Comprehensive NCLEX-PN: CH 32
Psychiatric Medications 82 complete
solutions.
Comprehensive NCLEX-PN: CH 32
Psychiatric Medications 82 complete
solutions.
The client is reporting vague dread. She is pacing and hyperventilating. Her jaw is clenched, and she is
wringing her hands. What type of medication should the nurse conclude that this client needs?
1. A barbiturate
2. An anxiolytic
3. An antipsychotic
4. A CNS stimulant - ANSWER 2. An anxiolytic
The client is suffering from anxiety and the appropriate type of medication is an anxiolytic. Barbiturates
ar sedative-hypnotics, Which would not be prescribed. The client is not suffering from psychosis or
hallucinations, so an antipsychotic is inappropriate. A CNS stimulant is inappropriate for the signs and
symptoms described.
A client has an order for 30 mg of flurazepam (Dalmane). The nurse determines that the client
understands the effects of this medication by which client statement?
1. "After I take my medication at bedtime, I can watch the TV boxing match and then go to sleep."
2. "Once I take my medicine, I should be able to go to bed and read for a short time."
3. "I will take my medicine, go straight to bed, and go to sleep."
4. "I will take my medicine before preparing for bed and the next day's work." - ANSWER 2. "Once I take
my medicine, I should be able to go to bed and read for a short time."
The medication normally works within 30 minutes to one hour after administration; the medication will
not work instantly. The client should not take a sedative and then stay active for an extended period of
time. Watching stimulating shows on television at bedtimes is not conductive to sleep.
,Comprehensive NCLEX-PN: CH 32
Psychiatric Medications 82 complete
solutions.
The nurse is reinforcing medication teaching with a client about clozapine (Clozaril). The nurse should
include information about what weekly intervention?
1. Physical exam by psychiatrist
2. Weekly blood test
3. Follow up visits with a physician
4. Urinalysis - ANSWER 2. Weekly blood test
In order to safely monitor clozapine, a weekly blood test is mandatory. If the client does not have the
hematologic exam, the medications is not given for the following week. This is to monitor for
agranulocytosis (decreased WBC's), the drug's major adverse effect. A weekly physical exam is
unnecessary. Follow-up visits are done periodically, but might not be needed weekly with the physician.
Weekly urinalysis is unnecessary when taking clozapine.
A client is taking sertraline (Zoloft). The nurse explains to the client that how much time will pass before
the onset of the medication occurs?
1. 5-7 days
2. 1-4 weeks
3. 4-6 weeks
4. 4-8 weeks - ANSWER 2. 1-4 weeks ( this is the answer in the book but typically it takes 3-4 weeks
which isn't an option).
Sertraline is an antidepressant of the SSRI type. These agents works within 1-4 weeks (again from book
but patients should expect to see results in 3-4 weeks).
A client is taking phenelzine (Nardil). The visiting nurse is monitoring for client safety. What should the
nurse reinforce as a priority regarding client teaching?
1. Limiting daily intake of salt
2. Encourage a fluid intake of at least 2000 mL
3. Encourage the client to have a scheduled blood test time
, Comprehensive NCLEX-PN: CH 32
Psychiatric Medications 82 complete
solutions.
4. Eliminating foods containing tyramine - ANSWER 4. Eliminating foods containing tyramine
With an MAOI, such as phenelzine, the client must eliminate foods that contain tyramine. Intake of
tyramine-containing foods could lead to severe hypertension and other complications. The other
options are not major teaching considerations.
The client is diaphoretic, disoriented, and has a temperature of 100 degree Fahrenheit. Additionally, the
client reports insomnia, feeling anxious, and an inability to sit still. What should the nurse suspect
regarding this client? SATA
1. Withdrawing from alcohol use.
2. Demonstrating flu symptoms.
3. Withdrawing from an antipsychotic medication.
4. Abruptly discontinuing lithium carbonate.
5. Withdrawing from CNS depressants. - ANSWER 1. Withdrawing from alcohol use.
5. Withdrawing from CNS depressants.
These symptoms are the commonly seen symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol. The symptoms are
commonly seen during withdrawal from CNS depressants. A client would usually not be complaining of
disorientation or insomnia with flu-like symptoms. Individuals do not usually have withdrawal symptoms
from antipsychotic medications. These are not signs of lithium carbonate being discontinued.
Immediately after taking alprazolam (Xanax) the client says, "I know I shouldn't feel this guilty, but I
don't want to take medicine that makes me feel this way." What would be the most appropriate
response by the nurse?
1. "You can't worry what people say about the medicine you take."
2. "Once the medication begins to work, you'll feel differently about taking it."
3. "Let's talk about how you're feeling about taking Xanax."
4. "Your long-term mental health will benefit from taking this medication." - ANSWER 3. "Let's talk about
how you're feeling about taking Xanax."
