PSYCHIATRIC/MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
Actual Questions and Answers
Expert-Verified Explanation
This Exam contains:
✪ 40 Questions and Answers
✪ Multiple-choice and True/False Format
✪ Expert-Verified Explanations
✪ Verified with Trusted Textbooks
1.
A nurse is administering medications to clients on a psychiatric unit. Why are drugs like
benztropine or trihexyphenidyl often given alongside phenothiazine-derived neuroleptics?
A. To treat psychosis
B. To reduce sedation
C. To combat extrapyramidal side effects
D. To enhance absorption
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: Benztropine and trihexyphenidyl are anticholinergic drugs that reduce
extrapyramidal symptoms like dystonia and parkinsonism caused by neuroleptics.
2.
What is torticollis in the psychiatric setting?
A. A symptom of schizophrenia
B. A reaction to benzodiazepines
C. Acute dystonia of neck muscles
D. A manic symptom
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: Torticollis is a painful, sustained contraction of the neck muscles, typically
occurring 1 to 5 days after starting antipsychotics.
3.
Which describes tardive dyskinesia?
A. Sudden onset tremors
B. Reversible spasms
C. Involuntary facial and limb movements
D. Painful neck contractions
, Answer: C
EXPLANATION: Tardive dyskinesia involves repetitive, involuntary movements of the face
and limbs and can be irreversible.
4.
Which of the following best describes pseudoparkinsonism?
A. A seizure disorder
B. Facial tics and stuttering
C. Masklike face, shuffling gait, tremors
D. Hallucinations
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: Pseudoparkinsonism mimics Parkinson's symptoms due to dopamine
blockade from antipsychotics.
5.
What is Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)?
A. A mild flu-like reaction
B. A non-serious side effect
C. A life-threatening response with hyperthermia and rigidity
D. A typical withdrawal symptom
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: NMS is a serious reaction characterized by fever, muscle rigidity, autonomic
instability, and altered consciousness.
6.
Which adverse effect requires weekly WBC monitoring when using clozapine?
A. Hypertension
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Tardive dyskinesia
D. Photosensitivity
Answer: B
EXPLANATION: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a severe drop in WBCs, making blood
monitoring essential.
7.
Actual Questions and Answers
Expert-Verified Explanation
This Exam contains:
✪ 40 Questions and Answers
✪ Multiple-choice and True/False Format
✪ Expert-Verified Explanations
✪ Verified with Trusted Textbooks
1.
A nurse is administering medications to clients on a psychiatric unit. Why are drugs like
benztropine or trihexyphenidyl often given alongside phenothiazine-derived neuroleptics?
A. To treat psychosis
B. To reduce sedation
C. To combat extrapyramidal side effects
D. To enhance absorption
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: Benztropine and trihexyphenidyl are anticholinergic drugs that reduce
extrapyramidal symptoms like dystonia and parkinsonism caused by neuroleptics.
2.
What is torticollis in the psychiatric setting?
A. A symptom of schizophrenia
B. A reaction to benzodiazepines
C. Acute dystonia of neck muscles
D. A manic symptom
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: Torticollis is a painful, sustained contraction of the neck muscles, typically
occurring 1 to 5 days after starting antipsychotics.
3.
Which describes tardive dyskinesia?
A. Sudden onset tremors
B. Reversible spasms
C. Involuntary facial and limb movements
D. Painful neck contractions
, Answer: C
EXPLANATION: Tardive dyskinesia involves repetitive, involuntary movements of the face
and limbs and can be irreversible.
4.
Which of the following best describes pseudoparkinsonism?
A. A seizure disorder
B. Facial tics and stuttering
C. Masklike face, shuffling gait, tremors
D. Hallucinations
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: Pseudoparkinsonism mimics Parkinson's symptoms due to dopamine
blockade from antipsychotics.
5.
What is Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)?
A. A mild flu-like reaction
B. A non-serious side effect
C. A life-threatening response with hyperthermia and rigidity
D. A typical withdrawal symptom
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: NMS is a serious reaction characterized by fever, muscle rigidity, autonomic
instability, and altered consciousness.
6.
Which adverse effect requires weekly WBC monitoring when using clozapine?
A. Hypertension
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Tardive dyskinesia
D. Photosensitivity
Answer: B
EXPLANATION: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a severe drop in WBCs, making blood
monitoring essential.
7.
