Psychopharmacology Chapter 4 Pack Exam Revised 2025

When used in combination with anxiolytic medication, alcohol leads to _____________ effects, and caffeine leads to _______________ effects. 1. increased; increased 2. increased; decreased 3. decreased; decreased 4. decreased; increased - ANSWER-2. increased; decreased Anxiolytic medications work through depression of certain central nervous system (CNS) functions. Alcohol, which is a CNS depressant, would increase/potentiate their effects. Caffeine, which is a CNS stimulant, would decrease/inhibit their effects. A client was recently admitted to the inpatient unit after a suicide attempt. He has been placed on a tricyclic antidepressant. In terms of medication, what steps should be taken to maintain the client's safety when he is discharged? 1. Provide a 6-month supply to ensure long-term compliance. 2. Provide a 1-week supply of medication, with refills authorized only after he visits his provider. 3. Encourage him to increase fluid intake to counteract the common side effect of diarrhea. 4. Educate him not to eat foods that contain tyramine. - ANSWER-2. Provide a 1-week supply of medication, with refills authorized only after he visits his provider. To prevent suicide through overdose on antidepressant medication, a limited supply should be given at discharge. Clients with a history of depression who have a lifting of mood may have an increased risk for suicide. Giving the client a larger supply of antidepressant medication increases the chances of overdose. A client was recently admitted to the inpatient unit after a suicide attempt and is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The nurse teaches the client about serotonin syndrome. Which of the following is a symptom of serotonin syndrome? 1. Change in mental status 2. Myoclonus 3. Blood pressure lability 4. Priapism - ANSWER-4. Priapism A client was recently admitted to the inpatient unit after a suicide attempt and has not responded to SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants. The client asks the nurse, "I heard about monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Why can't they be added to what I am on now? Wouldn't adding one help?" Which is the appropriate nursing response? Psychopharmacology Psychopharmacology 1. "Electroconvulsive therapy is your best option at this point." 2. "Combined use can lead to a life-threatening condition called hypertensive crisis." 3. "There is no reason why an MAOI couldn't be added to your therapy." 4. "They can't be used together because their mechanisms of action are very different." - ANSWER-2. "Combined use can lead to a life-threatening condition called hypertensive crisis." A client began taking lithium for the treatment of bipolar disorder approximately 1 month ago and asks why he has gained 12 lbs. since then. Which is the appropriate nursing response? 1. "I'm surprised you have gained; weight loss is the typical pattern when taking lithium." 2. "Your weight gain is more likely related to food intake than medication." 3. "Weight gain is a common, but troubling side effect. Let's talk about some strategies for safely improving your nutrition and exercise habits." 4. "There's not much you can do about the weight gain. It's better than being emotionally unstable, though." - ANSWER-3. "Weight gain is a common, but troubling side effect. Let's talk about some strategies for safely improving your nutrition and exercise habits." The nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and takes an antipsychotic agent daily. Which finding requires further nursing assessment? 1. Respirations of 22 beats/minute 2. Weight gain of 8 lbs. in 2 months 3. Temperature of 101 F 4. Excess salivation - ANSWER-3. Temperature of 101 F An aging client with chronic schizophrenia takes a beta-adrenergic blocking agent (propranolol) for hypertension and an antipsychotic. Given the combined side effects of these drugs, what teaching should the nurse provide? 1. "Make sure you concentrate on taking slow, deep, cleansing breaths." 2. "Watch your diet and try to engage in some regular physical activity." 3. "Rise slowly when you change position from lying to sitting or sitting to standing." 4. "Wear sunscreen and try to avoid midday sun exposure." - ANSWER-3. "Rise slowly when you change position from lying to sitting or sitting to standing." A client with depression and substance abuse has an interrupted sleep pattern. She demands that her psychiatrist prescribe her a sedative. What teaching would the nurse provide about the rationale for the use of nonpharmacological interventions instead? 1. "Sedative-hypnotics are potentially addictive and gradually lose their effectiveness as one builds up tolerance to them." 2. "Sedative-hypnotics work best in combination with other techniques." 3. "Sedative-hypnotics are not permitted for use in patients with substance abuse disorders." 4. "Sedative-hypnotics are not as effective as the antidepressant medications for treating sleep disturbances." - ANSWER-1. "Sedative-hypnotics are potentially addictive and gradually lose their effectiveness as one builds up tolerance to them." Psychopharmacology Psychopharmacology Which statement about the tricyclic group of antidepressant medications is accurate? 1. Strong or aged cheese should not be eaten while taking them. 2. Their full therapeutic potential may not be reached until 4 weeks. 3. They may cause hypomania or recent memory impairment. 4. They should not be given with antianxiety agents. - ANSWER-2. Their full therapeutic potential may not be reached until 4 weeks. A client was admitted with major depression that was a single episode and moderate. During her stay, she was started on Prozac (fluoxetine) at 40 mg orally every day. The nurse's discharge teaching should include all of the following except: 1. Continue taking Prozac as prescribed. You will continue to see improvement over the next few weeks. 2. Make sure that you follow up with outpatient psychotherapy as you and the social worker have arranged. 3. You may be able to discontinue the medication within 6 months to 1 year, but only under a doctor's supervision. However, there is a chance of recurring episodes. 4. You should avoid foods with tyramine, including beer, beans, processed meats, and red wine. - ANSWER-4. You should avoid foods with tyramine, including beer, beans, processed meats, and red wine. This is true regarding MAOIs, not an SSRI antidepressant, such as fluoxetine. In the treatment of anxiety disorders, benzodiazepines (such as Ativan and Xanax) are indicated for_________ use and have__________ abuse po