Deck 27: Antipsychotics and Anxiolytics

Question 1

A client has been taking a phenothiazine for 1 week. She contacts the crisis intervention clinic because she is still having symptoms. The nurse's response is based on the premise that the desired effects usually take _____ to manifest.

A) 1 week
B) 1 to 3 weeks
C) 3 to 6 weeks
D) 3 to 5 months

Answer 1

3 to 6 weeks

Question 2

What is a common side effect for which the nurse must monitor during administration of both phenothiazine and non-phenothiazine medications?

A) Hypertension
B) Renal failure
C) Increase in number of white blood cells
D) Extrapyramidal symptoms

Answer 2

Extrapyramidal symptoms

Question 3

Extrapyramidal symptoms are a side effect of perphenazine (Trilafon). The nurse should assess and observe for which sign of akathisia?

A) Restlessness and constant moving about
B) Facial grimacing
C) Chewing motion
D) Involuntary eye movement

Answer 3

Restlessness and constant moving about

Question 4

A client is ordered to receive diazepam (Valium). The nurse is teaching the client about her medication. Which information would be included in the teaching plan?

A) The medication causes high levels of energy and activity.
B) The medication is effective in aiding clients with suicidal ideations.
C) The medication may be taken concurrently with other benzodiazepines.
D) The client may develop tolerance after prolonged use.

Question 5

The nurse is preparing a dose of Mellaril. What is the highest priority intervention for the nurse while preparing the dose?

A) Draw up the dosage of the liquid in an oral syringe.
B) Use a 21-gauge needle to administer the injection.
C) Start a new IV site before administering the drug.
D) Avoid spilling the liquid on exposed skin.

Question 6

A client is ordered to receive chlordiazepoxide (Librium) for severe anxiety. The nurse monitors for which symptoms of severe anxiety or panic attack?

A) Dyspnea and heart palpitations
B) Trembling, shaking, and gastrointestinal upset
C) Dizziness and anorexia
D) Drowsiness and blurred vision

Question 7

A client is ordered to receive fluphenazine (Prolixin) to manage the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. The nurse assesses for which signs of anticholinergic effects?

A) Bradycardia and orthostatic hypotension
B) Diarrhea and tachycardia
C) Urinary retention and dry mouth
D) Constipation and hypertension

Question 8

The client has been placed on Risperdal. He complains to the nurse of experiencing headaches. The highest priority action on the part of the nurse is to recognize that this is a(n) ________ the medication and call the physician.

A) adverse reaction to
B) expected side effect of
C) life-threatening reaction to
D) anaphylactic reaction to

Question 9

The client has been placed on Ativan. The nurse is planning a client instructional session. Which herbal preparation should the nurse emphasize that the client avoid taking with Ativan?

A) Kava kava
B) St. John's wort
C) Ginseng
D) Ginger

Question 10

A client is to be treated with Prolixin. The highest priority nursing intervention related to the client's vital signs is to monitor for:

A) bradycardia.
B) hypertension.
C) hypotension.
D) tachypnea.

Question 11

The client is an older adult who has been placed on Librium. The nurse recognizes that the dose of the drug _____ for this client.

A) is contraindicated
B) should be increased
C) should be decreased
D) will not change

Question 12

A client is experiencing severe EPS effects. In addition to administering a lower dose of the antipsychotic agents, the nurse would anticipate administering a medication in which category?

A) Cholinergics
B) Anticholinergics
C) Antidepressants
D) Dopamine agonists

Question 13

A client is taking an anxiolytic agent secondary to grief-related anxiety. The client questions the nurse about abruptly discontinuing these agents. The nurse's response is based on the knowledge that, when discontinuing these medications:

A) the dosage must be tapered to avoid withdrawal.
B) the client must be evaluated for hyperglycemia.
C) hangover syndrome must be planned for.
D) blood levels must be monitored.

Question 14

The client has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is exhibiting a loss of function and motivation. The nurse recognizes that these symptoms are categorized as:

A) positive.
B) paranoiac.
C) negative.
D) incoherent.

Question 15

A client is to receive a dose of fluphenazine hydrochloride (Prolixin) by intramuscular injection. What is the most important nursing intervention related to the injection?

A) Massage the site vigorously after injection.
B) Administer the drug using Z-tracking.
C) Avoid rotating the injection sites.
D) Select a 22- to 23-gauge needle.

Question 16

Client teaching is important when antipsychotics are taken after discharge from the hospital. Nursing instruction should include giving which information to the client and family?

A) Therapeutic effect should occur in 2 to 3 days with maximum effect in 1 week.
B) The drugs should not be discontinued without consulting a healthcare provider.
C) Taking barbiturates in small dosages with the drug is usually permissible.
D) Rapid change in position has little effect on dizziness or blood pressure.

Question 17

A client is receiving an antipsychotic agent. Which laboratory result is of most concern?

A) Serum sodium level of 138 mEq/L
B) Blood glucose level of 100 mg/dl
C) White blood cell count of 6000/mm³
D) Serum medication level below normal limits

Question 18

A client is brought to the emergency department unconscious. The client's spouse tells the nurse that the client was found in bed with an empty pill bottle nearby. The client's spouse believes that there were 20 to 25 diazepam (Valium) pills in the bottle. What represents an appropriate nursing priority?

A) Administer an emetic agent followed by activated charcoal.
B) Lavage the stomach using a nasogastric tube.
C) Prepare the client for emergency surgery.
D) Monitor the client because there is no antidote.

Question 19

The client is known to have overdosed on a benzodiazepine medication. The nurse anticipates that which medication will most likely be ordered?

A) Tranxene
B) Romazicon
C) BuSpar
D) Librium