VARCAROLIS FOUNDATIONS OF
PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ DOXEPIN: Purpose. Answer: treatment of major depression and
anxiety
◉ AMITRIPTYLINE: Nursing Considerations. Answer: Suicide risk
high after 10-14 days due to increased energy
Use safety precautions with hazardous activity
Avoid use with alcohol
Avoid sudden positional changes
Do not discontinue abruptly
May cause serotonin syndrome
Rx; Preg Cat C
◉ AMITRIPTYLINE: Side Effects. Answer: Sedation/drowsiness
Blurred vision, dry mouth, diaphoresis
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Photosensitivity
Constipation, urinary retention
Increased appetite
,Sexual dysfunction
Confusion
Tachycardia, dysrhythmias
Orthostatic hypotension
Hepatitis
Thrombocytopenia
Asthma exacerbation
◉ AMITRIPTYLINE: Purpose. Answer: treatment of major depression
◉ SERTRALINE: Nursing Considerations. Answer: Take consistently
at same time of day; full therapeutic effect may require 4 weeks
Take with food or milk to reduce GI symptoms
Can potentiate effects of digoxin, warfarin, diazepam, aspirin, and
NSAIDs
Avoid use with alcohol, CNS depressants, and disulfiram
Use caution in potentially hazardous activities
May increase risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior
May cause serotonin syndrome
Rx
◉ SERTRALINE: Side Effects. Answer: Headache, agitation
Dizziness, confusion
Tremor
, Nausea, diarrhea
Sweating
Insomnia
Dry mouth
Male sexual dysfunction
Palpitations
Vision abnormalities
SIADH
Hepatitis
Hyponatremia
◉ SERTRALINE: Purpose. Answer: treatment of major depression,
OCD, PTSD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual
dysphoric disorder
◉ PAROXETINE: Nursing Considerations. Answer: Decreases digoxin
levels
Take consistently at same time of day; full therapeutic effects may
require 4 weeks
Take with food or milk to reduce GI symptoms
May increase risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior
May increase risk of bleeding
Avoid use with alcohol, CNS depressants
Use caution in potentially hazardous activities
PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ DOXEPIN: Purpose. Answer: treatment of major depression and
anxiety
◉ AMITRIPTYLINE: Nursing Considerations. Answer: Suicide risk
high after 10-14 days due to increased energy
Use safety precautions with hazardous activity
Avoid use with alcohol
Avoid sudden positional changes
Do not discontinue abruptly
May cause serotonin syndrome
Rx; Preg Cat C
◉ AMITRIPTYLINE: Side Effects. Answer: Sedation/drowsiness
Blurred vision, dry mouth, diaphoresis
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Photosensitivity
Constipation, urinary retention
Increased appetite
,Sexual dysfunction
Confusion
Tachycardia, dysrhythmias
Orthostatic hypotension
Hepatitis
Thrombocytopenia
Asthma exacerbation
◉ AMITRIPTYLINE: Purpose. Answer: treatment of major depression
◉ SERTRALINE: Nursing Considerations. Answer: Take consistently
at same time of day; full therapeutic effect may require 4 weeks
Take with food or milk to reduce GI symptoms
Can potentiate effects of digoxin, warfarin, diazepam, aspirin, and
NSAIDs
Avoid use with alcohol, CNS depressants, and disulfiram
Use caution in potentially hazardous activities
May increase risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior
May cause serotonin syndrome
Rx
◉ SERTRALINE: Side Effects. Answer: Headache, agitation
Dizziness, confusion
Tremor
, Nausea, diarrhea
Sweating
Insomnia
Dry mouth
Male sexual dysfunction
Palpitations
Vision abnormalities
SIADH
Hepatitis
Hyponatremia
◉ SERTRALINE: Purpose. Answer: treatment of major depression,
OCD, PTSD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual
dysphoric disorder
◉ PAROXETINE: Nursing Considerations. Answer: Decreases digoxin
levels
Take consistently at same time of day; full therapeutic effects may
require 4 weeks
Take with food or milk to reduce GI symptoms
May increase risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior
May increase risk of bleeding
Avoid use with alcohol, CNS depressants
Use caution in potentially hazardous activities
