Psychiatric Technician Pharmacology
Board Exam Review Questions
1. The psychiatrist prescribes alprazolam (Xanax), a benzodiazepine, for acute anxiety
experienced by a client with agoraphobia. Health teaching should include instructions
about:
A. A tyramine- free diet.
B. Adjusting dose and frequency of ingestion based on level of anxiety.
C. Avoiding alcoholic beverages.
D. Reporting dry mouth. correct answers C. Avoiding alcoholic beverages.
Rationale: When prescribing alprazolam (Xanax), a benzodiazepine, for acute anxiety in
a client with agoraphobia, it is important to instruct the client to avoid alcoholic
beverages. Benzodiazepines like alprazolam can enhance the sedative effects of
alcohol, leading to increased drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination.
Combining benzodiazepines with alcohol can also result in severe central nervous
system depression, respiratory depression, and even overdose. Therefore, it is
essential to educate the client about the potential dangers of consuming alcohol while
taking alprazolam.
2. How often and what dosage is alprazolam (Xanax) given to clients?
A. 0.25-1.0 mg. b.i.d.
B. 0.25-0.5 mg. t.i.d.
C. 0.5-1.0 mg. t.i.d.
D. 0.5-1.0 mg. q.i.d. correct answers B: 0.25-0.5 mg t.i.d.
The rationale for this dosage is as follows:
Individualized treatment: The dosage of alprazolam can vary depending on factors such
as the severity of the anxiety disorder, the patient's response to the medication, and
their medical history. It is essential for healthcare providers to tailor the dosage to the
specific needs of each patient.
Gradual titration: Starting with a lower dosage, such as 0.25-0.5 mg, allows for a
cautious approach to treatment. It helps to minimize the risk of side effects and allows
the healthcare provider to assess the patient's response before potentially adjusting the
dosage.
Therapeutic effect: Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine medication that acts as an anxiolytic
and can provide relief from anxiety symptoms. The dosage range of 0.25-0.5 mg has
been found effective for many individuals in managing anxiety disorders, providing the
desired therapeutic effect.
,3. The psychiatric technician is to give Haldol Decanoate 300 mg IM to a client. The
label on the ampule reads Haldol Decanoate 100mg/ml. The hospital policy states that
no more than 2 ml can be given to a client in one site. The psychiatric technician will
give:
A. 2 ml. in one site and 2 ml in another site.
B. 1 ml. in one site and then one hour later give 2 ml. in the same site.
C. 1 1/2 ml. in one site and 1 1/2 ml in another site.
D. 1 1/2 ml. in one site. correct answers C. 1 1/2 ml. in one site and 1 1/2 ml. in another
site.
Rationale: The label on the ampule indicates that Haldol Decanoate has a concentration
of 100 mg/ml. The prescribed dose is 300 mg. Since the hospital policy states that no
more than 2 ml can be given at one site, the psychiatric technician will need to split the
dose between two injection sites. Each site can receive a maximum of 2 ml, so the
technician will administer 1 1/2 ml (150 mg) in one site and another 1 1/2 ml (150 mg) in
another site to achieve the total prescribed dose of 300 mg.
4. Mr. Jones goes to his family physician complaining of a gnawing pain in his
abdomen. He has had a lot of stress lately at work and has been taking a corticosteriod
medication. The physician diagnoses the problem to be a peptic ulcer. The most likely
medication the physician will prescribe for Mr. Jones is:
A. chlorzoxazone.
B. methsuximide.
C. furazolidone.
D. famotidine. correct answers D. famotidine.
Rationale: Given the symptoms of a gnawing pain in the abdomen and the patient's
recent stress and corticosteroid use, the physician is likely to diagnose a peptic ulcer.
The most likely medication that the physician will prescribe for Mr. Jones is famotidine.
Famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist that reduces the production of stomach
acid, providing relief from symptoms and promoting the healing of peptic ulcers.
5. The psychiatric technician is to give 400 mg of chlorpromazine to the client at 1200.
There are both 100 mg and 200 mg tablets of chlorpromazine in the client's medication
cassette. The psychiatric technician would give:
A. Four of the 100 mg. tablets.
B. Two of the 100 mg. tablets.
C. Two of the 200 mg. tablets.
D. One 100 mg. tablet and one 200 mg. tablet. correct answers B. two of the 200 mg
tablets.
