A nurse is caring for a psychiatric patient who is receiving an antacid that contains aluminum salts. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate?
- A. Give the antacid 1 hour before the antipsychotic medication.
- B. Give the antacid at the same time as the antipsychotic medication.
- C. Administer the antacid 1 hour after the antipsychotic medication.
- D. Administer the antacid just before the patient goes to sleep.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aluminum-containing antacids can bind with antipsychotics in the gut, reducing absorption. Administering the antacid 1 hour before the antipsychotic ensures proper absorption of the medication. Giving them together or after may interfere, and bedtime administration is irrelevant to absorption timing.
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A nurse is reviewing information about a psychiatric medication that describes the amount of the drug that actually reaches systemic circulation unchanged. The nurse identifies this as which of the following?
- A. First-pass effect
- B. Bioavailability
- C. Solubility
- D. Biotransformation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bioavailability is the proportion of a drug that reaches systemic circulation unchanged. The first-pass effect reduces bioavailability, solubility affects dissolution, and biotransformation is metabolism, not systemic delivery.
A group of nursing students are reviewing the various drug classes used to treat psychiatric disorders. The students demonstrate understanding when they identify which of the following as examples of antianxiety medications? Select all that apply.
- A. Selegiline
- B. Lorazepam
- C. Buspirone
- D. Zolpidem
- E. Methylphenidate
Correct Answer: B,C
Rationale: Lorazepam (B), a benzodiazepine, and buspirone (C), a non-benzodiazepine, are antianxiety medications. Selegiline is an MAOI, zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic, and methylphenidate is a stimulant, not used for anxiety.
A hospitalized patient who has been taking an antipsychotic medication for 2 weeks begins pacing and walking throughout the unit. He tells the nurse that he cannot sit still. The nurse documents this finding as which of the following?
- A. Akinesia
- B. Dystonia
- C. Pseudoparkinsonism
- D. Akathisia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Akathisia is characterized by restlessness and an inability to sit still, common with antipsychotics. Akinesia involves reduced movement, dystonia causes muscle spasms, and pseudoparkinsonism mimics Parkinson?s symptoms like tremor, not restlessness.
A group of nursing students are reviewing information related to drug therapy for mood disorders. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when they identify which agent as the gold standard for treating bipolar disorder?
- A. Carbamazepine
- B. Lithium
- C. Valproate
- D. Lamotrigine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium is the gold standard for bipolar disorder due to its proven efficacy in stabilizing mood and preventing manic episodes. Carbamazepine, valproate, and lamotrigine are used but are not considered the primary standard.
A nurse is working as part of a team involved with the testing of a new psychiatric medication. The drug is currently being used in multiple clinical trials at various different sites. The nurse is engaged in which phase of testing?
- A. Phase I
- B. Phase II
- C. Phase III
- D. Phase IV
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Phase III clinical trials involve testing a drug in multiple sites with larger populations to confirm efficacy and safety, matching the scenario. Phase I tests safety in small groups, Phase II assesses efficacy in a limited population, and Phase IV occurs post-market.
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