PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PHARMACOLOGY
BOARD EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% CORRECT!!
,1. The psychiatrist prescribes alprazolam (Xanax), a benzodiazepine, for acute anxiety
experienced by a client with agoraphobia. Health teaching should include instructions
about:
A. A tyramine- free diet.
B. Adjusting dose and frequency of ingestion based on level of anxiety.
C. Avoiding alcoholic beverages.
D. Reporting dry mouth. - ANSWER C. Avoiding alcoholic beverages.
Rationale: When prescribing alprazolam (Xanax), a benzodiazepine, for acute anxiety in
a client with agoraphobia, it is important to instruct the client to avoid alcoholic
beverages. Benzodiazepines like alprazolam can enhance the sedative effects of
alcohol, leading to increased drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination.
Combining benzodiazepines with alcohol can also result in severe central nervous
system depression, respiratory depression, and even overdose. Therefore, it is
essential to educate the client about the potential dangers of consuming alcohol while
taking alprazolam.
2. How often and what dosage is alprazolam (Xanax) given to clients?
A. 0.25-1.0 mg. b.i.d.
B. 0.25-0.5 mg. t.i.d.
C. 0.5-1.0 mg. t.i.d.
D. 0.5-1.0 mg. q.i.d. - ANSWER B: 0.25-0.5 mg t.i.d.
The rationale for this dosage is as follows:
Individualized treatment: The dosage of alprazolam can vary depending on factors such
as the severity of the anxiety disorder, the patient's response to the medication, and
their medical history. It is essential for healthcare providers to tailor the dosage to the
specific needs of each patient.
Gradual titration: Starting with a lower dosage, such as 0.25-0.5 mg, allows for a
cautious approach to treatment. It helps to minimize the risk of side effects and allows
the healthcare provider to assess the patient's response before potentially adjusting the
dosage.
Therapeutic effect: Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine medication that acts as an anxiolytic
and can provide relief from anxiety symptoms. The dosage range of 0.25-0.5 mg has
been found effective for many individuals in managing anxiety disorders, providing the
desired therapeutic effect.
, 4. Mr. Jones goes to his family physician complaining of a gnawing pain in his
abdomen. He has had a lot of stress lately at work and has been taking a corticosteriod
medication. The physician diagnoses the problem to be a peptic ulcer. The most likely
medication the physician will prescribe for Mr. Jones is:
A. chlorzoxazone.
B. methsuximide.
C. furazolidone.
D. famotidine. - ANSWER D. famotidine.
Rationale: Given the symptoms of a gnawing pain in the abdomen and the patient's
recent stress and corticosteroid use, the physician is likely to diagnose a peptic ulcer.
The most likely medication that the physician will prescribe for Mr. Jones is famotidine.
Famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist that reduces the production of stomach
acid, providing relief from symptoms and promoting the healing of peptic ulcers.
5. The psychiatric technician is to give 400 mg of chlorpromazine to the client at 1200.
There are both 100 mg and 200 mg tablets of chlorpromazine in the client's medication
cassette. The psychiatric technician would give:
A. Four of the 100 mg. tablets.
B. Two of the 100 mg. tablets.
C. Two of the 200 mg. tablets.
D. One 100 mg. tablet and one 200 mg. tablet. - ANSWER B. two of the 200 mg tablets.
Rationale:
To administer 400 mg of chlorpromazine to the client, we need to select the combination
of tablets that adds up to the desired dosage. Since there are both 100 mg and 200 mg
tablets available, we need to determine the combination that adds up to 400 mg.
6. The doctor has ordered 10 mg of a medication and the label on the bottle reads 0.005
grams
per tablet. How many tablets should the client receive?
A. One
B. One and a half
C. Two
D. Three - ANSWER C. Two
Rationale: Since 1 gram is equal to 1000 milligrams, we can convert the weight of each
tablet from grams to milligrams:
0.005 grams = 0.005 * 1000 mg = 5 mg
BOARD EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% CORRECT!!