Rationale:
To administer 400 mg of chlorpromazine to the client, we need to select the combination
of tablets that adds up to the desired dosage. Since there are both 100 mg and 200 mg
tablets available, we need to determine the combination that adds up to 400 mg.
, 6. The doctor has ordered 10 mg of a medication and the label on the bottle reads 0.005
grams
per tablet. How many tablets should the client receive?
A. One
B. One and a half
C. Two
D. Three correct answers C. Two
Rationale: Since 1 gram is equal to 1000 milligrams, we can convert the weight of each
tablet from grams to milligrams:
0.005 grams = 0.005 * 1000 mg = 5 mg
Now we can compare the ordered dose of 10 mg with the dose contained in each tablet
(5 mg).
10 mg / 5 mg = 2 tablets
7. Acyclovir is the first drug known to successfully treat genital herpes. The brand name
for this medication is:
A. Zovirax.
B. Mezlin.
C. Zanthine.
D. Zidovudine. correct answers A. Zovirax
Rationale: is that Zovirax is a well-known brand name for the drug acyclovir, which is
widely used to treat genital herpes.
8. The psychiatric technician just received an order for lithium carbonate for a new
client. This medication would be written as:
A. Li2 Co3
B. Li3 Co.
C. Li Co3.
D. Li Co. correct answers A: Li2 Co3.
Rationale: Lithium carbonate is a compound consisting of lithium (Li) and carbonate
(CO3) ions. In a chemical formula, the subscript numbers indicate the number of atoms
present for each element. Therefore, the correct notation for lithium carbonate is
Li2Co3.
9. A depressed client who is receiving a tricyclic antidepressant tells the nurse, "My
mood is a little better, but I'm so sleepy all the time that I can't do much of anything."
The psychiatric technician should:
A. Tell the client that the sleepiness will wear off in about 12 weeks.
B. Ask the physician if the medication can be administered at h.s
C. Withhold the drug until the physician examines the client.
Board Exam Review Questions
1. The psychiatrist prescribes alprazolam (Xanax), a benzodiazepine, for acute anxiety
experienced by a client with agoraphobia. Health teaching should include instructions
about:
A. A tyramine- free diet.
B. Adjusting dose and frequency of ingestion based on level of anxiety.
C. Avoiding alcoholic beverages.
D. Reporting dry mouth. correct answers C. Avoiding alcoholic beverages.
Rationale: When prescribing alprazolam (Xanax), a benzodiazepine, for acute anxiety in
a client with agoraphobia, it is important to instruct the client to avoid alcoholic
beverages. Benzodiazepines like alprazolam can enhance the sedative effects of
alcohol, leading to increased drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination.
Combining benzodiazepines with alcohol can also result in severe central nervous
system depression, respiratory depression, and even overdose. Therefore, it is
essential to educate the client about the potential dangers of consuming alcohol while
taking alprazolam.
2. How often and what dosage is alprazolam (Xanax) given to clients?
A. 0.25-1.0 mg. b.i.d.
B. 0.25-0.5 mg. t.i.d.
C. 0.5-1.0 mg. t.i.d.
D. 0.5-1.0 mg. q.i.d. correct answers B: 0.25-0.5 mg t.i.d.
The rationale for this dosage is as follows:
Individualized treatment: The dosage of alprazolam can vary depending on factors such
as the severity of the anxiety disorder, the patient's response to the medication, and
their medical history. It is essential for healthcare providers to tailor the dosage to the
specific needs of each patient.
Gradual titration: Starting with a lower dosage, such as 0.25-0.5 mg, allows for a
cautious approach to treatment. It helps to minimize the risk of side effects and allows
the healthcare provider to assess the patient's response before potentially adjusting the
dosage.
Therapeutic effect: Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine medication that acts as an anxiolytic
and can provide relief from anxiety symptoms. The dosage range of 0.25-0.5 mg has
been found effective for many individuals in managing anxiety disorders, providing the
desired therapeutic effect.
