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. - Answer-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. - Answer-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. - Answer-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. - Answer-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. - Answer-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 - Answer-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. - Answer-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. - Answer-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.
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. - Answer-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. - Answer-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. - Answer-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. - Answer-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. - Answer-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 - Answer-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. - Answer-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. - Answer-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.
