Psychiatric Technician Pharmacology Board Exam Review Questions
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1. 1. The psychiatrist prescribes alprazolam (Xanax), a benzodiazepine, for acute
anxiety experienced by a client with agoraphobia. Health teaching should
include instructions about:
A. A tyramine- free diet.
B. Adjusting dose and frequency of ingestion based on level of anxiety.
C. Avoiding alcoholic beverages.
D. Reporting dry mouth.: C. Avoiding alcoholic beverages.
Rationale: When prescribing alprazolam (Xanax), a benzodiazepine, for acute anxiety in a client with agoraphobia, it is
important to instruct the client to avoid alcoholic beverages. Benzodiazepines like alprazolam can enhance the sedative
effects of alcohol, leading to increased drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination. Combining benzodiazepines
with alcohol can also result in severe central nervous system depression, respiratory depression, and even overdose.
Therefore, it is essential to educate the client about the potential dangers of consuming alcohol while taking alprazolam.
2. 2. How often and what dosage is alprazolam (Xanax) given to clients?
A. 0.25-1.0 mg. b.i.d.
B. 0.25-0.5 mg. t.i.d.
C. 0.5-1.0 mg. t.i.d.
D. 0.5-1.0 mg. q.i.d.: B: 0.25-0.5 mg t.i.d.
The rationale for this dosage is as follows:
Individualized treatment: The dosage of alprazolam can vary depending on factors such as the severity of the anxiety
disorder, the patient's response to the medication, and their medical history. It is essential for healthcare providers to
tailor the dosage to the specific needs of each patient.
Gradual titration: Starting with a lower dosage, such as 0.25-0.5 mg, allows for a cautious approach to treatment. It
helps to minimize the risk of side effects and allows the healthcare provider to assess the patient's response before
potentially adjusting the dosage.
Therapeutic effect: Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine medication that acts as an anxiolytic and can provide relief from
anxiety symptoms. The dosage range of 0.25-0.5 mg has been found effective for many individuals in managing anxiety
disorders, providing the desired therapeutic effect.
3. 3. The psychiatric technician is to give Haldol Decanoate 300 mg IM to a client.
The label on the ampule reads Haldol Decanoate 100mg/ml. The hospital policy
, Psychiatric Technician Pharmacology Board Exam Review Questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_dfb4i9
states that no more than 2 ml can be given to a client in one site. The psychiatric
technician will give:
A. 2 ml. in one site and 2 ml in another site.
B. 1 ml. in one site and then one hour later give 2 ml. in the same site.
C. 1 1/2 ml. in one site and 1 1/2 ml in another site.
D. 1 1/2 ml. in one site.: C. 1 1/2 ml. in one site and 1 1/2 ml. in another site.
Rationale: The label on the ampule indicates that Haldol Decanoate has a concentration of 100 mg/ml. The prescribed
dose is 300 mg. Since the hospital policy states that no more than 2 ml can be given at one site, the psychiatric technician
will need to split the dose between two injection sites. Each site can receive a maximum of 2 ml, so the technician will
administer 1 1/2 ml (150 mg) in one site and another 1 1/2 ml (150 mg) in another site to achieve the total prescribed
dose of 300 mg.
4. 4. Mr. Jones goes to his family physician complaining of a gnawing pain in
his abdomen. He has had a lot of stress lately at work and has been taking a
corticosteriod medication. The physician diagnoses the problem to be a peptic
ulcer. The most likely medication the physician will prescribe for Mr. Jones is:
A. chlorzoxazone.
B. methsuximide.
C. furazolidone.
D. famotidine.: D. famotidine.
Rationale: Given the symptoms of a gnawing pain in the abdomen and the patient's recent stress and corticosteroid
use, the physician is likely to diagnose a peptic ulcer. The most likely medication that the physician will prescribe for
Mr. Jones is famotidine. Famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist that reduces the production of stomach acid,
providing relief from symptoms and promoting the healing of peptic ulcers.
5. 5. The psychiatric technician is to give 400 mg of chlorpromazine to the client
at 1200. There are both 100 mg and 200 mg tablets of chlorpromazine in the
client's medication cassette. The psychiatric technician would give:
A. Four of the 100 mg. tablets.
B. Two of the 100 mg. tablets.
C. Two of the 200 mg. tablets.
D. One 100 mg. tablet and one 200 mg. tablet.: B. two of the 200 mg tablets.
, Psychiatric Technician Pharmacology Board Exam Review Questions
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Rationale:
To administer 400 mg of chlorpromazine to the client, we need to select the combination of tablets that adds up to the
desired dosage. Since there are both 100 mg and 200 mg tablets available, we need to determine the combination
that adds up to 400 mg.
6. 6. The doctor has ordered 10 mg of a medication and the label on the bottle
reads 0.005 grams
per tablet. How many tablets should the client receive?
A. One
B. One and a half
C. Two
D. Three: C. Two
Rationale: Since 1 gram is equal to 1000 milligrams, we can convert the weight of each tablet from grams to milligrams:
0.005 grams = 0.005 * 1000 mg = 5 mg
Now we can compare the ordered dose of 10 mg with the dose contained in each tablet (5 mg).
10 mg / 5 mg = 2 tablets
7. 7. Acyclovir is the first drug known to successfully treat genital herpes. The
brand name for this medication is:
A. Zovirax.
B. Mezlin.
C. Zanthine.
D. Zidovudine.: A. Zovirax
Rationale: is that Zovirax is a well-known brand name for the drug acyclovir, which is widely used to treat genital herpes.