,3. The psychiatric technician is to give Haldol Decanoate 300 mg IM to a client. The
label on the ampule reads Haldol Decanoate 100mg/ml. The hospital policy states that
no more than 2 ml can be given to a client in one site. The psychiatric technician will
give:
A. 2 ml. in one site and 2 ml in another site.
B. 1 ml. in one site and then one hour later give 2 ml. in the same site.
C. 1 1/2 ml. in one site and 1 1/2 ml in another site.
D. 1 1/2 ml. in one site. correct answers C. 1 1/2 ml. in one site and 1 1/2 ml. in another
site.
Rationale: The label on the ampule indicates that Haldol Decanoate has a concentration
of 100 mg/ml. The prescribed dose is 300 mg. Since the hospital policy states that no
more than 2 ml can be given at one site, the psychiatric technician will need to split the
dose between two injection sites. Each site can receive a maximum of 2 ml, so the
technician will administer 1 1/2 ml (150 mg) in one site and another 1 1/2 ml (150 mg) in
another site to achieve the total prescribed dose of 300 mg.
4. Mr. Jones goes to his family physician complaining of a gnawing pain in his
abdomen. He has had a lot of stress lately at work and has been taking a corticosteriod
medication. The physician diagnoses the problem to be a peptic ulcer. The most likely
medication the physician will prescribe for Mr. Jones is:
A. chlorzoxazone.
B. methsuximide.
C. furazolidone.
D. famotidine. correct answers D. famotidine.
Rationale: Given the symptoms of a gnawing pain in the abdomen and the patient's
recent stress and corticosteroid use, the physician is likely to diagnose a peptic ulcer.
The most likely medication that the physician will prescribe for Mr. Jones is famotidine.
Famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist that reduces the production of stomach
acid, providing relief from symptoms and promoting the healing of peptic ulcers.
5. The psychiatric technician is to give 400 mg of chlorpromazine to the client at 1200.
There are both 100 mg and 200 mg tablets of chlorpromazine in the client's medication
cassette. The psychiatric technician would give:
A. Four of the 100 mg. tablets.
B. Two of the 100 mg. tablets.
C. Two of the 200 mg. tablets.
D. One 100 mg. tablet and one 200 mg. tablet. correct answers B. two of the 200 mg
tablets.
Rationale:
To administer 400 mg of chlorpromazine to the client, we need to select the combination
of tablets that adds up to the desired dosage. Since there are both 100 mg and 200 mg
tablets available, we need to determine the combination that adds up to 400 mg.
, 6. The doctor has ordered 10 mg of a medication and the label on the bottle reads 0.005
grams
per tablet. How many tablets should the client receive?
A. One
B. One and a half
C. Two
D. Three correct answers C. Two
Rationale: Since 1 gram is equal to 1000 milligrams, we can convert the weight of each
tablet from grams to milligrams:
0.005 grams = 0.005 * 1000 mg = 5 mg
Now we can compare the ordered dose of 10 mg with the dose contained in each tablet
(5 mg).
10 mg / 5 mg = 2 tablets
7. Acyclovir is the first drug known to successfully treat genital herpes. The brand name
for this medication is:
A. Zovirax.
B. Mezlin.
C. Zanthine.
D. Zidovudine. correct answers A. Zovirax
Rationale: is that Zovirax is a well-known brand name for the drug acyclovir, which is
widely used to treat genital herpes.
8. The psychiatric technician just received an order for lithium carbonate for a new
client. This medication would be written as:
A. Li2 Co3
B. Li3 Co.
C. Li Co3.
D. Li Co. correct answers A: Li2 Co3.
Rationale: Lithium carbonate is a compound consisting of lithium (Li) and carbonate
(CO3) ions. In a chemical formula, the subscript numbers indicate the number of atoms
present for each element. Therefore, the correct notation for lithium carbonate is
Li2Co3.
9. A depressed client who is receiving a tricyclic antidepressant tells the nurse, "My
mood is a little better, but I'm so sleepy all the time that I can't do much of anything."
The psychiatric technician should:
A. Tell the client that the sleepiness will wear off in about 12 weeks.
B. Ask the physician if the medication can be administered at h.s
C. Withhold the drug until the physician examines the client.
