Psychotropic Medications Nursing Exam
Questions And Answers | Latest 2026
Update Verified Questions | Verified
Rationales Graded A+
Section 1: Antipsychotics (First-Generation / Typical)
(Questions 1–15)
1. A client with schizophrenia has been taking haloperidol
(Haldol) for 2 years. The nurse notices tongue protrusion,
lip smacking, and choreiform movements. The nurse
suspects:
A. Acute dystonia
B. Tardive dyskinesia
C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
D. Akathisia
Answer: B
Rationale: Tardive dyskinesia (late onset, involuntary
,movements of tongue, face, trunk) is caused by long-term
antipsychotics. Acute dystonia occurs early; NMS includes fever,
rigidity, autonomic instability; akathisia is restlessness.
2. A client is started on haloperidol (Haldol). Two days later,
the client develops torticollis (neck spasm) and oculogyric
crisis (eyes rolling upward). The nurse should:
A. Administer benztropine (Cogentin) IM as ordered
B. Administer additional haloperidol
C. Restrain the client
D. Call the provider for a different antipsychotic
Answer: A
Rationale: Acute dystonia is treated with anticholinergic
medications (benztropine, diphenhydramine). Haloperidol
should be held or reduced.
3. Which of the following is a first-generation (typical)
antipsychotic?
A. Risperidone (Risperdal)
B. Haloperidol (Haldol)
C. Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
D. Quetiapine (Seroquel)
,Answer: B
Rationale: Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic (high potency).
Risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine are second-generation
(atypical).
4. A client on fluphenazine (Prolixin) develops parkinsonian
symptoms (rigidity, shuffling gait, tremor). The nurse
should anticipate an order for:
A. Benztropine (Cogentin)
B. Propranolol (Inderal)
C. Clozapine (Clozaril)
D. Lithium
Answer: A
Rationale: Anticholinergic medications (benztropine,
trihexyphenidyl) are used to treat drug-induced parkinsonism.
Propranolol is for akathisia.
5. A client with schizophrenia is prescribed chlorpromazine
(Thorazine). The nurse should monitor for which adverse
effect?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Orthostatic hypotension and sedation
, C. Weight loss
D. Hyperprolactinemia only
Answer: B
Rationale: Low-potency typical antipsychotics (chlorpromazine,
thioridazine) cause significant sedation, orthostatic
hypotension, and anticholinergic effects. Agranulocytosis is rare
with typicals.
6. The nurse is teaching a client about haloperidol
decanoate (Haldol Deconate). Which statement is correct?
A. “This is a short-acting oral medication.”
B. “It is a long-acting injectable given every 2–4 weeks.”
C. “You will not need any oral antipsychotics.”
D. “It has no side effects.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Haloperidol decanoate is a depot (long-acting)
injection for maintenance therapy. Oral supplementation may
be needed during the first few weeks.
7. A client on haloperidol complains of restlessness and an
inability to sit still. The nurse identifies this as:
A. Dystonia
Questions And Answers | Latest 2026
Update Verified Questions | Verified
Rationales Graded A+
Section 1: Antipsychotics (First-Generation / Typical)
(Questions 1–15)
1. A client with schizophrenia has been taking haloperidol
(Haldol) for 2 years. The nurse notices tongue protrusion,
lip smacking, and choreiform movements. The nurse
suspects:
A. Acute dystonia
B. Tardive dyskinesia
C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
D. Akathisia
Answer: B
Rationale: Tardive dyskinesia (late onset, involuntary
,movements of tongue, face, trunk) is caused by long-term
antipsychotics. Acute dystonia occurs early; NMS includes fever,
rigidity, autonomic instability; akathisia is restlessness.
2. A client is started on haloperidol (Haldol). Two days later,
the client develops torticollis (neck spasm) and oculogyric
crisis (eyes rolling upward). The nurse should:
A. Administer benztropine (Cogentin) IM as ordered
B. Administer additional haloperidol
C. Restrain the client
D. Call the provider for a different antipsychotic
Answer: A
Rationale: Acute dystonia is treated with anticholinergic
medications (benztropine, diphenhydramine). Haloperidol
should be held or reduced.
3. Which of the following is a first-generation (typical)
antipsychotic?
A. Risperidone (Risperdal)
B. Haloperidol (Haldol)
C. Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
D. Quetiapine (Seroquel)
,Answer: B
Rationale: Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic (high potency).
Risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine are second-generation
(atypical).
4. A client on fluphenazine (Prolixin) develops parkinsonian
symptoms (rigidity, shuffling gait, tremor). The nurse
should anticipate an order for:
A. Benztropine (Cogentin)
B. Propranolol (Inderal)
C. Clozapine (Clozaril)
D. Lithium
Answer: A
Rationale: Anticholinergic medications (benztropine,
trihexyphenidyl) are used to treat drug-induced parkinsonism.
Propranolol is for akathisia.
5. A client with schizophrenia is prescribed chlorpromazine
(Thorazine). The nurse should monitor for which adverse
effect?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Orthostatic hypotension and sedation
, C. Weight loss
D. Hyperprolactinemia only
Answer: B
Rationale: Low-potency typical antipsychotics (chlorpromazine,
thioridazine) cause significant sedation, orthostatic
hypotension, and anticholinergic effects. Agranulocytosis is rare
with typicals.
6. The nurse is teaching a client about haloperidol
decanoate (Haldol Deconate). Which statement is correct?
A. “This is a short-acting oral medication.”
B. “It is a long-acting injectable given every 2–4 weeks.”
C. “You will not need any oral antipsychotics.”
D. “It has no side effects.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Haloperidol decanoate is a depot (long-acting)
injection for maintenance therapy. Oral supplementation may
be needed during the first few weeks.
7. A client on haloperidol complains of restlessness and an
inability to sit still. The nurse identifies this as:
A. Dystonia
