Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Study Guide
Rated A+
1). They combat the extrapyramidal side effects of the neuroleptic drug.
Ans: A nurse is administering medications to clients on a psychiatric unit. What does
the nurse identify as the reason that so many psychiatric clients are given the drug
benztropine or trihexyphenidyl in conjunction with the phenothiazine-derivative
neuroleptic medications?
2). Torticollis
Ans: acute dystonia that involves muscle spasms of the neck; develops within 1 to 5
days after beginning therapy with a conventional antipsychotic
3). Tardive dyskinesia
Ans: involuntary repetitious tonic muscular spasms that involve the face, tongue, lips,
limbs, and trunk; takes several months to years to develop after the start of therapy with a
conventional antipsychotic
d/c if observed, may be reversible
4). Pseudoparkinsonism
Ans: extrapyramidal tract response that includes masklike facies, shuffling gait, pill-
rolling tremors, stooped posture, and drooling; develops within several days to 1 month
after the start of therapy with a conventional antipsychotic
5). Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Ans: severe, potentially fatal response to conventional antipsychotics
caused by acute reduction in dopamine activity, precipitating hyperthermia/pyrexia,
tachycardia, tachypnea, unstable blood pressure, dyskinesia, incontinence, decreased
level of consciousness
6). Clozapine
PaperStoc.com Page 1 of 9
, Ans: 2nd gen atypical antipsychotic drug that is more effective than other second-
generation antipsychotics
Seizures, sedation, and akathisia are common side effects
contraindicated in clients with bone marrow depression
may cause agranulocytosis, the client's white blood cell (WBC) count should be monitored
weekly. The drug should be discontinued if the count falls below 3,000/mm 3
use with caution in clients with seizures
7). Isocarboxazid
Ans: MAOI
Circulatory collapse is associated with toxicity
8). Fluphenazine
Ans: typical antipsychotic
Acute dystonic reactions such as tremors, dyskinesia, and akathisia are observable side
effects
decreased salivating
9). Haloperidol
Ans: antipsychotic drug used in the long-term treatment of psychosis
Gynecomastia is one of the adverse effects of this drug
Potential adverse effects: pseudoparkinsonism and urinary retention related to
extrapyramidal syndrome
10). Ziprasidone
Ans: atypical antipsychotic
contraindicated in clients with a history of dysrhythmias
PaperStoc.com Page 2 of 9
Rated A+
1). They combat the extrapyramidal side effects of the neuroleptic drug.
Ans: A nurse is administering medications to clients on a psychiatric unit. What does
the nurse identify as the reason that so many psychiatric clients are given the drug
benztropine or trihexyphenidyl in conjunction with the phenothiazine-derivative
neuroleptic medications?
2). Torticollis
Ans: acute dystonia that involves muscle spasms of the neck; develops within 1 to 5
days after beginning therapy with a conventional antipsychotic
3). Tardive dyskinesia
Ans: involuntary repetitious tonic muscular spasms that involve the face, tongue, lips,
limbs, and trunk; takes several months to years to develop after the start of therapy with a
conventional antipsychotic
d/c if observed, may be reversible
4). Pseudoparkinsonism
Ans: extrapyramidal tract response that includes masklike facies, shuffling gait, pill-
rolling tremors, stooped posture, and drooling; develops within several days to 1 month
after the start of therapy with a conventional antipsychotic
5). Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Ans: severe, potentially fatal response to conventional antipsychotics
caused by acute reduction in dopamine activity, precipitating hyperthermia/pyrexia,
tachycardia, tachypnea, unstable blood pressure, dyskinesia, incontinence, decreased
level of consciousness
6). Clozapine
PaperStoc.com Page 1 of 9
, Ans: 2nd gen atypical antipsychotic drug that is more effective than other second-
generation antipsychotics
Seizures, sedation, and akathisia are common side effects
contraindicated in clients with bone marrow depression
may cause agranulocytosis, the client's white blood cell (WBC) count should be monitored
weekly. The drug should be discontinued if the count falls below 3,000/mm 3
use with caution in clients with seizures
7). Isocarboxazid
Ans: MAOI
Circulatory collapse is associated with toxicity
8). Fluphenazine
Ans: typical antipsychotic
Acute dystonic reactions such as tremors, dyskinesia, and akathisia are observable side
effects
decreased salivating
9). Haloperidol
Ans: antipsychotic drug used in the long-term treatment of psychosis
Gynecomastia is one of the adverse effects of this drug
Potential adverse effects: pseudoparkinsonism and urinary retention related to
extrapyramidal syndrome
10). Ziprasidone
Ans: atypical antipsychotic
contraindicated in clients with a history of dysrhythmias
PaperStoc.com Page 2 of 9
