1. Psychopharmacology & Lab Monitoring
Lithium
Q: Why is serum creatinine monitored in a client taking lithium?
o A: Lithium is excreted by the kidneys; creatinine reflects kidney function.
Clozapine
Q: A client taking clozapine has WBC = 1,000/mcL. What is the nurse’s priority action?
o A: Discontinue clozapine (risk for agranulocytosis).
Valproic Acid
Q: What lab test is most important for a client taking valproic acid?
o A: Liver function tests (LFTs).
Disulfiram (Antabuse)
Q: What must a client understand before starting disulfiram?
o A: Abstain from alcohol for at least 12 hours prior to first dose.
Q: What should you teach a client on disulfiram?
o A: Check all products (e.g., medications, mouthwash) for alcohol content.
Haldol & Side Effects
Q: What should the nurse do when a client on haloperidol (Haldol) develops tremors?
o A: Notify the healthcare provider to reduce the dose.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Q: A client on haloperidol develops fever, rigidity, and confusion. What is the likely
diagnosis?
o A: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome.
o Tx: Administer dantrolene.
2. Medication-Induced Side Effects
, Benztropine (Cogentin)
Q: A schizophrenic patient develops dystonia on risperidone. What is the nurse’s action?
o A: Administer benztropine (Cogentin).
Q: A client with schizophrenia taking chlorpromazine develops tardive dyskinesia. What
do you do?
o A: Administer benztropine (Cogentin).
Q: If antipsychotics are discontinued, what should also be discontinued?
o A: Benztropine.
3. Substance Abuse & Withdrawal
Alcohol Withdrawal
Q: A client is admitted after a motor vehicle crash with a high BAC. What medication
should be given if DTs develop?
o A: Lorazepam (Ativan).
Q: Two days after admission for alcohol withdrawal, what should the nurse monitor?
o A: Heart rate and blood pressure.
Methamphetamine Use
Q: A client in the ER has high BP, no alcohol in system, and claims bugs are crawling on
him. What medication should be given?
o A: Lorazepam (Ativan).
4. Eating Disorders
Anorexia
Q: A teenager presents with 20-lb weight loss, hypotension, and irregular menses. What
is the nurse’s priority intervention?
o A: Initiate caloric and nutritional therapy.
Bulimia
Lithium
Q: Why is serum creatinine monitored in a client taking lithium?
o A: Lithium is excreted by the kidneys; creatinine reflects kidney function.
Clozapine
Q: A client taking clozapine has WBC = 1,000/mcL. What is the nurse’s priority action?
o A: Discontinue clozapine (risk for agranulocytosis).
Valproic Acid
Q: What lab test is most important for a client taking valproic acid?
o A: Liver function tests (LFTs).
Disulfiram (Antabuse)
Q: What must a client understand before starting disulfiram?
o A: Abstain from alcohol for at least 12 hours prior to first dose.
Q: What should you teach a client on disulfiram?
o A: Check all products (e.g., medications, mouthwash) for alcohol content.
Haldol & Side Effects
Q: What should the nurse do when a client on haloperidol (Haldol) develops tremors?
o A: Notify the healthcare provider to reduce the dose.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Q: A client on haloperidol develops fever, rigidity, and confusion. What is the likely
diagnosis?
o A: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome.
o Tx: Administer dantrolene.
2. Medication-Induced Side Effects
, Benztropine (Cogentin)
Q: A schizophrenic patient develops dystonia on risperidone. What is the nurse’s action?
o A: Administer benztropine (Cogentin).
Q: A client with schizophrenia taking chlorpromazine develops tardive dyskinesia. What
do you do?
o A: Administer benztropine (Cogentin).
Q: If antipsychotics are discontinued, what should also be discontinued?
o A: Benztropine.
3. Substance Abuse & Withdrawal
Alcohol Withdrawal
Q: A client is admitted after a motor vehicle crash with a high BAC. What medication
should be given if DTs develop?
o A: Lorazepam (Ativan).
Q: Two days after admission for alcohol withdrawal, what should the nurse monitor?
o A: Heart rate and blood pressure.
Methamphetamine Use
Q: A client in the ER has high BP, no alcohol in system, and claims bugs are crawling on
him. What medication should be given?
o A: Lorazepam (Ativan).
4. Eating Disorders
Anorexia
Q: A teenager presents with 20-lb weight loss, hypotension, and irregular menses. What
is the nurse’s priority intervention?
o A: Initiate caloric and nutritional therapy.
Bulimia
