Chapter 19. Fundamentals of
Psychopharmacology questions and
verified solutions
Which of the following is part of the ongoing nursing assessments of the client on psychiatric
medications?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. How well the medication is managing the client's symptoms
2. The clients cultural belief system related to illness and medication
3. Whether the medication is causing side effects
4. The client's favorite activities
5. The client's readiness to learn - correct answer Correct Answer: 1,2,3,5
Rationale 1: How well the medication is managing the client's symptoms. The nurse must assess how
effective the medication is in terms of managing the symptoms of the client's illness.
Rationale 2: The clients cultural belief system related to illness and medication. A client's cultural belief
system related to taking medications for behavioral symptoms may impact the client's willingness to
take medications.
Rationale 3: Whether the medication is causing side effects. If a client is having a distressing side effect,
the client may not adhere to the medication treatment regimen.
Rationale 4: The client's favorite activities. The client's favorite activities are not directly related to taking
medications.
Rationale 5: The client's readiness to learn. Ongoing education is vital for adhering to medications and
client's readiness to learn fluctuates throughout the course of the illness.
Which of the following questions would the nurse ask a woman to assess for hyperprolactinemia as a
side effect of an antipsychotic medication?
1. Are you having trouble sitting still?
2. Are you constipated?
, 3. Are you having any discharge from your breasts?
4. Do you have a dry mouth? - correct answer Correct Answer: 3
Galactorrhea is a symptom of hyperprolactinemia. The inability to sit still could be a sign of akathisia. A
dry mouth and constipation are often due to anticholinergic side effects.
Which of the following is a priority assessment for a child in the initial stages of antidepressant
treatment?
1. School successes
2. Food preferences
3. Suicide assessment
4. Family functioning - correct answer Answer: 3
Children, adolescents, and young adults are at risk for suicidal behaviors early in the treatment with
antidepressants. Family functioning, school successes, and eating are important assessments, but not as
important as assessing for lethality/suicidality.
The nurse would be alert to assess for signs of lithium toxicity in a patient with which of the following
lithium levels?
1. 1.5 mEq/l
2. 0.1 mEq/l
3. 0.5 mEq/l
4. 1.0 mEq/l - correct answer Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Significant side effects are often present in clients with a lithium level above 1.2 mEq/l.
The nurse would assess which of the following as early signs of lithium poisoning?
1. Elevated blood pressure, paralysis, and impulsivity2. Cardiac arrest, seizures, and change in level of
consciousness 3. Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and muscle twitching4. Hallucinations, agitation, and
anger - correct answer Correct Answer: 3
Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and muscle twitching are early signs of lithium poisoning. Cardiac arrest,
seizures, and change in level of consciousness are late and life threatening signs that could be avoided if
the early signs are recognized. The combination of hallucinations, agitation, anger, elevated blood
pressure, paralysis, and impulsivity are not early signs of lithium toxicity.
Psychopharmacology questions and
verified solutions
Which of the following is part of the ongoing nursing assessments of the client on psychiatric
medications?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. How well the medication is managing the client's symptoms
2. The clients cultural belief system related to illness and medication
3. Whether the medication is causing side effects
4. The client's favorite activities
5. The client's readiness to learn - correct answer Correct Answer: 1,2,3,5
Rationale 1: How well the medication is managing the client's symptoms. The nurse must assess how
effective the medication is in terms of managing the symptoms of the client's illness.
Rationale 2: The clients cultural belief system related to illness and medication. A client's cultural belief
system related to taking medications for behavioral symptoms may impact the client's willingness to
take medications.
Rationale 3: Whether the medication is causing side effects. If a client is having a distressing side effect,
the client may not adhere to the medication treatment regimen.
Rationale 4: The client's favorite activities. The client's favorite activities are not directly related to taking
medications.
Rationale 5: The client's readiness to learn. Ongoing education is vital for adhering to medications and
client's readiness to learn fluctuates throughout the course of the illness.
Which of the following questions would the nurse ask a woman to assess for hyperprolactinemia as a
side effect of an antipsychotic medication?
1. Are you having trouble sitting still?
2. Are you constipated?
, 3. Are you having any discharge from your breasts?
4. Do you have a dry mouth? - correct answer Correct Answer: 3
Galactorrhea is a symptom of hyperprolactinemia. The inability to sit still could be a sign of akathisia. A
dry mouth and constipation are often due to anticholinergic side effects.
Which of the following is a priority assessment for a child in the initial stages of antidepressant
treatment?
1. School successes
2. Food preferences
3. Suicide assessment
4. Family functioning - correct answer Answer: 3
Children, adolescents, and young adults are at risk for suicidal behaviors early in the treatment with
antidepressants. Family functioning, school successes, and eating are important assessments, but not as
important as assessing for lethality/suicidality.
The nurse would be alert to assess for signs of lithium toxicity in a patient with which of the following
lithium levels?
1. 1.5 mEq/l
2. 0.1 mEq/l
3. 0.5 mEq/l
4. 1.0 mEq/l - correct answer Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Significant side effects are often present in clients with a lithium level above 1.2 mEq/l.
The nurse would assess which of the following as early signs of lithium poisoning?
1. Elevated blood pressure, paralysis, and impulsivity2. Cardiac arrest, seizures, and change in level of
consciousness 3. Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and muscle twitching4. Hallucinations, agitation, and
anger - correct answer Correct Answer: 3
Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and muscle twitching are early signs of lithium poisoning. Cardiac arrest,
seizures, and change in level of consciousness are late and life threatening signs that could be avoided if
the early signs are recognized. The combination of hallucinations, agitation, anger, elevated blood
pressure, paralysis, and impulsivity are not early signs of lithium toxicity.
