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Psychopharmacology. Questions and
Correct Answers/ Latest Update / Already
Graded
The nurse manager on the psychiatric unit was explaining to the new
staff the differences between typical and atypical antipsychotics. The
nurse correctly states that atypical antipsychotics:
a. Remain in the system longer
b. Act more quickly to reduce delusions
c. Produce fewer extrapyramidal effects
d. Are risk free for neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
Ans: C
(Atypical antipsychotics produce less D2 blockade; thus
movement disorders are less of a problem. No evidence
suggests that the medication remains in the system longer nor
that it acts more quickly to reduce delusions. The atypicals are
not risk free for NMS.)
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The nurse would assess for neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) if a
patient on haloperidol (Haldol) develops a:
a. 30 mm Hg decrease in blood pressure reading
b. Respiratory rate of 24 respirations per minute
c. Temperature reading of 104 F
d. Pulse rate of 70 beats per minute
Ans: C
(Increased temperature is the cardinal sign of NMS. This BP is
not a significant feature of NMS. There are no significant
findings to support the options related to respirations or pulse
rate.)
A patient taking fluphenazine (Prolixin) complains of dry mouth and
blurred vision. What would the nurse assess as the likely cause of these
symptoms?
a. Decreased dopamine at receptor sites
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b. Blockade of histamine
c. Cholinergic blockade
d. Adrenergic blocking
Ans: C
(Fluphenazine administration produces blockade of cholinergic
receptors giving rise to anticholinergic effects, such as dry
mouth, blurred vision, and constipation.)
Which behavior displayed by a patient receiving a typical antipsychotic
medication would be assessed as displaying behaviors characteristic of
tardive dyskinesia (TD)?
a. Grimacing and lip smacking
b. Falling asleep in the chair and refusing to eat lunch
c. Experiencing muscle rigidity and tremors
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d. Having excessive salivation and drooling
Ans: A
(TD manifests as abnormal movements of voluntary muscle
groups after a prolonged period of dopamine blockade.
Movements may affect any muscle group, but muscles of the
face, mouth, tongue, and digits are commonly affected. Falling
asleep is reflective of the sedative effect of these medications.
Muscle rigidity and drooling reflect EPS caused from imbalance
between dopamine and acetylcholine.)
When the nurse realizes that a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is
not taking the prescribed oral haloperidol (Haldol), which intervention
would promote medication compliance?
a. Instructing the patient to have friends monitor his medications
b. Beginning administration of haloperidol (Haldol) decanoate
c. Writing instructions in detail for the patient to follow
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
Psychopharmacology. Questions and
Correct Answers/ Latest Update / Already
Graded
The nurse manager on the psychiatric unit was explaining to the new
staff the differences between typical and atypical antipsychotics. The
nurse correctly states that atypical antipsychotics:
a. Remain in the system longer
b. Act more quickly to reduce delusions
c. Produce fewer extrapyramidal effects
d. Are risk free for neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
Ans: C
(Atypical antipsychotics produce less D2 blockade; thus
movement disorders are less of a problem. No evidence
suggests that the medication remains in the system longer nor
that it acts more quickly to reduce delusions. The atypicals are
not risk free for NMS.)
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
The nurse would assess for neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) if a
patient on haloperidol (Haldol) develops a:
a. 30 mm Hg decrease in blood pressure reading
b. Respiratory rate of 24 respirations per minute
c. Temperature reading of 104 F
d. Pulse rate of 70 beats per minute
Ans: C
(Increased temperature is the cardinal sign of NMS. This BP is
not a significant feature of NMS. There are no significant
findings to support the options related to respirations or pulse
rate.)
A patient taking fluphenazine (Prolixin) complains of dry mouth and
blurred vision. What would the nurse assess as the likely cause of these
symptoms?
a. Decreased dopamine at receptor sites
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
b. Blockade of histamine
c. Cholinergic blockade
d. Adrenergic blocking
Ans: C
(Fluphenazine administration produces blockade of cholinergic
receptors giving rise to anticholinergic effects, such as dry
mouth, blurred vision, and constipation.)
Which behavior displayed by a patient receiving a typical antipsychotic
medication would be assessed as displaying behaviors characteristic of
tardive dyskinesia (TD)?
a. Grimacing and lip smacking
b. Falling asleep in the chair and refusing to eat lunch
c. Experiencing muscle rigidity and tremors
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |4
d. Having excessive salivation and drooling
Ans: A
(TD manifests as abnormal movements of voluntary muscle
groups after a prolonged period of dopamine blockade.
Movements may affect any muscle group, but muscles of the
face, mouth, tongue, and digits are commonly affected. Falling
asleep is reflective of the sedative effect of these medications.
Muscle rigidity and drooling reflect EPS caused from imbalance
between dopamine and acetylcholine.)
When the nurse realizes that a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is
not taking the prescribed oral haloperidol (Haldol), which intervention
would promote medication compliance?
a. Instructing the patient to have friends monitor his medications
b. Beginning administration of haloperidol (Haldol) decanoate
c. Writing instructions in detail for the patient to follow
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
