Antidepressants Practice Questions
and Answers
A client has been prescribed phenelzine sulfate. When providing teaching, which
food should the nurse instruct the client to avoid eating?
A. Salami
B. Ice cream
C. Leafy greens
D. Apples
✓ ~~~ A. Salami
Why are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) considered the first line of
drug therapy for patients with depression?
A. The medications have fewer anticholinergic effects than alternatives
B. The medications eliminate the risk of suicide during treatment
C. The onset of action is cooler than with other medications
D. The medications have no sexual side effects
✓ ~~~ A. The medications have fewer anticholinergic effects than alternatives
A new mother asks her nurse about the safety is taking St. John's wort for
postpartum depression. What would be the nurse's best response?
A. "St. John's wort is a natural and safe alternative to prescription antidepressants."
,B. "Most experts agree that St. John's wort is effective in treating depression but that
it can contribute to hypertension."
C. "It is not clear that St. John's wort is effective in treating depression, but it won't
cause any harm."
D. "There is insufficient evidence to support the use of St. John's wort, and drug
interactions may be extensive."
✓ ~~~ D. "There is insufficient evidence to support the use of St. John's wort, and drug
interactions may be extensive."
The client is experiencing some slurred speech and the nurse notices tremors. In
reviewing the client's A.M. lab results she focuses on the serum lithium level. Which
finding would indicate that the client is experiencing lithium toxicity?
A. 1.8 mEq/L
B. 1.2 mEq/L
C. 0.8 mEq/L
D. 0.6 mEq/L
✓ ~~~ A. 1.8 mEq/L
A group of students are reviewing information about tricyclic antidepressants and
demonstrate understanding of the material when they identify which drug as also
being indicated for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A. Maprotiline
B. Amoxapine
, C. Clomipramine
D. Desipramine
✓ ~~~ C. Clomipramine
A client is receiving an SSRI. The nurse would inform the client that the full benefits
of the drug may not occur for which time period?
A. 3 weeks
B. 1 week
C. 2 weeks
D. 4 weeks
✓ ~~~ D. 4 weeks
A client with a longstanding diagnosis of depression is being treated with phenelzine.
The client reports the recent use of some over-the-counter flu and cold remedies and
has consequently been admitted for observation and client teaching. Which
assessment should the nurse prioritize?
A. Pain assessment
B. Pulse oximetry
C. Blood pressure monitoring
D. Monitoring the client for tardive dyskinesia
✓ ~~~ C. Blood pressure monitoring
and Answers
A client has been prescribed phenelzine sulfate. When providing teaching, which
food should the nurse instruct the client to avoid eating?
A. Salami
B. Ice cream
C. Leafy greens
D. Apples
✓ ~~~ A. Salami
Why are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) considered the first line of
drug therapy for patients with depression?
A. The medications have fewer anticholinergic effects than alternatives
B. The medications eliminate the risk of suicide during treatment
C. The onset of action is cooler than with other medications
D. The medications have no sexual side effects
✓ ~~~ A. The medications have fewer anticholinergic effects than alternatives
A new mother asks her nurse about the safety is taking St. John's wort for
postpartum depression. What would be the nurse's best response?
A. "St. John's wort is a natural and safe alternative to prescription antidepressants."
,B. "Most experts agree that St. John's wort is effective in treating depression but that
it can contribute to hypertension."
C. "It is not clear that St. John's wort is effective in treating depression, but it won't
cause any harm."
D. "There is insufficient evidence to support the use of St. John's wort, and drug
interactions may be extensive."
✓ ~~~ D. "There is insufficient evidence to support the use of St. John's wort, and drug
interactions may be extensive."
The client is experiencing some slurred speech and the nurse notices tremors. In
reviewing the client's A.M. lab results she focuses on the serum lithium level. Which
finding would indicate that the client is experiencing lithium toxicity?
A. 1.8 mEq/L
B. 1.2 mEq/L
C. 0.8 mEq/L
D. 0.6 mEq/L
✓ ~~~ A. 1.8 mEq/L
A group of students are reviewing information about tricyclic antidepressants and
demonstrate understanding of the material when they identify which drug as also
being indicated for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A. Maprotiline
B. Amoxapine
, C. Clomipramine
D. Desipramine
✓ ~~~ C. Clomipramine
A client is receiving an SSRI. The nurse would inform the client that the full benefits
of the drug may not occur for which time period?
A. 3 weeks
B. 1 week
C. 2 weeks
D. 4 weeks
✓ ~~~ D. 4 weeks
A client with a longstanding diagnosis of depression is being treated with phenelzine.
The client reports the recent use of some over-the-counter flu and cold remedies and
has consequently been admitted for observation and client teaching. Which
assessment should the nurse prioritize?
A. Pain assessment
B. Pulse oximetry
C. Blood pressure monitoring
D. Monitoring the client for tardive dyskinesia
✓ ~~~ C. Blood pressure monitoring
