C H A P T E R 2 2
Psychotherapeutic agents
351
C H E C K Y O U R U N D E R S T A N D I N G
Answers to the questions in this chapter can be found in
Appendix A at the back of this book.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Select the best answer to the following.
1.
Mental disorders are now thought to be caused by
some inherent dysfunction within the brain that
leads to abnormal thought processes and responses.
They include:
a.
depression.
b.
anxiety.
c.
seizures.
d.
schizophrenia.
2.
Antipsychotic drugs are basically:
a.
serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
b.
noradrenaline blockers.
c.
dopamine-receptor blockers.
d.
acetylcholine stimulators.
3.
Adverse effects associated with antipsychotic drugs
are related to the drugs’ effects on receptor sites and
can include:
a.
insomnia and hypertension.
b.
dry mouth, hypotension and glaucoma.
c.
diarrhoea and excessive urination.
d.
increased sexual drive and improved
concentration.
4.
Lithium toxicity can be dangerous. Individual
assessment to evaluate for appropriate lithium levels
would look for:
a.
serum lithium levels greater than 3 mEq/L.
b.
serum lithium levels greater than 4 mEq/L.
c.
serum lithium levels less than 1.5 mEq/L.
d.
undetectable serum lithium levels.
5.
A 6-year-old boy is starting a regimen of Ritalin
(methylphenidate) to control an attention-deficit
disorder. Family teaching should include which of
the following?
a.
This drug can be shared with other family
members who might seem to need it.
b.
This drug may cause insomnia, weight loss and
GI upset.
c.
Do not alert the school nurse to the fact that this
drug is being taken because the child could have
problems later on.
d.
This drug should not be stopped for any reason
for several years.
6.
Antipsychotic drugs are also known as neuroleptic
drugs because:
a.
they cause numerous neurological effects.
b.
they frequently cause epilepsy.
c.
they are also minor tranquillisers.
d.
they are the only drugs known to directly affect
nerves.
7.
Attention-deficit disorders (the inability to
concentrate or focus on an activity) and narcolepsy
(sudden episodes of sleep) are both most effectively
treated with the use of:
a.
neuroinhibitors.
b.
dopamine-receptor blockers.
c.
major tranquillisers.
d.
CNS stimulants.
8.
Haloperidol (
Serenace
) is a potent antipsychotic that
is associated with:
a.
severe extrapyramidal effects.
b.
severe sedation.
c.
severe hypotension.
d.
severe anticholinergic effects.
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
Select all that apply.
1.
Before administering lithium to a person, the nurse
or midwife should check for the concomitant use
of which of the following drugs, which could cause
serious adverse effects?
a.
ibuprofen
b.
haloperidol
c.
thiazide diuretics
d.
antacids
e.
ketoconazole
f.
theophylline
2.
Dyskinesias are a common side effect of
antipsychotic drugs. Care interventions for the
person receiving antipsychotic drugs should include
which of the following?
a.
Positioning to decrease discomfort of dyskinesias.
b.
Implementing safety measures to prevent injury.
c.
Encouraging the person to chew tablets to
prevent choking.
d.
Careful teaching to alert the person and family
about this adverse effect.
e.
Applying ice to the joints to prevent damage.
f.
Pureeing all food to decrease the risk of
aspiration.
