Mental Health Chapter 3 NCLEX
Questions and Correct Answers.
A 38-year-old patient diagnosed with major depression states, "my provider said something
about the medicine I've been prescribed will affect my neurotransmitters. What exactly are
neurotransmitters?" What is the nurse's best response to the patient's question?
A. "Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that help regulate specific functions
such as depression."
B. "Neurotransmitters are too complicated to explain easily. Just know that the medication will
help your mood and make you less depressed."
C. "Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that are the reason you are depressed."
D. "I will ask your provider to give you a more in-depth explanation about why this medication
will help your depression." - Answer A. "Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the
brain that help regulate specific functions such as depression."
Neurotransmitters are chemicals released from neurons that function as a neuromessenger and
influence brain functions. Telling the patient that the answer is too complicated belittles the
patient by implying she cannot understand, while stating that neurotransmitters are the reason
she is depressed is too simplistic. Asking the provider to give the education abdicates your
responsibility to provide patient education.
A 49-year-old patient diagnosed with schizophrenia at 22 years old is prescribed risperidone.
Which nursing assessment is the priority for this patient?
A. Monitoring blood levels to avoid toxicity
B. Monitoring for abnormal involuntary movements
C. Observing for secondary mania
D. Observing for memory changes - Answer B. Monitoring for abnormal involuntary
movements
Risperidone has the highest rate of extrapyramidal side effects (EPSs) of the second-generation
antipsychotic medications, thus making it imperative to monitor for EPSs. Risperidone is not
monitored with blood levels and does not cause mania or memory changes.
A prescription for which medication would require the nurse to monitor the client for potential
development of the side effect of hypothyroidism?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Bupropion
C. Lithium
D. Imipramine - Answer C. Lithium
Questions and Correct Answers.
A 38-year-old patient diagnosed with major depression states, "my provider said something
about the medicine I've been prescribed will affect my neurotransmitters. What exactly are
neurotransmitters?" What is the nurse's best response to the patient's question?
A. "Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that help regulate specific functions
such as depression."
B. "Neurotransmitters are too complicated to explain easily. Just know that the medication will
help your mood and make you less depressed."
C. "Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that are the reason you are depressed."
D. "I will ask your provider to give you a more in-depth explanation about why this medication
will help your depression." - Answer A. "Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the
brain that help regulate specific functions such as depression."
Neurotransmitters are chemicals released from neurons that function as a neuromessenger and
influence brain functions. Telling the patient that the answer is too complicated belittles the
patient by implying she cannot understand, while stating that neurotransmitters are the reason
she is depressed is too simplistic. Asking the provider to give the education abdicates your
responsibility to provide patient education.
A 49-year-old patient diagnosed with schizophrenia at 22 years old is prescribed risperidone.
Which nursing assessment is the priority for this patient?
A. Monitoring blood levels to avoid toxicity
B. Monitoring for abnormal involuntary movements
C. Observing for secondary mania
D. Observing for memory changes - Answer B. Monitoring for abnormal involuntary
movements
Risperidone has the highest rate of extrapyramidal side effects (EPSs) of the second-generation
antipsychotic medications, thus making it imperative to monitor for EPSs. Risperidone is not
monitored with blood levels and does not cause mania or memory changes.
A prescription for which medication would require the nurse to monitor the client for potential
development of the side effect of hypothyroidism?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Bupropion
C. Lithium
D. Imipramine - Answer C. Lithium
