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When a patient is receiving a second-generation antipsychotic drug, such as risperidone, the nurse will monitor for which therapeutic effect?
- A. Fewer panic attacks
- B. Decreased paranoia and delusions
- C. Decreased feeling of hopelessness
- D. Improved tardive dyskinesia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic effects of the antipsychotic drugs include improvement in mood and affect, and alleviation or decrease in psychotic symptoms (decrease in hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, garbled speech). Tardive dyskinesia is a potential adverse effect of these drugs. The other options are incorrect.
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A patient has been taking lithium for 1 year, and the most recent lithium level is 0.5 mEq/L. What concern will the nurse have, if any?
- A. The level is too low, indicating a subtherapeutic dose.
- B. The level is within the therapeutic range.
- C. The level is too high, indicating a toxic dose.
- D. No concerns, as lithium levels do not need monitoring.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic lithium levels are typically between 0.6 and 1.2 mEq/L for maintenance therapy. A level of 0.5 mEq/L is subtherapeutic, which may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Monitoring lithium levels is critical due to its narrow therapeutic index.
A patient has been taking the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) sertraline for about 6 months. At a recent visit, she tells the nurse that she has been interested in herbal therapies and wants to start taking St. John's wort. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
- A. That should be no problem.
- B. Good idea! Hopefully you'll be able to stop taking the Zoloft.
- C. Be sure to stop taking the herb if you notice a change in side effects.
- D. Taking St. John's wort with this medication may cause severe interactions and is not recommended.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The herbal product St. John's wort must not be used with SSRIs because of the potential for serotonin syndrome. The other responses by the nurse are inappropriate.
The nurse is reviewing the food choices of a patient who is taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Which food choice would indicate the need for additional teaching?
- A. Grapefruit juice
- B. Salami sandwich
- C. Scrambled eggs
- D. Pancakes and maple syrup
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cured meats such as salami contain tyramine. Patients who are taking MAOIs need to avoid tyramine-containing foods because of a severe hypertensive reaction that may occur. The other foods listed do not contain tyramine.
The nurse reads in the patient's medication history that the patient is taking buspirone. The nurse interprets that the patient may have which disorder?
- A. Anxiety disorder
- B. Depression
- C. Schizophrenia
- D. Bipolar disorder
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Buspirone is indicated for the treatment of anxiety disorders, not depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder.
The nurse is reviewing medications used for depression. Which of these statements is a reason that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are more widely prescribed today than tricyclic antidepressants?
- A. SSRIs have fewer sexual side effects.
- B. Unlike tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs do not have drug-food interactions.
- C. Tricyclic antidepressants cause serious cardiac dysrhythmias if an overdose occurs.
- D. SSRIs cause a therapeutic response faster than tricyclic antidepressants.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Death from overdose of tricyclic antidepressants usually results from either seizures or dysrhythmias. SSRIs are associated with significantly fewer and less severe systemic adverse effects, especially anticholinergic and cardiovascular adverse effects. The other options are incorrect.