Psychiatric Medications and Nursing Care
Test Questions And Answers With Verified
Rationales | 2026/27 Qs & Ans | Digital Pdf
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1. Which class of medication is commonly used as a first-line treatment for
major depressive disorder?
A. Antipsychotics
B. Mood stabilizers
C. SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
D. Benzodiazepines
Rationale: SSRIs are first-line medications for depression due to
effectiveness and safety profile.
2. A client taking fluoxetine should be taught that therapeutic effects may
take:
A. 1–2 hours
B. 1–2 days
C. 2–4 weeks
D. 6–12 hours
Rationale: SSRIs require several weeks to achieve full therapeutic effect.
,3. Which symptom is a common side effect of antipsychotic medications?
A. Hypotension only
B. Hyperglycemia only
C. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
D. Renal failure
Rationale: EPS such as tremors and rigidity are common antipsychotic side
effects.
4. Which medication is used to treat acute agitation in schizophrenia?
A. Lithium
B. Sertraline
C. Haloperidol
D. Diazepam only
Rationale: Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic used for acute psychosis.
5. Which finding suggests neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)?
A. Mild headache
B. Increased appetite
C. High fever and muscle rigidity
D. Mild anxiety
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics.
,6. A client taking lithium should be monitored for:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Serum lithium levels and toxicity signs
C. Kidney stones only
D. Vision changes only
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range.
7. Which symptom indicates lithium toxicity?
A. Increased energy
B. Tremors, vomiting, confusion
C. Euphoria
D. Increased appetite
Rationale: Lithium toxicity affects neurological and GI systems.
8. Which medication is a benzodiazepine?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Haloperidol
C. Lorazepam
D. Risperidone
Rationale: Lorazepam is used for anxiety and sedation.
, 9. Which instruction is important for clients taking MAOIs?
A. Eat aged cheese freely
B. Avoid protein
C. Avoid tyramine-rich foods
D. Increase salt intake
Rationale: Tyramine can cause hypertensive crisis with MAOIs.
10. A dangerous reaction between SSRIs and MAOIs may cause:
A. Liver failure
B. Kidney stones
C. Serotonin syndrome
D. Diabetes
Rationale: Excess serotonin causes serotonin syndrome.
11. Which symptom is seen in serotonin syndrome?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypothermia
C. Agitation and hyperreflexia
D. Constipation
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome causes neuromuscular and autonomic
symptoms.
Test Questions And Answers With Verified
Rationales | 2026/27 Qs & Ans | Digital Pdf
Download
1. Which class of medication is commonly used as a first-line treatment for
major depressive disorder?
A. Antipsychotics
B. Mood stabilizers
C. SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
D. Benzodiazepines
Rationale: SSRIs are first-line medications for depression due to
effectiveness and safety profile.
2. A client taking fluoxetine should be taught that therapeutic effects may
take:
A. 1–2 hours
B. 1–2 days
C. 2–4 weeks
D. 6–12 hours
Rationale: SSRIs require several weeks to achieve full therapeutic effect.
,3. Which symptom is a common side effect of antipsychotic medications?
A. Hypotension only
B. Hyperglycemia only
C. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
D. Renal failure
Rationale: EPS such as tremors and rigidity are common antipsychotic side
effects.
4. Which medication is used to treat acute agitation in schizophrenia?
A. Lithium
B. Sertraline
C. Haloperidol
D. Diazepam only
Rationale: Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic used for acute psychosis.
5. Which finding suggests neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)?
A. Mild headache
B. Increased appetite
C. High fever and muscle rigidity
D. Mild anxiety
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics.
,6. A client taking lithium should be monitored for:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Serum lithium levels and toxicity signs
C. Kidney stones only
D. Vision changes only
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range.
7. Which symptom indicates lithium toxicity?
A. Increased energy
B. Tremors, vomiting, confusion
C. Euphoria
D. Increased appetite
Rationale: Lithium toxicity affects neurological and GI systems.
8. Which medication is a benzodiazepine?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Haloperidol
C. Lorazepam
D. Risperidone
Rationale: Lorazepam is used for anxiety and sedation.
, 9. Which instruction is important for clients taking MAOIs?
A. Eat aged cheese freely
B. Avoid protein
C. Avoid tyramine-rich foods
D. Increase salt intake
Rationale: Tyramine can cause hypertensive crisis with MAOIs.
10. A dangerous reaction between SSRIs and MAOIs may cause:
A. Liver failure
B. Kidney stones
C. Serotonin syndrome
D. Diabetes
Rationale: Excess serotonin causes serotonin syndrome.
11. Which symptom is seen in serotonin syndrome?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypothermia
C. Agitation and hyperreflexia
D. Constipation
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome causes neuromuscular and autonomic
symptoms.
