Chapter 4 - Psychopharmacology
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hwep2b
1. When used in combination with anxiolytic medication, alcohol leads to
_____________ effects, and caffeine leads to _______________ effects.
1. increased; increased
2. increased; decreased
3. decreased; decreased
4. decreased; increased: 2. increased; decreased
Anxiolytic medications work through depression of certain central nervous system (CNS) functions. Alcohol, which is a
CNS depressant, would increase/potentiate their effects. Caffeine, which is a CNS stimulant, would decrease/inhibit
their effects.
2. A client was recently admitted to the inpatient unit after a suicide attempt.
He has been placed on a tricyclic antidepressant. In terms of medication, what
steps should be taken to maintain the client's safety when he is discharged?
1. Provide a 6-month supply to ensure long-term compliance.
2. Provide a 1-week supply of medication, with refills authorized only after he
visits his provider.
3. Encourage him to increase fluid intake to counteract the common side effect
of diarrhea.
4. Educate him not to eat foods that contain tyramine.: 2. Provide a 1-week supply of
medication, with refills authorized only after he visits his provider.
To prevent suicide through overdose on antidepressant medication, a limited supply should be given at discharge.
Clients with a history of depression who have a lifting of mood may have an increased risk for suicide. Giving the client
a larger supply of antidepressant medication increases the chances of overdose.
3. A client was recently admitted to the inpatient unit after a suicide attempt and
is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The nurse teaches
the client about serotonin syndrome. Which of the following is a symptom of
serotonin syndrome?
1. Change in mental status
2. Myoclonus
3. Blood pressure lability
4. Priapism: 4. Priapism
1/8
, Chapter 4 - Psychopharmacology
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hwep2b
4. A client was recently admitted to the inpatient unit after a suicide attempt
and has not responded to SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants. The client asks
the nurse, "I heard about monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Why can't
they be added to what I am on now? Wouldn't adding one help?" Which is the
appropriate nursing response?
1. "Electroconvulsive therapy is your best option at this point."
2. "Combined use can lead to a life-threatening condition called hypertensive
crisis."
3. "There is no reason why an MAOI couldn't be added to your therapy."
4. "They can't be used together because their mechanisms of action are very
different.": 2. "Combined use can lead to a life-threatening condition called hypertensive crisis."
5. A client began taking lithium for the treatment of bipolar disorder approxi-
mately 1 month ago and asks why he has gained 12 lbs. since then. Which is
the appropriate nursing response?
1. "I'm surprised you have gained; weight loss is the typical pattern when taking
lithium."
2. "Your weight gain is more likely related to food intake than medication."
3. "Weight gain is a common, but troubling side effect. Let's talk about some
strategies for safely improving your nutrition and exercise habits."
4. "There's not much you can do about the weight gain. It's better than being
emotionally unstable, though.": 3. "Weight gain is a common, but troubling side effect. Let's talk about
some strategies for safely improving your nutrition and exercise habits."
6. The nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and
takes an antipsychotic agent daily. Which finding requires further nursing
assessment?
1. Respirations of 22 beats/minute
2. Weight gain of 8 lbs. in 2 months
3. Temperature of 101 F
4. Excess salivation: 3. Temperature of 101 F
7. An aging client with chronic schizophrenia takes a beta-adrenergic blocking
agent (propranolol) for hypertension and an antipsychotic. Given the combined
side effects of these drugs, what teaching should the nurse provide?
2/8
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hwep2b
1. When used in combination with anxiolytic medication, alcohol leads to
_____________ effects, and caffeine leads to _______________ effects.
1. increased; increased
2. increased; decreased
3. decreased; decreased
4. decreased; increased: 2. increased; decreased
Anxiolytic medications work through depression of certain central nervous system (CNS) functions. Alcohol, which is a
CNS depressant, would increase/potentiate their effects. Caffeine, which is a CNS stimulant, would decrease/inhibit
their effects.
2. A client was recently admitted to the inpatient unit after a suicide attempt.
He has been placed on a tricyclic antidepressant. In terms of medication, what
steps should be taken to maintain the client's safety when he is discharged?
1. Provide a 6-month supply to ensure long-term compliance.
2. Provide a 1-week supply of medication, with refills authorized only after he
visits his provider.
3. Encourage him to increase fluid intake to counteract the common side effect
of diarrhea.
4. Educate him not to eat foods that contain tyramine.: 2. Provide a 1-week supply of
medication, with refills authorized only after he visits his provider.
To prevent suicide through overdose on antidepressant medication, a limited supply should be given at discharge.
Clients with a history of depression who have a lifting of mood may have an increased risk for suicide. Giving the client
a larger supply of antidepressant medication increases the chances of overdose.
3. A client was recently admitted to the inpatient unit after a suicide attempt and
is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The nurse teaches
the client about serotonin syndrome. Which of the following is a symptom of
serotonin syndrome?
1. Change in mental status
2. Myoclonus
3. Blood pressure lability
4. Priapism: 4. Priapism
1/8
, Chapter 4 - Psychopharmacology
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hwep2b
4. A client was recently admitted to the inpatient unit after a suicide attempt
and has not responded to SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants. The client asks
the nurse, "I heard about monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Why can't
they be added to what I am on now? Wouldn't adding one help?" Which is the
appropriate nursing response?
1. "Electroconvulsive therapy is your best option at this point."
2. "Combined use can lead to a life-threatening condition called hypertensive
crisis."
3. "There is no reason why an MAOI couldn't be added to your therapy."
4. "They can't be used together because their mechanisms of action are very
different.": 2. "Combined use can lead to a life-threatening condition called hypertensive crisis."
5. A client began taking lithium for the treatment of bipolar disorder approxi-
mately 1 month ago and asks why he has gained 12 lbs. since then. Which is
the appropriate nursing response?
1. "I'm surprised you have gained; weight loss is the typical pattern when taking
lithium."
2. "Your weight gain is more likely related to food intake than medication."
3. "Weight gain is a common, but troubling side effect. Let's talk about some
strategies for safely improving your nutrition and exercise habits."
4. "There's not much you can do about the weight gain. It's better than being
emotionally unstable, though.": 3. "Weight gain is a common, but troubling side effect. Let's talk about
some strategies for safely improving your nutrition and exercise habits."
6. The nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and
takes an antipsychotic agent daily. Which finding requires further nursing
assessment?
1. Respirations of 22 beats/minute
2. Weight gain of 8 lbs. in 2 months
3. Temperature of 101 F
4. Excess salivation: 3. Temperature of 101 F
7. An aging client with chronic schizophrenia takes a beta-adrenergic blocking
agent (propranolol) for hypertension and an antipsychotic. Given the combined
side effects of these drugs, what teaching should the nurse provide?
2/8
