s
going out to the local bar to meet a few friends for a beer. What important information should
the nurse tell this patient?
a. Drinking beer is permitted as long as there is a designated driver.
b. He has no further dietary restrictions because he has taken the last dosage.
c. If he begins to experience a throbbing headache, rapid pulse, or nausea, he should
stop drinking.
d. He needs to avoid foods with tyramine while on this medication.
d. He needs to avoid foods with tyramine while on this medication.
A 22-year-old female has been taking lithium (Carbolith®) for 6 months. She has blood work
every month, and the nurse assesses her for signs of toxicity. What are the indications of
toxicity?
a. Serum lithium level of 0.8 mmol/L and excitability
b. Serum lithium level of 1.0 mmol/L and palpitations
c. Serum lithium level of 1.3 mmol/L and hypertension
d. Serum lithium level of 2.3 mmol/L and cardiac dysrhythmias
d. Serum lithium level of 2.3 mmol/L and cardiac dysrhythmias
A patient taking clozapine has shown marked improvement. Which statement by this patient
indicates the experiencing of a common adverse effect of clozapine?
a. “I have been losing weight.”
b. “I don’t feel like eating at all.”
c. “Look at how red my hands are.”
d. “My mouth has been so dry lately.”
d. “My mouth has been so dry lately.”
A 44-year-old patient has been taking sertraline (Zoloft®), a selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitor (SSRI), for 4 months. The patient tells the nurse about having an interest in natural
health products and wants to start taking St. John’s wort. Which statement to the patient is an
appropriate response from the nurse?
a. “That should be no problem.”
b. “Soon you’ll be able to stop taking the Zoloft!”
c. “Be sure to stop taking the herb if you notice a change in adverse effects.”
d. “Taking St. John’s wort with Zoloft may cause severe interactions and is not
recommended.”
d. “Taking St. John’s wort with Zoloft may cause severe interactions and is not
recommended. ”
Which ethnic group often requires lower doses of benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants? a. Indigenous peoples b. Asians c. Latin Americans d. Somalis
b. Asians
St. John’s wort is a natural health product that some people use for the treatment of mild to
moderate symptoms of depression. Use of St. John’s wort is contraindicated in patients with
which conditions?
a. Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease
b. Benign prostatic hypertrophy, diabetes
c. Dementia, emphysema
d. Heart disease, schizophrenia
a. Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease
A nurse is monitoring a depressed patient who has just started antidepressant therapy. During
which time period does the patient have the highest potential for self-injury and suicide?
a. At the beginning, before drug therapy is started
b. The period between the start of therapy and symptomatic improvement
c. Between 1 and 4 weeks of drug therapy
d. After 6 months of drug therapy
b. The period between the start of therapy and symptomatic improvement
Which is a reason that SSRIs are more widely prescribed today than are tricyclic
antidepressants (TCAs)?
a. SSRIs have fewer sexual adverse effects.
b. Unlike TCAs, SSRIs do not have drug–food interactions.
c. TCAs can cause serious cardiac toxicities if an overdose occurs.
d. SSRIs therapeutically respond faster than tricyclic antidepressants.
c. TCAs can cause serious cardiac toxicities if an overdose occurs
The wife of a patient who has been diagnosed with depression calls the office and says, “It’s
been an entire week since he started that new medicine for his depression, and there’s no
change! What’s wrong with him?” Which statement is the best response from the nurse?
a. “The medication may not be effective for him. He may need to try another type.”
b. “It may take up to 4 weeks to notice any therapeutic effects. Let’s wait a little
longer to see how he does.”
c. “It sounds like he is tolerant to the drug. I’ll check about increasing the dosage.”
d. “Some patients never recover from depression. He may not respond to this
therapy.”
b. “It may take up to 4 weeks to notice any therapeutic effects. Let’s wait a little
longer to see how he does.”
A patient with a history of anxiety attacks is given a medication for these episodes. Which
medication is appropriate for this problem?
a. fluphenazine
b. phenobarbital
c. bupropion
d. buspirone hydrochloride
d. buspirone hydrochloride
Which breakfast choice by a patient taking an MAOI indicates the need for additional
teaching?
a. Orange juice
b. Fried eggs
c. Cheddar cheese omelet
d. French toast
c. Cheddar cheese omelet
