McKenna's Pharmacology for Nursing, 2e

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C H A P T E R 2 2 Psychotherapeutic agents

C H E C K Y O U R U N D E R S T A N D I N G

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.

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.