Psychiatric Medications 82 complete
solutions.
Comprehensive NCLEX-PN: CH 32
Psychiatric Medications 82 complete
solutions.
The client is reporting vague dread. She is pacing and hyperventilating. Her jaw is clenched, and she is
wringing her hands. What type of medication should the nurse conclude that this client needs?
1. A barbiturate
2. An anxiolytic
3. An antipsychotic
4. A CNS stimulant - ANSWER 2. An anxiolytic
The client is suffering from anxiety and the appropriate type of medication is an anxiolytic. Barbiturates
ar sedative-hypnotics, Which would not be prescribed. The client is not suffering from psychosis or
hallucinations, so an antipsychotic is inappropriate. A CNS stimulant is inappropriate for the signs and
symptoms described.
A client has an order for 30 mg of flurazepam (Dalmane). The nurse determines that the client
understands the effects of this medication by which client statement?
1. "After I take my medication at bedtime, I can watch the TV boxing match and then go to sleep."
2. "Once I take my medicine, I should be able to go to bed and read for a short time."
3. "I will take my medicine, go straight to bed, and go to sleep."
4. "I will take my medicine before preparing for bed and the next day's work." - ANSWER 2. "Once I take
my medicine, I should be able to go to bed and read for a short time."
The medication normally works within 30 minutes to one hour after administration; the medication will
not work instantly. The client should not take a sedative and then stay active for an extended period of
time. Watching stimulating shows on television at bedtimes is not conductive to sleep.
,Comprehensive NCLEX-PN: CH 32
Psychiatric Medications 82 complete
solutions.
The nurse is reinforcing medication teaching with a client about clozapine (Clozaril). The nurse should
include information about what weekly intervention?
1. Physical exam by psychiatrist
2. Weekly blood test
3. Follow up visits with a physician
4. Urinalysis - ANSWER 2. Weekly blood test
In order to safely monitor clozapine, a weekly blood test is mandatory. If the client does not have the
hematologic exam, the medications is not given for the following week. This is to monitor for
agranulocytosis (decreased WBC's), the drug's major adverse effect. A weekly physical exam is
unnecessary. Follow-up visits are done periodically, but might not be needed weekly with the physician.
Weekly urinalysis is unnecessary when taking clozapine.
A client is taking sertraline (Zoloft). The nurse explains to the client that how much time will pass before
the onset of the medication occurs?
1. 5-7 days
2. 1-4 weeks
3. 4-6 weeks
4. 4-8 weeks - ANSWER 2. 1-4 weeks ( this is the answer in the book but typically it takes 3-4 weeks
which isn't an option).
Sertraline is an antidepressant of the SSRI type. These agents works within 1-4 weeks (again from book
but patients should expect to see results in 3-4 weeks).
A client is taking phenelzine (Nardil). The visiting nurse is monitoring for client safety. What should the
nurse reinforce as a priority regarding client teaching?
1. Limiting daily intake of salt
2. Encourage a fluid intake of at least 2000 mL
3. Encourage the client to have a scheduled blood test time
, Comprehensive NCLEX-PN: CH 32
Psychiatric Medications 82 complete
solutions.
4. Eliminating foods containing tyramine - ANSWER 4. Eliminating foods containing tyramine
With an MAOI, such as phenelzine, the client must eliminate foods that contain tyramine. Intake of
tyramine-containing foods could lead to severe hypertension and other complications. The other
options are not major teaching considerations.
The client is diaphoretic, disoriented, and has a temperature of 100 degree Fahrenheit. Additionally, the
client reports insomnia, feeling anxious, and an inability to sit still. What should the nurse suspect
regarding this client? SATA
1. Withdrawing from alcohol use.
2. Demonstrating flu symptoms.
3. Withdrawing from an antipsychotic medication.
4. Abruptly discontinuing lithium carbonate.
5. Withdrawing from CNS depressants. - ANSWER 1. Withdrawing from alcohol use.
5. Withdrawing from CNS depressants.
These symptoms are the commonly seen symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol. The symptoms are
commonly seen during withdrawal from CNS depressants. A client would usually not be complaining of
disorientation or insomnia with flu-like symptoms. Individuals do not usually have withdrawal symptoms
from antipsychotic medications. These are not signs of lithium carbonate being discontinued.
Immediately after taking alprazolam (Xanax) the client says, "I know I shouldn't feel this guilty, but I
don't want to take medicine that makes me feel this way." What would be the most appropriate
response by the nurse?
1. "You can't worry what people say about the medicine you take."
2. "Once the medication begins to work, you'll feel differently about taking it."
3. "Let's talk about how you're feeling about taking Xanax."
4. "Your long-term mental health will benefit from taking this medication." - ANSWER 3. "Let's talk about
how you're feeling about taking Xanax."