8. 8. The psychiatric technician just received an order for lithium carbonate for
a new client. This medication would be written as:
A. Li2 Co3
B. Li3 Co.
C. Li Co3.
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1. 1. The psychiatrist prescribes alprazolam (Xanax), a benzodiazepine, for acute
anxiety experienced by a client with agoraphobia. Health teaching should
include instructions about:
A. A tyramine- free diet.
B. Adjusting dose and frequency of ingestion based on level of anxiety.
C. Avoiding alcoholic beverages.
D. Reporting dry mouth.: C. Avoiding alcoholic beverages.
Rationale: When prescribing alprazolam (Xanax), a benzodiazepine, for acute anxiety in a client with agoraphobia, it is
important to instruct the client to avoid alcoholic beverages. Benzodiazepines like alprazolam can enhance the sedative
effects of alcohol, leading to increased drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination. Combining benzodiazepines
with alcohol can also result in severe central nervous system depression, respiratory depression, and even overdose.
Therefore, it is essential to educate the client about the potential dangers of consuming alcohol while taking alprazolam.
2. 2. How often and what dosage is alprazolam (Xanax) given to clients?
A. 0.25-1.0 mg. b.i.d.
B. 0.25-0.5 mg. t.i.d.
C. 0.5-1.0 mg. t.i.d.
D. 0.5-1.0 mg. q.i.d.: B: 0.25-0.5 mg t.i.d.
The rationale for this dosage is as follows:
Individualized treatment: The dosage of alprazolam can vary depending on factors such as the severity of the anxiety
disorder, the patient's response to the medication, and their medical history. It is essential for healthcare providers to
tailor the dosage to the specific needs of each patient.
Gradual titration: Starting with a lower dosage, such as 0.25-0.5 mg, allows for a cautious approach to treatment. It
helps to minimize the risk of side effects and allows the healthcare provider to assess the patient's response before
potentially adjusting the dosage.
Therapeutic effect: Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine medication that acts as an anxiolytic and can provide relief from
anxiety symptoms. The dosage range of 0.25-0.5 mg has been found effective for many individuals in managing anxiety
disorders, providing the desired therapeutic effect.
3. 3. The psychiatric technician is to give Haldol Decanoate 300 mg IM to a client.
The label on the ampule reads Haldol Decanoate 100mg/ml. The hospital policy
, Psychiatric Technician Pharmacology Board Exam Review Questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_dfb4i9
states that no more than 2 ml can be given to a client in one site. The psychiatric
technician will give:
A. 2 ml. in one site and 2 ml in another site.
B. 1 ml. in one site and then one hour later give 2 ml. in the same site.
C. 1 1/2 ml. in one site and 1 1/2 ml in another site.
D. 1 1/2 ml. in one site.: C. 1 1/2 ml. in one site and 1 1/2 ml. in another site.
Rationale: The label on the ampule indicates that Haldol Decanoate has a concentration of 100 mg/ml. The prescribed
dose is 300 mg. Since the hospital policy states that no more than 2 ml can be given at one site, the psychiatric technician
will need to split the dose between two injection sites. Each site can receive a maximum of 2 ml, so the technician will
administer 1 1/2 ml (150 mg) in one site and another 1 1/2 ml (150 mg) in another site to achieve the total prescribed
dose of 300 mg.
4. 4. Mr. Jones goes to his family physician complaining of a gnawing pain in
his abdomen. He has had a lot of stress lately at work and has been taking a
corticosteriod medication. The physician diagnoses the problem to be a peptic
ulcer. The most likely medication the physician will prescribe for Mr. Jones is:
A. chlorzoxazone.
B. methsuximide.
C. furazolidone.
D. famotidine.: D. famotidine.
Rationale: Given the symptoms of a gnawing pain in the abdomen and the patient's recent stress and corticosteroid
use, the physician is likely to diagnose a peptic ulcer. The most likely medication that the physician will prescribe for
Mr. Jones is famotidine. Famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist that reduces the production of stomach acid,
providing relief from symptoms and promoting the healing of peptic ulcers.
5. 5. The psychiatric technician is to give 400 mg of chlorpromazine to the client
at 1200. There are both 100 mg and 200 mg tablets of chlorpromazine in the
client's medication cassette. The psychiatric technician would give:
A. Four of the 100 mg. tablets.
B. Two of the 100 mg. tablets.
C. Two of the 200 mg. tablets.
D. One 100 mg. tablet and one 200 mg. tablet.: B. two of the 200 mg tablets.
, Psychiatric Technician Pharmacology Board Exam Review Questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_dfb4i9
Rationale:
To administer 400 mg of chlorpromazine to the client, we need to select the combination of tablets that adds up to the
desired dosage. Since there are both 100 mg and 200 mg tablets available, we need to determine the combination
that adds up to 400 mg.
6. 6. The doctor has ordered 10 mg of a medication and the label on the bottle
reads 0.005 grams
per tablet. How many tablets should the client receive?
A. One
B. One and a half
C. Two
D. Three: C. Two
Rationale: Since 1 gram is equal to 1000 milligrams, we can convert the weight of each tablet from grams to milligrams:
0.005 grams = 0.005 * 1000 mg = 5 mg
Now we can compare the ordered dose of 10 mg with the dose contained in each tablet (5 mg).
10 mg / 5 mg = 2 tablets
7. 7. Acyclovir is the first drug known to successfully treat genital herpes. The
brand name for this medication is:
A. Zovirax.
B. Mezlin.
C. Zanthine.
D. Zidovudine.: A. Zovirax
Rationale: is that Zovirax is a well-known brand name for the drug acyclovir, which is widely used to treat genital herpes.
8. 8. The psychiatric technician just received an order for lithium carbonate for
a new client. This medication would be written as:
A. Li2 Co3
B. Li3 Co.
C. Li Co3.