,1. The psychiatrist prescribes alprazolam (Xanax), a benzodiazepine, for acute anxiety
experienced by a client with agoraphobia. Health teaching should include instructions
about:
A. A tyramine- free diet.
B. Adjusting dose and frequency of ingestion based on level of anxiety.
C. Avoiding alcoholic beverages.
D. Reporting dry mouth. - ANSWER C. Avoiding alcoholic beverages.
Rationale: When prescribing alprazolam (Xanax), a benzodiazepine, for acute anxiety in
a client with agoraphobia, it is important to instruct the client to avoid alcoholic
beverages. Benzodiazepines like alprazolam can enhance the sedative effects of
alcohol, leading to increased drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination.
Combining benzodiazepines with alcohol can also result in severe central nervous
system depression, respiratory depression, and even overdose. Therefore, it is
essential to educate the client about the potential dangers of consuming alcohol while
taking alprazolam.
2. How often and what dosage is alprazolam (Xanax) given to clients?
A. 0.25-1.0 mg. b.i.d.
B. 0.25-0.5 mg. t.i.d.
C. 0.5-1.0 mg. t.i.d.
D. 0.5-1.0 mg. q.i.d. - ANSWER B: 0.25-0.5 mg t.i.d.
The rationale for this dosage is as follows:
Individualized treatment: The dosage of alprazolam can vary depending on factors such
as the severity of the anxiety disorder, the patient's response to the medication, and
their medical history. It is essential for healthcare providers to tailor the dosage to the
specific needs of each patient.
Gradual titration: Starting with a lower dosage, such as 0.25-0.5 mg, allows for a
cautious approach to treatment. It helps to minimize the risk of side effects and allows
the healthcare provider to assess the patient's response before potentially adjusting the
dosage.
Therapeutic effect: Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine medication that acts as an anxiolytic
and can provide relief from anxiety symptoms. The dosage range of 0.25-0.5 mg has
been found effective for many individuals in managing anxiety disorders, providing the
desired therapeutic effect.
, 4. Mr. Jones goes to his family physician complaining of a gnawing pain in his
abdomen. He has had a lot of stress lately at work and has been taking a corticosteriod
medication. The physician diagnoses the problem to be a peptic ulcer. The most likely
medication the physician will prescribe for Mr. Jones is:
A. chlorzoxazone.
B. methsuximide.
C. furazolidone.
D. famotidine. - ANSWER D. famotidine.
Rationale: Given the symptoms of a gnawing pain in the abdomen and the patient's
recent stress and corticosteroid use, the physician is likely to diagnose a peptic ulcer.
The most likely medication that the physician will prescribe for Mr. Jones is famotidine.
Famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist that reduces the production of stomach
acid, providing relief from symptoms and promoting the healing of peptic ulcers.
5. The psychiatric technician is to give 400 mg of chlorpromazine to the client at 1200.
There are both 100 mg and 200 mg tablets of chlorpromazine in the client's medication
cassette. The psychiatric technician would give:
A. Four of the 100 mg. tablets.
B. Two of the 100 mg. tablets.
C. Two of the 200 mg. tablets.
D. One 100 mg. tablet and one 200 mg. tablet. - ANSWER B. two of the 200 mg tablets.
Rationale:
To administer 400 mg of chlorpromazine to the client, we need to select the combination
of tablets that adds up to the desired dosage. Since there are both 100 mg and 200 mg
tablets available, we need to determine the combination that adds up to 400 mg.
6. The doctor has ordered 10 mg of a medication and the label on the bottle reads 0.005
grams
per tablet. How many tablets should the client receive?
A. One
B. One and a half
C. Two
D. Three - ANSWER C. Two
Rationale: Since 1 gram is equal to 1000 milligrams, we can convert the weight of each
tablet from grams to milligrams:
0.005 grams = 0.005 * 1000 mg = 5 mg
