ATI RN
Psychotherapeutic Drugs Quiz Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient is taking lithium. The nurse should be aware of the importance of which nursing intervention(s)? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Observe the patient for motor tremors. Motor tremors are common side effects of lithium therapy, indicating toxicity. By observing for tremors, the nurse can detect early signs of lithium toxicity and take necessary actions. Monitoring for hypotension (choice B) and orthostatic hypotension (choice D) are not related to lithium therapy. Drawing lithium blood levels immediately after a dose (choice C) is not necessary as lithium levels are usually checked before the next dose.
Question 2 of 5
A patient with schizophrenia has been nonadherent with his home medication regimen. He requires frequent admissions to the intensive psychiatric unit for treatment of acute psychotic episodes. Which medication regimen would be appropriate for this patient?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Depot antipsychotic medications are long-acting injections that may be used with noncompliant patients and may assist in avoiding repeated hospital admissions. Daily home nursing visits are not an efficient way to ensure medication compliance. Continuous inpatient hospitalization is not an efficient way to ensure medication compliance. Subcutaneous medication administration is not an option for this patient.
Question 3 of 5
What is the most common cause of nonadherence to antipsychotic pharmacologic treatment?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Extrapyramidal effects are the most common reason for nonadherence to antipsychotic therapy. The four categories of extrapyramidal effects are dystonic reactions, pseudoparkinsonism, akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia. Although expense may be a concern, it is not the most common reason for noncompliance. Chemical dependency is not a feature of therapy with antipsychotic drugs. Although knowledge deficit is a concern, it is not the most common reason for noncompliance.
Question 4 of 5
Which type of adverse effects is present when a patient displays prolonged tonic contractions of the tongue, oculogyric crisis, and torticollis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dystonic reactions are the first extrapyramidal symptoms to occur when a patient is taking antipsychotic agents. Dystonias are spasmodic movements of muscle groups such as tongue protrusion, rolling back of the eyes (oculogyric crisis), jaw spasms (trismus), or neck torsion (torticollis). Pseudoparkinsonism is characterized by tremor and rigidity. Akathisia is characterized by subjective feelings of anxiety and restlessness, accompanied by pacing and the inability to remain in one place for extended periods. Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by persistent involuntary hyperkinetic movements.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is teaching a patient who is taking clozapine (Clozaril) to have weekly blood tests for the first 6 months of treatment to monitor for which potential complication?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.