Chapter 17: Psychotherapeutic Drugs
Sealock: Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When administering an intramuscular injection of risperidone (Risperdal Consta®), the nurse tells the
patient that this medication dosage will be effective for how long?
a. 24 hours b. 48 hours c. 1 week
d. 2 weeks
ANS: D
The long-acting injectable form of risperidone Risperdal Consta®, and one intramuscular injection lasts
approximately 2 weeks.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
2. Before beginning therapy with fluoxetine (Prozac), the nurse should assess for concurrent use of
which medication?
a. acetylsalicylic acid
b. warfarin sodium
c. Diuretics
d. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
ANS: B
The use of second-generation antidepressants (such as fluoxetine) with warfarin results in an increased
anticoagulant effect.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
3. When the nurse is teaching the patient about monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which is
important to emphasize?
a. Serum blood levels should be drawn every 2 weeks.
b. If drowsiness occurs, stop the medication immediately.
c. Drowsiness should decrease after the first few weeks of therapy.
d. Foods high in tyramine—such as cheese, beer, and wine—must be avoided.
ANS: D
, If a patient is taking an MAOI, caution the patient to avoid over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu products.
Foods or beverages high in tyramine must also be avoided.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
4. A patient has been taking haloperidol for 3 months for a psychotic disorder. Because the nurse is
concerned about the development of extrapyramidal symptoms, the patient will be monitored for which
symptom?
a. Cogwheel rigidity and blurred vision
b. Drowsiness and dizziness
c. Motor restlessness and muscle spasms
d. Dry mouth and constipation
ANS: C
Extrapyramidal symptoms are involuntary motor symptoms similar to those associated with Parkinson’s
disease. This drug-induced state is known as pseudoparkinsonism and is characterized by symptoms
such as akathisia (distressing motor restlessness) and
acute dystonia (painful muscle spasms).
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
5. A patient has been taking the MAOI phenelzine (Nardil®) for 6 months. The patient says he’s going
out to the local bar to meet a
few friends for a beer. What important information should the nurse tell this patient?
a. Drinking beer is permitted as long as there is a designated driver.
b. He has no further dietary restrictions because he has taken the last dosage.
c. If he begins to experience a throbbing headache, rapid pulse, or nausea, he should stop
drinking.
d. He needs to avoid foods with tyramine while on this medication.
ANS: D
Patients taking an MAOI need to be cautioned about avoiding OTC cold and flu products as well as foods
or beverages high in tyramine.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
6. A 22-year-old female has been taking lithium (Carbolith®) for 6 months. She has blood work every
month, and the nurse assesses her for signs of toxicity. What are the indications of toxicity?
a. Serum lithium level of 0.8 mmol/L and excitability b.
Serum lithium level of 1.0 mmol/L and palpitations c.
Serum lithium level of 1.3 mmol/L and hypertension
d. Serum lithium level of 2.3 mmol/L and cardiac dysrhythmias
ANS: D
Sealock: Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When administering an intramuscular injection of risperidone (Risperdal Consta®), the nurse tells the
patient that this medication dosage will be effective for how long?
a. 24 hours b. 48 hours c. 1 week
d. 2 weeks
ANS: D
The long-acting injectable form of risperidone Risperdal Consta®, and one intramuscular injection lasts
approximately 2 weeks.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
2. Before beginning therapy with fluoxetine (Prozac), the nurse should assess for concurrent use of
which medication?
a. acetylsalicylic acid
b. warfarin sodium
c. Diuretics
d. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
ANS: B
The use of second-generation antidepressants (such as fluoxetine) with warfarin results in an increased
anticoagulant effect.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
3. When the nurse is teaching the patient about monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which is
important to emphasize?
a. Serum blood levels should be drawn every 2 weeks.
b. If drowsiness occurs, stop the medication immediately.
c. Drowsiness should decrease after the first few weeks of therapy.
d. Foods high in tyramine—such as cheese, beer, and wine—must be avoided.
ANS: D
, If a patient is taking an MAOI, caution the patient to avoid over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu products.
Foods or beverages high in tyramine must also be avoided.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
4. A patient has been taking haloperidol for 3 months for a psychotic disorder. Because the nurse is
concerned about the development of extrapyramidal symptoms, the patient will be monitored for which
symptom?
a. Cogwheel rigidity and blurred vision
b. Drowsiness and dizziness
c. Motor restlessness and muscle spasms
d. Dry mouth and constipation
ANS: C
Extrapyramidal symptoms are involuntary motor symptoms similar to those associated with Parkinson’s
disease. This drug-induced state is known as pseudoparkinsonism and is characterized by symptoms
such as akathisia (distressing motor restlessness) and
acute dystonia (painful muscle spasms).
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
5. A patient has been taking the MAOI phenelzine (Nardil®) for 6 months. The patient says he’s going
out to the local bar to meet a
few friends for a beer. What important information should the nurse tell this patient?
a. Drinking beer is permitted as long as there is a designated driver.
b. He has no further dietary restrictions because he has taken the last dosage.
c. If he begins to experience a throbbing headache, rapid pulse, or nausea, he should stop
drinking.
d. He needs to avoid foods with tyramine while on this medication.
ANS: D
Patients taking an MAOI need to be cautioned about avoiding OTC cold and flu products as well as foods
or beverages high in tyramine.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
6. A 22-year-old female has been taking lithium (Carbolith®) for 6 months. She has blood work every
month, and the nurse assesses her for signs of toxicity. What are the indications of toxicity?
a. Serum lithium level of 0.8 mmol/L and excitability b.
Serum lithium level of 1.0 mmol/L and palpitations c.
Serum lithium level of 1.3 mmol/L and hypertension
d. Serum lithium level of 2.3 mmol/L and cardiac dysrhythmias
ANS: D
