CMN 350 EXAM 2 2025 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
A patient receives a traditional low-potency antipsychotic medication. The nurse should
assess closely for:
a. urinary frequency.
b. urinary retention.
c. hypertension.
d. diarrhea. - ANS B
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia has taken thiothixene (Navane) 5 mg/day for 4 years
with good symptom control. Today, the patient is admitted with paranoia and auditory
hallucinations. The nurse should determine if the patient's symptoms are related to:
a. not taking the drug as prescribed.
b. activation of serotonin receptors.
c. development of tolerance to the drug.
d. an expected illness-exacerbation cycle. - ANS A
When assessing for a positive outcome to drug therapy with fluphenazine (Prolixin), the
nurse would look primarily for improvement in:
a. hallucinations.
b. range of affect.
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,c. personal hygiene.
d. social interactions. - ANS A
A patient receiving a traditional high-potency antipsychotic medication should be
closely monitored for:
a. adrenergic effects.
b. extrapyramidal side effects.
c. anticholinergic side effects.
d. changes in pain perception. - ANS B
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the clinic nurse, "I stopped taking my
antipsychotic medication two days ago." Previously, the patient was compliant and had good
symptom control. What assessment finding would the nurse expect at this visit?
a. Mood instability
b. Paranoid delusions
c. No evidence of symptoms
d. Mental clouding and confusion - ANS C
A patient is diagnosed with neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Which medication from
the patient's pharmacologic profile most likely led to this problem?
a. Divalproex sodium (Depakote)
b. Amitriptyline (Elavil)
c. Haloperidol (Haldol)
d. Paroxetine (Paxil) - ANS C
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,During a psychiatric emergency, a patient is given a traditional antipsychotic drug
intramuscularly and placed in seclusion. Over the next 2 hours, concerns for safety and
physiologic
stability require that the patient be carefully monitored for:
a. tardive dyskinesia.
b. gastrointestinal hyperactivity.
c. drug-induced parkinsonian movements.
d. orthostatic hypotension and cardiac arrhythmias. - ANS D
During a psychiatric emergency, a patient is given a traditional antipsychotic drug
intramuscularly and placed in seclusion. Over the next 2 hours, which aspect of physical
assessment is most important?
a. All vital signs
b. Urinary output
c. AIMS scale
d. Temperature - ANS A
Thioridazine (Mellaril) is prescribed for a 72-year-old patient with a psychiatric
disorder. It is most critical for the nurse to obtain information about preexisting:
a. cataracts.
b. heart disease.
c. diabetes mellitus.
d. chronic bronchitis. - ANS B
When a patient is taking a traditional antipsychotic medication, the nurse should assess
carefully for EPSEs, particularly:
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, a. akathisia.
b. mydriasis.
c. hypotension.
d. constipation. - ANS A
A patient who takes haloperidol (Haldol) 10 mg/day orally developed restlessness,
agitation, and an inability to sit still. The nurse then administered a PRN dose of haloperidol 5
mg
intramuscularly. One hour later the patient's symptoms were worse. What is the most likely
explanation?
a. The PRN medication has not yet taken effect.
b. The patient needs an additional PRN dose of haloperidol to control the rising agitation.
c. The patient was experiencing akathisia, which worsened after receiving the PRN medication.
d. The nurse should consider an adjunctive dose of an antianxiety drug such as lorazepam
(Ativan). - ANS C
A patient is to be discharged on a maintenance dose of a high-potency antipsychotic
medication. Which remark indicates that discharge teaching about the medication was
effective?
a. "I will be able to have a few glasses of wine."
b. "I have to use sun block when I go to the beach."
c. "It is important for me to dress warmly in all seasons."
d. "If I miss a dose, I will take an extra one the next day." - ANS B
Select the accurate information about the pharmacokinetics of lithium.
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ANSWERS
A patient receives a traditional low-potency antipsychotic medication. The nurse should
assess closely for:
a. urinary frequency.
b. urinary retention.
c. hypertension.
d. diarrhea. - ANS B
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia has taken thiothixene (Navane) 5 mg/day for 4 years
with good symptom control. Today, the patient is admitted with paranoia and auditory
hallucinations. The nurse should determine if the patient's symptoms are related to:
a. not taking the drug as prescribed.
b. activation of serotonin receptors.
c. development of tolerance to the drug.
d. an expected illness-exacerbation cycle. - ANS A
When assessing for a positive outcome to drug therapy with fluphenazine (Prolixin), the
nurse would look primarily for improvement in:
a. hallucinations.
b. range of affect.
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,c. personal hygiene.
d. social interactions. - ANS A
A patient receiving a traditional high-potency antipsychotic medication should be
closely monitored for:
a. adrenergic effects.
b. extrapyramidal side effects.
c. anticholinergic side effects.
d. changes in pain perception. - ANS B
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the clinic nurse, "I stopped taking my
antipsychotic medication two days ago." Previously, the patient was compliant and had good
symptom control. What assessment finding would the nurse expect at this visit?
a. Mood instability
b. Paranoid delusions
c. No evidence of symptoms
d. Mental clouding and confusion - ANS C
A patient is diagnosed with neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Which medication from
the patient's pharmacologic profile most likely led to this problem?
a. Divalproex sodium (Depakote)
b. Amitriptyline (Elavil)
c. Haloperidol (Haldol)
d. Paroxetine (Paxil) - ANS C
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,During a psychiatric emergency, a patient is given a traditional antipsychotic drug
intramuscularly and placed in seclusion. Over the next 2 hours, concerns for safety and
physiologic
stability require that the patient be carefully monitored for:
a. tardive dyskinesia.
b. gastrointestinal hyperactivity.
c. drug-induced parkinsonian movements.
d. orthostatic hypotension and cardiac arrhythmias. - ANS D
During a psychiatric emergency, a patient is given a traditional antipsychotic drug
intramuscularly and placed in seclusion. Over the next 2 hours, which aspect of physical
assessment is most important?
a. All vital signs
b. Urinary output
c. AIMS scale
d. Temperature - ANS A
Thioridazine (Mellaril) is prescribed for a 72-year-old patient with a psychiatric
disorder. It is most critical for the nurse to obtain information about preexisting:
a. cataracts.
b. heart disease.
c. diabetes mellitus.
d. chronic bronchitis. - ANS B
When a patient is taking a traditional antipsychotic medication, the nurse should assess
carefully for EPSEs, particularly:
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, a. akathisia.
b. mydriasis.
c. hypotension.
d. constipation. - ANS A
A patient who takes haloperidol (Haldol) 10 mg/day orally developed restlessness,
agitation, and an inability to sit still. The nurse then administered a PRN dose of haloperidol 5
mg
intramuscularly. One hour later the patient's symptoms were worse. What is the most likely
explanation?
a. The PRN medication has not yet taken effect.
b. The patient needs an additional PRN dose of haloperidol to control the rising agitation.
c. The patient was experiencing akathisia, which worsened after receiving the PRN medication.
d. The nurse should consider an adjunctive dose of an antianxiety drug such as lorazepam
(Ativan). - ANS C
A patient is to be discharged on a maintenance dose of a high-potency antipsychotic
medication. Which remark indicates that discharge teaching about the medication was
effective?
a. "I will be able to have a few glasses of wine."
b. "I have to use sun block when I go to the beach."
c. "It is important for me to dress warmly in all seasons."
d. "If I miss a dose, I will take an extra one the next day." - ANS B
Select the accurate information about the pharmacokinetics of lithium.
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