Chapter 25: Psychopharmacology

Chapter 25: Psychopharmacology

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. 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.

 

DIF:   Cognitive Level: Application        REF:  Page 567

TOP:  Nursing Process: Implementation

MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

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.

 

DIF:   Cognitive Level: Application        REF:  Page 570

TOP:  Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

3. 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
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.

 

DIF:   Cognitive Level: Application        REF:  Page 566

TOP:  Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

4. 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
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.

 

DIF:   Cognitive Level: Application        REF:  Page 570

TOP:  Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies