PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS NCLEX
PRACTICE QUIZ: 75 QUESTIONS
1. Question
Jose is diagnosed with amphetamine psychosis and was admitted
to the emergency room. Nurse Ronald would most likely prepare
to administer which of the following medication?
o A. Librium
o B. Valium
o C. Ativan
o D. Haldol
Correct Answer: D. Haldol
The nurse would prepare to administer an antipsychotic
medication such as Haldol to a client experiencing amphetamine
psychosis to decrease agitation & psychotic symptoms, including
delusions, hallucinations & cognitive impairment. Haloperidol is a
first-generation (typical) antipsychotic medication that is used
widely around the world. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approved the use of haloperidol is for schizophrenia, Tourette
syndrome (control of tics and vocal utterances in adults and
children), hyperactivity (which may present as impulsivity,
difficulty maintaining attention, severe aggressivity, mood
instability, and frustration intolerance), severe childhood
behavioral problems (such as combative, explosive
hyperexcitability), intractable hiccups. It is a typical antipsychotic
because it works on positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as
hallucinations and delusions.
Option A: Chlordiazepoxide is a long-acting
benzodiazepine and is an FDA approved medication
for adults with mild-moderate to severe anxiety
disorder, preoperative apprehension and anxiety, and
withdrawal symptoms of acute alcohol use disorder. It
is also FDA approved for pediatric patients greater
than six years old for anxiety. Chlordiazepoxide has
, anti-anxiety, sedative, appetite-stimulating, and weak
analgesic actions.
Option B: Diazepam is an anxiolytic benzodiazepine,
first patented and marketed in the United States in
1963. It is a fast-acting, long-lasting benzodiazepine
commonly used in the treatment of anxiety disorders,
as well as alcohol detoxification, acute recurrent
seizures, severe muscle spasm, and spasticity
associated with neurologic disorders. In the setting of
acute alcohol withdrawal, diazepam is useful for
symptomatic relief of agitation, tremor, alcoholic
hallucinosis, and acute delirium tremens.
Option C: Lorazepam has common use as the
sedative and anxiolytic of choice in the inpatient
setting owing to its fast (1 to 3 minute) onset of action
when administered intravenously. Lorazepam is also
one of the few sedative-hypnotics with a relatively
clean side effect profile. Lorazepam is FDA approved
for short-term (4 months) relief of anxiety symptoms
related to anxiety disorders, anxiety-associated
insomnia, anesthesia premedication in adults to
relieve anxiety, or to produce sedation/amnesia, and
treatment of status epilepticus.
2. 2. Question
Which of the following liquids would nurse Leng administer to a
female client who is intoxicated with phencyclidine (PCP) to
hasten excretion of the chemical?
A. Shake
B. Tea
C. Cranberry Juice
D. Grape juice
Correct Answer: C. Cranberry Juice
An acid environment aids in the excretion of PCP. The nurse will
definitely give the client with PCP intoxication cranberry juice to
acidify the urine to a ph of 5.5 & accelerate excretion. PCP begins
, to cause symptoms at a dose of 0.05mg/kg, and a dose of 20 mg
or more can cause seizures, coma, and death. It is mainly
metabolized by the liver, and 10% is excreted in the kidneys.
Inhalation (the most common route of administration) and
intravenous routes of administration produce symptoms in 2 to 5
minutes. Oral ingestion produces symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes.
Option A: Most patients survive PCP intoxication with
supportive care. Airway, breathing, circulation, and
hemodynamic monitoring are essential to the care of
patients with PCP toxicity. Intubation with ventilatory
support may be required for airway protection.
Sedation with medication and physical restraints may
be required to control agitation, violent behavior, and
psychosis due to PCP intoxication. Placing the patient
in a calm environment such as a quiet room with the
lights dimmed may be helpful. Benzodiazepines are
the preferred medication for chemical sedation in
patients with PCP toxicity.
Option B: Patients with mild symptoms can be
discharged one to 2 hours after they become
symptom-free and have no other medical
complications or behavioral issues that need to be
addressed. Patients with severe symptoms or medical
complications should be admitted to a monitored bed.
Patients who are asymptomatic who present to the
emergency department after PCP use should be
observed for at least 6 hours before being discharged.
Option D: PCP is available as a powder, crystal, liquid,
and tablet. It produces both stimulation and
depression of the CNS. PCP is a non-competitive
antagonist to the NMDA receptor, which causes
analgesia, anesthesia, cognitive defects, and
psychosis. PCP blocks the uptake of dopamine and
norepinephrine, leading to sympathomimetic effects
such as hypertension, tachycardia, bronchodilation,
and agitation. PCP can also cause sedation,
muscarinic, and nicotinic signs by binding to
acetylcholine receptors and GABA receptors. Sigma
receptor stimulation by PCP causes lethargy and
coma.
3. 3. Question
, When developing a plan of care for a female client with acute
stress disorder who lost her sister in a car accident. Which of the
following would the nurse expect to initiate?
A. Facilitating progressive review of the accident
and its consequences.
B. Postponing discussion of the accident until the client
brings it up.
C. Telling the client to avoid details of the accident.
D. Helping the client to evaluate her sister’s behavior.
Correct Answer: A. Facilitating progressive review of the
accident and its consequences
The nurse would facilitate progressive review of the accident and
its consequence to help the client integrate feelings & memories
and to begin the grieving process. Help patients reframe any
destructive cognitions (eg, beliefs that they acted terribly and are
terrible people or are weak for being so distraught, that life is
hopeless or worthless, or that the world is totally unsafe).
Option B: Support self-esteem; help patients
understand that their reaction to the trauma is a
normal reaction to an abnormal situation, not a sign of
weakness or psychopathology. Reassure and help
survivors concerning immediate needs, such as rest,
food, shelter, social support, or a sense of belonging to
a community (some feel cut off and detached).
Option C: Promote coping mechanisms. Avoid
prompting discussion of issues that cannot be
resolved; avoid abreaction in groups and the resulting
contagion effect; respect defenses, and do not force
reality on people who cannot handle it yet; keep in
mind that debriefing may be harmful. Discuss the
experience with patients who want to talk about it,
and avoid pressuring those who do not wish to discuss
it.
Option D: Check to see if children feel that they
somehow caused the death or disaster or if they have
other misunderstandings, and take pains to reassure
PRACTICE QUIZ: 75 QUESTIONS
1. Question
Jose is diagnosed with amphetamine psychosis and was admitted
to the emergency room. Nurse Ronald would most likely prepare
to administer which of the following medication?
o A. Librium
o B. Valium
o C. Ativan
o D. Haldol
Correct Answer: D. Haldol
The nurse would prepare to administer an antipsychotic
medication such as Haldol to a client experiencing amphetamine
psychosis to decrease agitation & psychotic symptoms, including
delusions, hallucinations & cognitive impairment. Haloperidol is a
first-generation (typical) antipsychotic medication that is used
widely around the world. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approved the use of haloperidol is for schizophrenia, Tourette
syndrome (control of tics and vocal utterances in adults and
children), hyperactivity (which may present as impulsivity,
difficulty maintaining attention, severe aggressivity, mood
instability, and frustration intolerance), severe childhood
behavioral problems (such as combative, explosive
hyperexcitability), intractable hiccups. It is a typical antipsychotic
because it works on positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as
hallucinations and delusions.
Option A: Chlordiazepoxide is a long-acting
benzodiazepine and is an FDA approved medication
for adults with mild-moderate to severe anxiety
disorder, preoperative apprehension and anxiety, and
withdrawal symptoms of acute alcohol use disorder. It
is also FDA approved for pediatric patients greater
than six years old for anxiety. Chlordiazepoxide has
, anti-anxiety, sedative, appetite-stimulating, and weak
analgesic actions.
Option B: Diazepam is an anxiolytic benzodiazepine,
first patented and marketed in the United States in
1963. It is a fast-acting, long-lasting benzodiazepine
commonly used in the treatment of anxiety disorders,
as well as alcohol detoxification, acute recurrent
seizures, severe muscle spasm, and spasticity
associated with neurologic disorders. In the setting of
acute alcohol withdrawal, diazepam is useful for
symptomatic relief of agitation, tremor, alcoholic
hallucinosis, and acute delirium tremens.
Option C: Lorazepam has common use as the
sedative and anxiolytic of choice in the inpatient
setting owing to its fast (1 to 3 minute) onset of action
when administered intravenously. Lorazepam is also
one of the few sedative-hypnotics with a relatively
clean side effect profile. Lorazepam is FDA approved
for short-term (4 months) relief of anxiety symptoms
related to anxiety disorders, anxiety-associated
insomnia, anesthesia premedication in adults to
relieve anxiety, or to produce sedation/amnesia, and
treatment of status epilepticus.
2. 2. Question
Which of the following liquids would nurse Leng administer to a
female client who is intoxicated with phencyclidine (PCP) to
hasten excretion of the chemical?
A. Shake
B. Tea
C. Cranberry Juice
D. Grape juice
Correct Answer: C. Cranberry Juice
An acid environment aids in the excretion of PCP. The nurse will
definitely give the client with PCP intoxication cranberry juice to
acidify the urine to a ph of 5.5 & accelerate excretion. PCP begins
, to cause symptoms at a dose of 0.05mg/kg, and a dose of 20 mg
or more can cause seizures, coma, and death. It is mainly
metabolized by the liver, and 10% is excreted in the kidneys.
Inhalation (the most common route of administration) and
intravenous routes of administration produce symptoms in 2 to 5
minutes. Oral ingestion produces symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes.
Option A: Most patients survive PCP intoxication with
supportive care. Airway, breathing, circulation, and
hemodynamic monitoring are essential to the care of
patients with PCP toxicity. Intubation with ventilatory
support may be required for airway protection.
Sedation with medication and physical restraints may
be required to control agitation, violent behavior, and
psychosis due to PCP intoxication. Placing the patient
in a calm environment such as a quiet room with the
lights dimmed may be helpful. Benzodiazepines are
the preferred medication for chemical sedation in
patients with PCP toxicity.
Option B: Patients with mild symptoms can be
discharged one to 2 hours after they become
symptom-free and have no other medical
complications or behavioral issues that need to be
addressed. Patients with severe symptoms or medical
complications should be admitted to a monitored bed.
Patients who are asymptomatic who present to the
emergency department after PCP use should be
observed for at least 6 hours before being discharged.
Option D: PCP is available as a powder, crystal, liquid,
and tablet. It produces both stimulation and
depression of the CNS. PCP is a non-competitive
antagonist to the NMDA receptor, which causes
analgesia, anesthesia, cognitive defects, and
psychosis. PCP blocks the uptake of dopamine and
norepinephrine, leading to sympathomimetic effects
such as hypertension, tachycardia, bronchodilation,
and agitation. PCP can also cause sedation,
muscarinic, and nicotinic signs by binding to
acetylcholine receptors and GABA receptors. Sigma
receptor stimulation by PCP causes lethargy and
coma.
3. 3. Question
, When developing a plan of care for a female client with acute
stress disorder who lost her sister in a car accident. Which of the
following would the nurse expect to initiate?
A. Facilitating progressive review of the accident
and its consequences.
B. Postponing discussion of the accident until the client
brings it up.
C. Telling the client to avoid details of the accident.
D. Helping the client to evaluate her sister’s behavior.
Correct Answer: A. Facilitating progressive review of the
accident and its consequences
The nurse would facilitate progressive review of the accident and
its consequence to help the client integrate feelings & memories
and to begin the grieving process. Help patients reframe any
destructive cognitions (eg, beliefs that they acted terribly and are
terrible people or are weak for being so distraught, that life is
hopeless or worthless, or that the world is totally unsafe).
Option B: Support self-esteem; help patients
understand that their reaction to the trauma is a
normal reaction to an abnormal situation, not a sign of
weakness or psychopathology. Reassure and help
survivors concerning immediate needs, such as rest,
food, shelter, social support, or a sense of belonging to
a community (some feel cut off and detached).
Option C: Promote coping mechanisms. Avoid
prompting discussion of issues that cannot be
resolved; avoid abreaction in groups and the resulting
contagion effect; respect defenses, and do not force
reality on people who cannot handle it yet; keep in
mind that debriefing may be harmful. Discuss the
experience with patients who want to talk about it,
and avoid pressuring those who do not wish to discuss
it.
Option D: Check to see if children feel that they
somehow caused the death or disaster or if they have
other misunderstandings, and take pains to reassure
