Mental Health Nursing - Psychopharmacology & Medications Practice
Pack 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A patient is started on Lithium Carbonate. Which range represents the
standard therapeutic blood level for maintenance therapy?
A. 0.2 - 0.5 mEq/L
B. 1.5 - 2.0 mEq/L
C. 0.6 - 1.2 mEq/L
D. 2.5 - 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic range for Lithium maintenance is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels
above 1.5 mEq/L are considered toxic.
2. A client taking Haloperidol develops high fever, muscle rigidity, and
tachycardia. What complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
C. Agranulocytosis
D. Tardive Dyskinesia
Answer: B
Rationale: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening reaction to
antipsychotic drugs characterized by fever, rigidity, and autonomic instability.
,3. Which food should be avoided by a patient taking Phenelzine (an MAOI)?
A. Fresh apples
B. Grilled chicken
C. Aged cheddar cheese
D. White bread
Answer: C
Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods like aged cheese, cured meats, and red
wine, leading to a hypertensive crisis.
4. A patient is prescribed Clozapine. Which laboratory test is most critical to
monitor weekly during the start of therapy?
A. Serum Glucose
B. White Blood Cell (WBC) count
C. Platelet count
D. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis; therefore, monitoring WBC and
Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is mandatory.
5. How long does it typically take for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
(SSRIs) to reach full therapeutic effect?
A. 2 to 4 weeks
B. 3 to 5 days
C. 24 to 48 hours
D. 2 to 3 months
Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs usually take several weeks (2 to 4 or even 6 weeks) to achieve
therapeutic mood stabilization.
, 6. Which medication is frequently used to treat Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS)
induced by antipsychotics?
A. Benztropine
B. Lithium
C. Fluoxetine
D. Donepezil
Answer: A
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic used to counteract EPS such as dystonia or
tremors caused by antipsychotic medications.
7. A patient taking Valproic Acid should have which lab tests monitored
regularly?
A. Renal function and hearing
B. Liver enzymes and platelets
C. Vision and intraocular pressure
D. Thyroid stimulating hormone
Answer: B
Rationale: Valproic acid can cause hepatotoxicity and thrombocytopenia, necessitating
liver function and platelet monitoring.
8. What is the primary mechanism of action for Benzodiazepines?
A. Potentiating GABA effects
B. Blocking Serotonin reuptake
C. Increasing Dopamine at the synapse
D. Inhibiting Acetylcholinesterase
Answer: A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA in the
central nervous system.
Pack 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A patient is started on Lithium Carbonate. Which range represents the
standard therapeutic blood level for maintenance therapy?
A. 0.2 - 0.5 mEq/L
B. 1.5 - 2.0 mEq/L
C. 0.6 - 1.2 mEq/L
D. 2.5 - 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic range for Lithium maintenance is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels
above 1.5 mEq/L are considered toxic.
2. A client taking Haloperidol develops high fever, muscle rigidity, and
tachycardia. What complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
C. Agranulocytosis
D. Tardive Dyskinesia
Answer: B
Rationale: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening reaction to
antipsychotic drugs characterized by fever, rigidity, and autonomic instability.
,3. Which food should be avoided by a patient taking Phenelzine (an MAOI)?
A. Fresh apples
B. Grilled chicken
C. Aged cheddar cheese
D. White bread
Answer: C
Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods like aged cheese, cured meats, and red
wine, leading to a hypertensive crisis.
4. A patient is prescribed Clozapine. Which laboratory test is most critical to
monitor weekly during the start of therapy?
A. Serum Glucose
B. White Blood Cell (WBC) count
C. Platelet count
D. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis; therefore, monitoring WBC and
Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is mandatory.
5. How long does it typically take for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
(SSRIs) to reach full therapeutic effect?
A. 2 to 4 weeks
B. 3 to 5 days
C. 24 to 48 hours
D. 2 to 3 months
Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs usually take several weeks (2 to 4 or even 6 weeks) to achieve
therapeutic mood stabilization.
, 6. Which medication is frequently used to treat Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS)
induced by antipsychotics?
A. Benztropine
B. Lithium
C. Fluoxetine
D. Donepezil
Answer: A
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic used to counteract EPS such as dystonia or
tremors caused by antipsychotic medications.
7. A patient taking Valproic Acid should have which lab tests monitored
regularly?
A. Renal function and hearing
B. Liver enzymes and platelets
C. Vision and intraocular pressure
D. Thyroid stimulating hormone
Answer: B
Rationale: Valproic acid can cause hepatotoxicity and thrombocytopenia, necessitating
liver function and platelet monitoring.
8. What is the primary mechanism of action for Benzodiazepines?
A. Potentiating GABA effects
B. Blocking Serotonin reuptake
C. Increasing Dopamine at the synapse
D. Inhibiting Acetylcholinesterase
Answer: A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA in the
central nervous system.
