PSYCHIATRIC/MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
They combat the extrapyramidal side effects of the neuroleptic drug. - ANS A nurse is
administering medications to clients on a psychiatric unit. What does the nurse identify as the
reason that so many psychiatric clients are given the drug benztropine or trihexyphenidyl in
conjunction with the phenothiazine-derivative neuroleptic medications?
Torticollis - ANS acute dystonia that involves muscle spasms of the neck; develops within 1 to
5 days after beginning therapy with a conventional antipsychotic
Tardive dyskinesia - ANS involuntary repetitious tonic muscular spasms that involve the face,
tongue, lips, limbs, and trunk; takes several months to years to develop after the start of
therapy with a conventional antipsychotic
d/c if observed, may be reversible
Pseudoparkinsonism - ANS extrapyramidal tract response that includes masklike facies,
shuffling gait, pill-rolling tremors, stooped posture, and drooling; develops within several days
to 1 month after the start of therapy with a conventional antipsychotic
1
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome - ANS severe, potentially fatal response to conventional
Page
antipsychotics
@COPYRIGHT SIRJOEL 2025/2026
, caused by acute reduction in dopamine activity, precipitating hyperthermia/pyrexia,
tachycardia, tachypnea, unstable blood pressure, dyskinesia, incontinence, decreased level of
consciousness
Clozapine - ANS 2nd gen atypical antipsychotic drug that is more effective than other
second-generation antipsychotics
Seizures, sedation, and akathisia are common side effects
contraindicated in clients with bone marrow depression
may cause agranulocytosis, the client's white blood cell (WBC) count should be monitored
weekly. The drug should be discontinued if the count falls below 3,000/mm 3
use with caution in clients with seizures
Isocarboxazid - ANS MAOI
Circulatory collapse is associated with toxicity
fluphenazine - ANS typical antipsychotic
Acute dystonic reactions such as tremors, dyskinesia, and akathisia are observable side effects
decreased salivating
2
Page
@COPYRIGHT SIRJOEL 2025/2026
NURSING EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
They combat the extrapyramidal side effects of the neuroleptic drug. - ANS A nurse is
administering medications to clients on a psychiatric unit. What does the nurse identify as the
reason that so many psychiatric clients are given the drug benztropine or trihexyphenidyl in
conjunction with the phenothiazine-derivative neuroleptic medications?
Torticollis - ANS acute dystonia that involves muscle spasms of the neck; develops within 1 to
5 days after beginning therapy with a conventional antipsychotic
Tardive dyskinesia - ANS involuntary repetitious tonic muscular spasms that involve the face,
tongue, lips, limbs, and trunk; takes several months to years to develop after the start of
therapy with a conventional antipsychotic
d/c if observed, may be reversible
Pseudoparkinsonism - ANS extrapyramidal tract response that includes masklike facies,
shuffling gait, pill-rolling tremors, stooped posture, and drooling; develops within several days
to 1 month after the start of therapy with a conventional antipsychotic
1
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome - ANS severe, potentially fatal response to conventional
Page
antipsychotics
@COPYRIGHT SIRJOEL 2025/2026
, caused by acute reduction in dopamine activity, precipitating hyperthermia/pyrexia,
tachycardia, tachypnea, unstable blood pressure, dyskinesia, incontinence, decreased level of
consciousness
Clozapine - ANS 2nd gen atypical antipsychotic drug that is more effective than other
second-generation antipsychotics
Seizures, sedation, and akathisia are common side effects
contraindicated in clients with bone marrow depression
may cause agranulocytosis, the client's white blood cell (WBC) count should be monitored
weekly. The drug should be discontinued if the count falls below 3,000/mm 3
use with caution in clients with seizures
Isocarboxazid - ANS MAOI
Circulatory collapse is associated with toxicity
fluphenazine - ANS typical antipsychotic
Acute dystonic reactions such as tremors, dyskinesia, and akathisia are observable side effects
decreased salivating
2
Page
@COPYRIGHT SIRJOEL 2025/2026
