Psychiatric Pharmacology NCLEX RN
Medication Practice Exam | Graded A+
Study Guide
1. Question
Nurse Jen is caring for a male client with manic depression. The plan of care for a
client in a manic state would include:
A. Offering high-calorie meals and strongly encouraging the client to finish
all food.
B. Insisting that the client remains active through the day so that he’ll sleep at
night.
C. Allowing the client to exhibit hyperactive, demanding, manipulative
behavior without setting limits.
D. Listening attentively with a neutral attitude and avoiding power struggles.
Correct Answer: D. Listening attentively with a neutral attitude and avoiding
power struggles.
The nurse should listen to the client’s requests, express willingness to seriously
consider the request, and respond later. The nurse shouldn’t try to restrain the
client when he feels the need to move around as long as his activity isn’t harmful.
Remain neutral as possible; Do not argue with the client. The client can use
inconsistencies and value judgments as justification for arguing and escalating
mania. Maintain a consistent approach, employ consistent expectations, and
provide a structured environment. Clear and consistent limits and expectations
minimize the potential for client’s manipulation of staff.
2. 2. Question
Ramon is admitted for detoxification after a cocaine overdose. The client tells the
nurse that he frequently uses cocaine but that he can control his use if he
chooses. Which coping mechanism is he using?
A. Withdrawal
, B. Logical thinking
C. Repression
D. Denial
Correct Answer: D. Denial
Denial is an unconscious defense mechanism in which emotional conflict and
anxiety is avoided by refusing to acknowledge feelings, desires, impulses, or
external facts that are consciously intolerable. Denial is a defense mechanism
proposed by Anna Freud which involves a refusal to accept reality, thus blocking
external events from awareness. If a situation is just too much to handle, the
person may respond by refusing to perceive it or by denying that it exists.
3. 3. Question
Richard is admitted with a diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder. Which
signs would this client exhibit during social situations?
A. Aggressive behavior
B. Paranoid thoughts
Correct answer
C. Emotional affect
D. Independence needs
Correct Answer: B. Paranoid thoughts
Clients with schizotypal personality disorder experience excessive social anxiety
that can lead to paranoid thoughts. People with schizotypal personality disorder
are loners who prefer to keep their distance from others and are uncomfortable
being in relationships. They sometimes exhibit odd speech or behavior, and they
have a limited or flat range of emotions. This pattern begins early in adulthood
and continues throughout life.
.
Option D: These clients demonstrate a reduced capacity for close or
dependent relationships. Difficulties in social interactions can lead to personal
disappointment and poor self-image throughout life. These kinds of problems
may become an important focus in psychotherapy. If the problems are more
severe, however, a person with a schizotypal personality disorder may have
more than average difficulty maintaining a job or living independently. For
, example, routine interactions at work may be very awkward or may provoke
anxiety. The person may not be able to accomplish daily tasks like shopping
for food or other necessities.
4. 4. Question
Nurse Mickey is caring for a client diagnosed with bulimia. The most appropriate
initial goal for a client diagnosed with bulimia is to:
A. Avoid shopping for large amounts of food.
B. Control eating impulses.
C. Identify anxiety-causing situations.
Correct answer
D. Eat only three meals per day.
Correct Answer: C. Identify anxiety-causing situations
Bulimic behavior is generally a maladaptive coping response to stress and
underlying issues. The client must identify anxiety-causing situations that
stimulate the bulimic behavior and then learn new ways of coping with the
anxiety. Be mindful of the patient’s distorted thinking ability. This allows the
caregiver to have more realistic expectations of the patient and provide
appropriate information and support. Listen to or avoid challenging irrational,
illogical thinking. Present reality concisely and briefly. It is difficult to respond
logically when thinking ability is physiologically impaired. The patient needs to
hear reality, but challenging the patient leads to distrust and frustration. Even
though the patient may gain weight, she or he may continue to struggle with
attitudes or behaviors typical of eating disorders, major depression, or alcohol
dependence for a number of years.
