Nokea
A nurse administers a hypnotic medication that potentiates the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Which finding would be expected?
- A. Reduced anxiety
- B. Improved memory
- C. More organized thinking
- D. Fewer sensory perceptual alterations
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Increased levels of GABA reduce anxiety; thus, any potentiation of GABA action should result in anxiety reduction. Memory enhancement is associated with acetylcholine and substance P. Thought disorganization is associated with dopamine. GABA is not associated with sensory perceptual alterations.
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A patient's partner, who is a chemist, asks a nurse how serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) lift depression. What response will the nurse provide?
- A. Destroys increased amounts of neurotransmitters.
- B. Makes more serotonin available at the synaptic gap.
- C. Increases production of acetylcholine and dopamine.
- D. Blocks muscarinic and ?±??-norepinephrine receptors.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Depression is thought to be related to the lowered availability of the neurotransmitter serotonin. SSRIs act by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, leaving a higher concentration available at the synaptic cleft. They actually prevent the destruction of serotonin, have no effect on acetylcholine and dopamine production, and do not block muscarinic or ?±??-norepinephrine receptors.
A patient prescribed a muscarinic-receptor blocker, will require assess for what side effect?
- A. Dry mouth
- B. Gynecomastia
- C. Pseudoparkinsonism
- D. Orthostatic hypotension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Muscarinic-receptor blockade includes atropine-like side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation. Gynecomastia is associated with decreased prolactin levels. Movement defects are associated with dopamine blockade. Orthostatic hypotension is associated with ?±??-receptor antagonism.
A patient is hospitalized for major depressive disorder. A nurse can expect to likely provide the patient with teaching about which medication?
- A. Chlordiazepoxide
- B. Fluoxetine
- C. Clozapine
- D. Tacrine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), an antidepressant that blocks the reuptake of serotonin with few anticholinergic and sedating side effects; clozapine (Clozaril) is an antipsychotic medication; chlordiazepoxide (Librium) is an anxiolytic drug; and tacrine (Cognex) is used to treat Alzheimer's disease.
The laboratory report for a patient taking clozapine indicates the patient is experiencing agranulocytosis. The nurse should implement which intervention first?
- A. Report the laboratory results to the health care provider.
- B. Give the next dose of the medication as prescribed.
- C. Administer aspirin and force fluids.
- D. Repeat the laboratory tests.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: These laboratory values indicate the possibility of agranulocytosis, a serious side effect of clozapine therapy. These results must be immediately reported to the health care provider. The drug should be withheld because the health care provider will discontinue it. The health care provider may repeat the laboratory test, but, in the meantime, the drug should be withheld. Giving aspirin and forcing fluids are measures that are less important than stopping the administration of the drug.
A patient has delusions and hallucinations. Before beginning treatment with a psychotropic medication, the health care provider wants to rule out the presence of a brain tumor. For which test will a nurse need to prepare the patient?
- A. Cerebral arteriogram
- B. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
- C. Computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- D. Positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A CT scan and an MRI visualize neoplasms and other structural abnormalities. A PET scan, SPECT scan, and fMRI, which give information about brain function, are not indicated. An arteriogram would not be appropriate.