Chapter 12: Introduction to Psychotropic Drugs
Steele: Keltner’s Psychiatric Nursing,
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which patient would be most at risk for adverse reactions when administered a highly protein
bound medication?
a. A 15-year-old adolescent athlete
b. A 76-year-old patient that is malnourished
c. A woman in the second trimester of pregnancy
d. An adult with a fractured femur from a sporting accident
ANS: B
The older malnourished patient would have fewer serum proteins to bind the drug; therefore,
higher amounts of free drug would be available to act immediately. The patients described in the
distracters would have normal protein levels, so the drug would be bound as expected.
DIF: Cognitive level: Analyzing TOP: Nursing process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity
2. A novice nurse asks, ―What is the role of psychopharmacology in the psychotherapeutic
management model?‖ What response should the mentor provide concerning the role of
psychopharmacology?
a. ―To make it possible to use the least restrictive treatment alternatives.‖
b. ―To minimize the patient‘s violent behavior towards family members.‖
c. ―Medication assists in the identification and achievement of desirable outcomes.‖
d. ―The model facilitates in the determination of the responsible existing
psychopathology.‖
, ANS: A
By effectively treating psychotic symptoms, the incidence of violent behaviors has been reduced.
This makes possible the use of the least restrictive treatment alternative, an important facet of
psychotherapeutic management. Psychopharmacology does not make the other
options possible.
DIF: Cognitive level: Applying TOP: Nursing process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
3. The parent of a teen diagnosed with schizophrenia asks, ―What is the most likely factor
causing this disorder?‖ Based on current understanding, how should the nurse reply?
a. ―Glutamate is present in higher-than-normal quantities resulting in the observable
symptoms.‖
b. ―There is a decrease in systemic norepinephrine causing the basic symptoms being seen. ‖
c. ―There is an increase in circulating dopamine resulting in the classic schizophrenic
symptoms.‖
d. Schizophrenia causes a decrease in GABA causing the psychotic symptoms.‖
ANS: C
Steele: Keltner’s Psychiatric Nursing,
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which patient would be most at risk for adverse reactions when administered a highly protein
bound medication?
a. A 15-year-old adolescent athlete
b. A 76-year-old patient that is malnourished
c. A woman in the second trimester of pregnancy
d. An adult with a fractured femur from a sporting accident
ANS: B
The older malnourished patient would have fewer serum proteins to bind the drug; therefore,
higher amounts of free drug would be available to act immediately. The patients described in the
distracters would have normal protein levels, so the drug would be bound as expected.
DIF: Cognitive level: Analyzing TOP: Nursing process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity
2. A novice nurse asks, ―What is the role of psychopharmacology in the psychotherapeutic
management model?‖ What response should the mentor provide concerning the role of
psychopharmacology?
a. ―To make it possible to use the least restrictive treatment alternatives.‖
b. ―To minimize the patient‘s violent behavior towards family members.‖
c. ―Medication assists in the identification and achievement of desirable outcomes.‖
d. ―The model facilitates in the determination of the responsible existing
psychopathology.‖
, ANS: A
By effectively treating psychotic symptoms, the incidence of violent behaviors has been reduced.
This makes possible the use of the least restrictive treatment alternative, an important facet of
psychotherapeutic management. Psychopharmacology does not make the other
options possible.
DIF: Cognitive level: Applying TOP: Nursing process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
3. The parent of a teen diagnosed with schizophrenia asks, ―What is the most likely factor
causing this disorder?‖ Based on current understanding, how should the nurse reply?
a. ―Glutamate is present in higher-than-normal quantities resulting in the observable
symptoms.‖
b. ―There is a decrease in systemic norepinephrine causing the basic symptoms being seen. ‖
c. ―There is an increase in circulating dopamine resulting in the classic schizophrenic
symptoms.‖
d. Schizophrenia causes a decrease in GABA causing the psychotic symptoms.‖
ANS: C