5. 5. Question
Rudolf is admitted for an overdose of amphetamines. When assessing the client,
the nurse should expect to see:
A. Tension and irritability
Correct answer
B. Slow pulse
Medication Practice Exam | Graded A+
Study Guide
1. Question
Nurse Jen is caring for a male client with manic depression. The plan of care for a
client in a manic state would include:
A. Offering high-calorie meals and strongly encouraging the client to finish
all food.
B. Insisting that the client remains active through the day so that he’ll sleep at
night.
C. Allowing the client to exhibit hyperactive, demanding, manipulative
behavior without setting limits.
D. Listening attentively with a neutral attitude and avoiding power struggles.
Correct Answer: D. Listening attentively with a neutral attitude and avoiding
power struggles.
The nurse should listen to the client’s requests, express willingness to seriously
consider the request, and respond later. The nurse shouldn’t try to restrain the
client when he feels the need to move around as long as his activity isn’t harmful.
Remain neutral as possible; Do not argue with the client. The client can use
inconsistencies and value judgments as justification for arguing and escalating
mania. Maintain a consistent approach, employ consistent expectations, and
provide a structured environment. Clear and consistent limits and expectations
minimize the potential for client’s manipulation of staff.
2. 2. Question
Ramon is admitted for detoxification after a cocaine overdose. The client tells the
nurse that he frequently uses cocaine but that he can control his use if he
chooses. Which coping mechanism is he using?
A. Withdrawal
, B. Logical thinking
C. Repression
D. Denial
Correct Answer: D. Denial
Denial is an unconscious defense mechanism in which emotional conflict and
anxiety is avoided by refusing to acknowledge feelings, desires, impulses, or
external facts that are consciously intolerable. Denial is a defense mechanism
proposed by Anna Freud which involves a refusal to accept reality, thus blocking
external events from awareness. If a situation is just too much to handle, the
person may respond by refusing to perceive it or by denying that it exists.
3. 3. Question
Richard is admitted with a diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder. Which
signs would this client exhibit during social situations?
A. Aggressive behavior
B. Paranoid thoughts
Correct answer
C. Emotional affect
D. Independence needs
Correct Answer: B. Paranoid thoughts
Clients with schizotypal personality disorder experience excessive social anxiety
that can lead to paranoid thoughts. People with schizotypal personality disorder
are loners who prefer to keep their distance from others and are uncomfortable
being in relationships. They sometimes exhibit odd speech or behavior, and they
have a limited or flat range of emotions. This pattern begins early in adulthood
and continues throughout life.
.
Option D: These clients demonstrate a reduced capacity for close or
dependent relationships. Difficulties in social interactions can lead to personal
disappointment and poor self-image throughout life. These kinds of problems
may become an important focus in psychotherapy. If the problems are more
severe, however, a person with a schizotypal personality disorder may have
more than average difficulty maintaining a job or living independently. For
, example, routine interactions at work may be very awkward or may provoke
anxiety. The person may not be able to accomplish daily tasks like shopping
for food or other necessities.
4. 4. Question
Nurse Mickey is caring for a client diagnosed with bulimia. The most appropriate
initial goal for a client diagnosed with bulimia is to:
A. Avoid shopping for large amounts of food.
B. Control eating impulses.
C. Identify anxiety-causing situations.
Correct answer
D. Eat only three meals per day.
Correct Answer: C. Identify anxiety-causing situations
Bulimic behavior is generally a maladaptive coping response to stress and
underlying issues. The client must identify anxiety-causing situations that
stimulate the bulimic behavior and then learn new ways of coping with the
anxiety. Be mindful of the patient’s distorted thinking ability. This allows the
caregiver to have more realistic expectations of the patient and provide
appropriate information and support. Listen to or avoid challenging irrational,
illogical thinking. Present reality concisely and briefly. It is difficult to respond
logically when thinking ability is physiologically impaired. The patient needs to
hear reality, but challenging the patient leads to distrust and frustration. Even
though the patient may gain weight, she or he may continue to struggle with
attitudes or behaviors typical of eating disorders, major depression, or alcohol
dependence for a number of years.
5. 5. Question
Rudolf is admitted for an overdose of amphetamines. When assessing the client,
the nurse should expect to see:
A. Tension and irritability
Correct answer
B. Slow pulse
