Chapter 12: Introduction to Psychotropic Drugs

Chapter 12: Introduction to Psychotropic Drugs

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A nurse administers a highly protein-bound medication. Which patient would have the most immediate and powerful effect from this drug?

a.	A healthy adolescent
b.	A 76-year-old patient with malnutrition
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.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Analyzing              REF:   p. 119

TOP:   Nursing process: Assessment           MSC:  NCLEX: Physiologic Integrity

 

2. A novice nurse asks, “What is the role of psychopharmacology in the psychotherapeutic management model?” A mentor should respond that psychopharmacology makes it possible to:

a.	use the least restrictive treatment alternatives.
b.	prevent violence against nurses.
c.	identify desirable outcomes.
d.	determine 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: Understanding        REF:   p. 128

TOP:   Nursing process: Implementation     MSC:  NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment

 

3. The parent of a teen diagnosed with schizophrenia asks, “Why does schizophrenia usually appear in adolescence?” The nurse’s reply would be based on which premise?

a.	Stimulation of neurotransmitters is unstable.
b.	Neuronal system complexity stabilizes.
c.	Dendrite branching becomes complete in adolescence.
d.	Amino acid production increases.

 

 

ANS:  C

Arborization, or branching of dendrites, is a process that continues into adolescence. Some authorities have suggested that this might account for the appearance of schizophrenia at this period in life. The other options are of no relevance.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Understanding        REF:   p. 124

TOP:   Nursing process: Implementation     MSC:  NCLEX: Physiologic Integrity

 

4. The primary mechanisms of action of certain antidepressants result from neurotransmitter inactivation by enzyme-based metabolism and:

a.	electrochemical stimulation.
b.	stimulation of natural precursors.
c.	extraction of precursors from the bloodstream.
d.	reuptake into the presynaptic storage vesicles.

 

 

ANS:  D

Neurotransmitters are inactivated in two ways: (1) they are metabolized by enzymes, and (2) they are taken back into the presynaptic storage vesicles—a process called reuptake. The other options have no physiologic basis in fact.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Understanding        REF:   p. 125

TOP:   Nursing process: Implementation     MSC:  NCLEX: Physiologic Integrity

 

5. When discussing treatment of an aggressive patient with psychosis, a health care provider says, “I plan to prescribe the original antipsychotic drug.” Which medication is relevant to the statement?

a.	Paroxetine (Paxil)
b.	Clozapine (Clozaril)
c.	Imipramine (Tofranil)
d.	Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)

 

 

ANS:  D

Only chlorpromazine and clozapine are antipsychotics. Chlorpromazine is a traditional drug, introduced in the early 1950s, whereas clozapine is a newer drug, introduced in the 1990s. Paroxetine and imipramine are antidepressants.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying                REF:   p. 118             TOP:   Nursing process: Planning

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiologic Integrity