Barkley DRT 1 Post Test Practice Exam | 100%
Actual Questions & Verified Solutions (Latest
Version 2026)
BARKLEY DRT 1 POST TEST PRACTICE EXAM
Latest Version 2026 | Questions | Verified Solutions
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder who has been
prescribed sertraline (Zoloft). Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. "I should take this medication every morning with food."
B. "I may feel better within 2 to 4 weeks of starting this medication."
C. "I can stop taking this medication as soon as I feel better."
D. "I should avoid drinking alcohol while on this medication."
E. "I need to report any thoughts of suicide to my provider immediately."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "I can stop taking this medication as soon as I feel
better."
RATIONALE: SSRIs like sertraline must not be abruptly discontinued. Stopping
suddenly can cause discontinuation syndrome including dizziness, nausea, and flu-like
symptoms. Clients should be taught to continue the medication as prescribed and
consult their provider before stopping.
Question 2: A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia who states, "The TV is
sending me secret messages." This is an example of which type of thinking?
A. Auditory hallucination
B. Loose association
C. Ideas of reference
D. Magical thinking
E. Thought broadcasting
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Ideas of reference
, RATIONALE: Ideas of reference occur when a client believes that external events
or objects have special, personal meaning directed at them. Believing the TV is sending
personal messages is a classic example of ideas of reference seen in schizophrenia.
Question 3: A nurse is monitoring a client taking lithium carbonate. Which laboratory
value should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Serum lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L
B. Serum lithium level of 1.0 mEq/L
C. Serum lithium level of 1.2 mEq/L
D. Serum lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L
E. Serum lithium level of 2.5 mEq/L
CORRECT ANSWER: E. Serum lithium level of 2.5 mEq/L
RATIONALE: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L for maintenance.
A level of 2.5 mEq/L indicates severe toxicity, which can cause seizures, coma, cardiac
arrhythmias, and death. Immediate intervention is required.
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a client in alcohol withdrawal. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Haloperidol (Haldol)
B. Naloxone (Narcan)
C. Lorazepam (Ativan)
D. Methadone
E. Buprenorphine
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Lorazepam (Ativan)
RATIONALE: Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are the first-line treatment for
alcohol withdrawal because they act on GABA receptors similarly to alcohol, preventing
seizures and delirium tremens during the withdrawal process.
,Question 5: A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder says to the nurse,
"You are the only one who understands me. The other nurses are terrible." This
behavior is known as:
A. Projection
B. Manipulation
C. Splitting
D. Transference
E. Regression
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Splitting
RATIONALE: Splitting is a defense mechanism commonly seen in borderline
personality disorder where individuals view people as all good or all bad. The client is
idealizing one nurse while demonizing others, which is a hallmark of this condition.
Question 6: A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which finding should
prompt the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Blood pressure of 118/78 mmHg
B. Apical pulse of 58 bpm
C. Serum potassium of 3.0 mEq/L
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
E. Temperature of 37.2°C
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Serum potassium of 3.0 mEq/L
RATIONALE: Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5 mEq/L) significantly increases the risk of
digoxin toxicity because potassium and digoxin compete for the same binding sites on
the Na+/K+ ATPase pump. Low potassium enhances digoxin's effects and can lead to
fatal arrhythmias.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who reports pain rated 8/10.
The client has an order for morphine 4 mg IV PRN every 4 hours. The last dose was
given 5 hours ago. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Reposition the client for comfort
, B. Administer the ordered morphine dose
C. Assess the client's respiratory rate first
D. Offer non-pharmacological pain relief methods
E. Contact the provider for a stronger analgesic
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Assess the client's respiratory rate first
RATIONALE: Before administering any opioid, the nurse must assess the client's
respiratory rate. Morphine causes respiratory depression, and if the rate is below 12
breaths/min, the medication should be withheld and the provider notified. Assessment
always precedes intervention.
Question 8: A nurse is teaching a client about warfarin therapy. Which food should the
nurse instruct the client to consume consistently?
A. Grapefruit juice
B. Green leafy vegetables
C. Red meat
D. Dairy products
E. Citrus fruits
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Green leafy vegetables
RATIONALE: Green leafy vegetables are high in Vitamin K, which antagonizes
warfarin's anticoagulant effect. Clients should not eliminate them but consume them
consistently to maintain stable INR levels. Dramatic changes in Vitamin K intake can
destabilize anticoagulation therapy.
Question 9: A nurse is assessing a newborn and notes the following: heart rate 120
bpm, respirations 40/min, active movement, loud cry, and acrocyanosis. What is the
Apgar score?
