ATI RN
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
In the treatment of a patient with bipolar disorder experiencing a depressive episode, which medication is commonly prescribed?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, Fluoxetine. Fluoxetine, a commonly prescribed antidepressant, is used to manage depressive episodes in bipolar disorder. It helps alleviate symptoms of depression by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can improve mood and reduce feelings of sadness and hopelessness. While mood stabilizers like lithium are often used in bipolar disorder, for depressive episodes, antidepressants like fluoxetine are preferred to address the specific symptoms associated with depression. Valproic acid is a mood stabilizer often used in bipolar disorder to manage manic episodes. Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic that may be used in bipolar disorder to help control manic episodes or as an adjunctive treatment, but it is not a first-line medication for depressive episodes.
Question 2 of 5
Which medication is commonly prescribed for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Methylphenidate is a stimulant medication commonly prescribed to manage symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain to improve focus, attention span, and impulse control. Haloperidol, fluoxetine, and clozapine are not typically used as first-line treatments for ADHD. Haloperidol is an antipsychotic, fluoxetine is an antidepressant, and clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic, each with different mechanisms of action and primary indications.
Question 3 of 5
A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed quetiapine. The nurse should monitor the patient for which common side effect?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Weight gain is a common side effect of quetiapine, an atypical antipsychotic. Quetiapine can lead to metabolic changes that may result in weight gain. Monitoring weight regularly is essential to address this potential side effect. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Quetiapine is not typically associated with hypertension, hair loss, or hyperthyroidism as common side effects.
Question 4 of 5
A healthcare provider is providing care for a patient with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) who has been prescribed an SSRI. Which SSRI is commonly used for this condition?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sertraline. Sertraline, an SSRI, is commonly used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) due to its efficacy and tolerability. Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant used for ADHD and narcolepsy, not for GAD. Lithium is mainly used for bipolar disorder, not for GAD. Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medication, not typically used for GAD.
Question 5 of 5
When assessing a patient with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which symptom would a nurse most likely observe?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Excessive worry is a primary characteristic of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Patients with GAD experience persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of their lives, often anticipating disaster or catastrophic outcomes. This worry is difficult to control and can be accompanied by physical symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, and difficulty concentrating. Flashbacks are more commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hallucinations are more typical of psychotic disorders, and compulsive behaviors are characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Therefore, when assessing a patient with GAD, a nurse would most likely observe excessive worry.