ATI RN
Classes of Psychotropic Medications Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is assessing the vital signs of a 78-year-old patient. His temperature is 36.5°C (97.7°F), pulse is 90 beats per minute, respiratory rate is 18 breaths per minute, and blood pressure is 138/80 mm Hg. The nurse notices that the patient is slightly confused and asks the nurse if she can help him with anything. The nurse should:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. 1. Monitoring for changes in the patient's condition is crucial to identify any deterioration or improvement. 2. Assessing for dehydration or infection is important as these conditions can cause confusion in elderly patients. 3. Rechecking vital signs may not provide additional information if they are within normal limits. 4. Obtaining a complete neurologic examination is not necessary at this point as the patient's confusion may be due to a more common cause like dehydration or infection. 5. Administering a sedative to relieve confusion is not appropriate without identifying and addressing the underlying cause. In summary, option D is the best course of action as it focuses on monitoring the patient's condition, assessing for potential causes of confusion, and addressing any underlying issues.
Question 2 of 5
A patient has symptoms of acute anxiety related to the death of a parent in an automobile accident 2 hours earlier. The nurse should prepare to teach the patient about a medication from which group?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, Benzodiazepines. In acute anxiety, fast-acting anxiolytics like benzodiazepines are effective in providing immediate relief by enhancing the effects of GABA neurotransmitter, reducing anxiety symptoms quickly. Tricyclic antidepressants (A) are not ideal for acute anxiety due to slow onset of action. Atypical antipsychotics (B) are not first-line treatment for anxiety. Anticonvulsants (C) are not typically used for acute anxiety.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse caring for a patient taking a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) will develop outcome criteria related to:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: mood improvement. SSRI medications are primarily used to treat depression and anxiety disorders by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which can lead to improved mood. Outcome criteria for a patient taking an SSRI should focus on monitoring and assessing mood changes to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication. B: Logical thought processes is incorrect because SSRI medications do not directly target cognitive processes, so it is not a specific outcome criteria related to SSRI use. C: Reduced levels of motor activity is incorrect because SSRI medications do not typically cause significant changes in motor activity as a primary effect, so it is not a relevant outcome criteria for monitoring patients on SSRIs. D: Decreased extrapyramidal symptoms is incorrect because extrapyramidal symptoms are typically associated with antipsychotic medications, not SSRIs. Monitoring for extrapyramidal symptoms would not be a relevant outcome criteria for a patient taking an SSRI.
Question 4 of 5
A patient tells the nurse, “I’ve been having problems getting a good night’s sleep. I read some information on the Internet and started taking kava kava.” Select the nurse’s priority response.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The FDA warning against using kava kava due to potential liver damage makes it the priority response. Firstly, addressing the potential harm from kava kava ensures patient safety. Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of consulting healthcare professionals for reliable information. Choice A lacks specificity and may not address the seriousness of the situation. Choice C introduces a new treatment without addressing the current issue. Choice D makes assumptions about the patient's condition without proper assessment, potentially leading to overlooking serious health risks.
Question 5 of 5
A patient tells the nurse, "I get sick so much, so I started taking ginseng to boost my immune system.” The patient’s only other medication is warfarin daily. Which potential complication should be included in the nursing assessment?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Spontaneous bleeding. Ginseng can interact with warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding due to its anticoagulant properties. The rationale: Ginseng can potentiate the effects of warfarin, leading to an increased risk of bleeding. This interaction is a significant concern for patients on anticoagulant therapy like warfarin. Gastrointestinal distress (choice A) and drowsiness (choice D) are not common interactions with ginseng. Thromboembolism (choice C) is less likely as ginseng's anticoagulant properties would tend to increase bleeding risk rather than promote clot formation.