A. 7
B. 8
C. 9
Actual Questions & Verified Solutions (Latest
Version 2026)
BARKLEY DRT 1 POST TEST PRACTICE EXAM
Latest Version 2026 | Questions | Verified Solutions
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder who has been
prescribed sertraline (Zoloft). Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. "I should take this medication every morning with food."
B. "I may feel better within 2 to 4 weeks of starting this medication."
C. "I can stop taking this medication as soon as I feel better."
D. "I should avoid drinking alcohol while on this medication."
E. "I need to report any thoughts of suicide to my provider immediately."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "I can stop taking this medication as soon as I feel
better."
RATIONALE: SSRIs like sertraline must not be abruptly discontinued. Stopping
suddenly can cause discontinuation syndrome including dizziness, nausea, and flu-like
symptoms. Clients should be taught to continue the medication as prescribed and
consult their provider before stopping.
Question 2: A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia who states, "The TV is
sending me secret messages." This is an example of which type of thinking?
A. Auditory hallucination
B. Loose association
C. Ideas of reference
D. Magical thinking
E. Thought broadcasting
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Ideas of reference
, RATIONALE: Ideas of reference occur when a client believes that external events
or objects have special, personal meaning directed at them. Believing the TV is sending
personal messages is a classic example of ideas of reference seen in schizophrenia.
Question 3: A nurse is monitoring a client taking lithium carbonate. Which laboratory
value should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Serum lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L
B. Serum lithium level of 1.0 mEq/L
C. Serum lithium level of 1.2 mEq/L
D. Serum lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L
E. Serum lithium level of 2.5 mEq/L
CORRECT ANSWER: E. Serum lithium level of 2.5 mEq/L
RATIONALE: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L for maintenance.
A level of 2.5 mEq/L indicates severe toxicity, which can cause seizures, coma, cardiac
arrhythmias, and death. Immediate intervention is required.
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a client in alcohol withdrawal. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Haloperidol (Haldol)
B. Naloxone (Narcan)
C. Lorazepam (Ativan)
D. Methadone
E. Buprenorphine
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Lorazepam (Ativan)
RATIONALE: Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are the first-line treatment for
alcohol withdrawal because they act on GABA receptors similarly to alcohol, preventing
seizures and delirium tremens during the withdrawal process.
,Question 5: A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder says to the nurse,
"You are the only one who understands me. The other nurses are terrible." This
behavior is known as:
A. Projection
B. Manipulation
C. Splitting
D. Transference
E. Regression
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Splitting
RATIONALE: Splitting is a defense mechanism commonly seen in borderline
personality disorder where individuals view people as all good or all bad. The client is
idealizing one nurse while demonizing others, which is a hallmark of this condition.
Question 6: A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which finding should
prompt the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Blood pressure of 118/78 mmHg
B. Apical pulse of 58 bpm
C. Serum potassium of 3.0 mEq/L
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
E. Temperature of 37.2°C
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Serum potassium of 3.0 mEq/L
RATIONALE: Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5 mEq/L) significantly increases the risk of
digoxin toxicity because potassium and digoxin compete for the same binding sites on
the Na+/K+ ATPase pump. Low potassium enhances digoxin's effects and can lead to
fatal arrhythmias.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who reports pain rated 8/10.
The client has an order for morphine 4 mg IV PRN every 4 hours. The last dose was
given 5 hours ago. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Reposition the client for comfort
, B. Administer the ordered morphine dose
C. Assess the client's respiratory rate first
D. Offer non-pharmacological pain relief methods
E. Contact the provider for a stronger analgesic
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Assess the client's respiratory rate first
RATIONALE: Before administering any opioid, the nurse must assess the client's
respiratory rate. Morphine causes respiratory depression, and if the rate is below 12
breaths/min, the medication should be withheld and the provider notified. Assessment
always precedes intervention.
Question 8: A nurse is teaching a client about warfarin therapy. Which food should the
nurse instruct the client to consume consistently?
A. Grapefruit juice
B. Green leafy vegetables
C. Red meat
D. Dairy products
E. Citrus fruits
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Green leafy vegetables
RATIONALE: Green leafy vegetables are high in Vitamin K, which antagonizes
warfarin's anticoagulant effect. Clients should not eliminate them but consume them
consistently to maintain stable INR levels. Dramatic changes in Vitamin K intake can
destabilize anticoagulation therapy.
Question 9: A nurse is assessing a newborn and notes the following: heart rate 120
bpm, respirations 40/min, active movement, loud cry, and acrocyanosis. What is the
Apgar score?
A. 7
B. 8
C. 9
