1. A nurse would assess a client treated with an antipsychotic medication for which of the
following behaviors if the antipsychotic medication was stopped? Select all that apply.
A) Hallucinations
B) Anhedonia
C) Delusions
D) Dystonia
E) Flattened affect
2. After teaching a group of nursing students about antipsychotic drugs, the instructor
determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify aripiprazole
(Abilify) as exerting its effect on which of the following in the brain? Select all that
apply.
A) Serotonin
B) Dopamine
C) Norepinephrine
D) Muscarinic
E) Nicotinic
3. A client is prescribed an antipsychotic drug that also has an antiemetic effect. Which of
the following would the nurse identify as having this effect? Select all that apply.
A) Lithium (Eskalith)
B) Aripiprazole (Abilify)
C) Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
D) Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
E) Clozapine (Clozaril)
4. A nurse should be able to differentiate between the typical and atypical antipsychotics.
Which of the following would the nurse identify as an atypical antipsychotic? Select all
that apply.
A) Lithium (Eskalith)
B) Aripiprazole (Abilify)
C) Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
D) Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
E) Clozapine (Clozaril)
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5. After teaching a group of nursing students about antipsychotics, the instructor
determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify which of the
following as a typical antipsychotic? Select all that apply.
A) Lithium (Eskalith)
B) Aripiprazole (Abilify)
C) Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
D) Haloperidol (Haldol)
E) Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
6. When teaching a client who is to receive antipsychotic therapy, the nurse would include
which of the following as a common skin reaction that might occur when initiating
therapy? Select all that apply.
A) Urticaria
B) Stevens-Johnson syndrome
C) Photosensitivity
D) Hyperpigmentation
E) Toxic epidermal necrolysis
7. When describing tardive dyskinesia (TD) associated with the use of antipsychotic
medication, which of the following would the nurse integrate into the teaching plan?
Select all that apply.
A) TD is an early-appearing adverse reaction.
B) TD involves rhythmic, involuntary movements of the facial structures.
C) TD is a reversible adverse effect of antipsychotic drugs.
D) TD is less likely to occur with the use of atypical psychotics.
E) TD can occur after discontinuation of antipsychotic drug therapy.
8. Before administering a prescribed antipsychotic drug to a client, the nurse observes the
client for any behavior patterns that appear to be deviations from normal. Which of the
following would the nurse identify as a deviation? Select all that apply.
A) Poor eye contact
B) Monotone speech pattern
C) Inappropriate laughter
D) Failure to answer questions completely
E) Inappropriate crying
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9. Which of the following are reasons a nurse may need to contact the client's physician to
administer an antipsychotic drug intramuscularly instead of orally? Select all that apply.
A) Client is combative.
B) Client refuses the medication.
C) Client won't allow the nurse to inspect the oral cavity.
D) Client has difficulty swallowing.
E) Client is elderly.
10. A nurse caring for a client receiving clozapine (Clozaril) needs to be mindful of the
symptoms that indicate bone marrow suppression. Assessment of which of the following
would lead the nurse to suspect that the client is experiencing bone marrow
suppression? Select all that apply.
A) Hypertension
B) Sore throat
C) Fever
D) Chills
E) Weakness
11. When assessing a client receiving antipsychotic drugs, the nurse would suspect that the
client is experiencing extrapyramidal syndrome (EPS) based on assessment of which of
the following? Select all that apply.
A) Fine tremor
B) Hypotension
C) Akathisia
D) Anhedonia
E) Dystonia
12. When administering antipsychotic drugs, the nurse would need to keep in mind that
which of the following atypical antipsychotics are most commonly associated with
weight gain? Select all that apply.
A) Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
B) Risperidone (Risperdal)
C) Ziprasidone (Geodon)
D) Quetiapine (Seroquel)
E) Clozapine (Clozaril)
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13. The nurse is providing care to a client receiving clozapine (Clozaril). The nurse would
be alert for an increased risk of bone marrow suppression if the client is also receiving
which of the following? Select all that apply.
A) Immunological agents
B) Anticholinergics
C) Opioids
D) Anticoagulants
14. A nurse assesses a client receiving antipsychotic drugs for which of the following
adverse reactions?
A) Hypertension
B) Skin dryness
C) Dry mouth
D) Bradycardia
15. A nurse observes rhythmic, involuntary facial movements in a client who has been
receiving antipsychotic drugs. The client also makes chewing movements and, at times,
his tongue protrudes. The nurse interprets these findings as which of the following?
A) Stevens-Johnson syndrome
B) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C) Tardive dyskinesia
D) Extrapyramidal syndrome
16. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia. The physician has prescribed
olanzapine in a disintegrating tablet form for the client. Which of the following points
should the nurse include in the teaching plan for the client?
A) Remove the tablet with dry hands.
B) Take the tablet with a full glass of water.
C) Add extra salt to food.
D) Avoid tea or coffee.
17. After administering an antipsychotic to a client, the nurse would immediately report
which of the following?
A) Orthostatic hypotension
B) Dry mouth
C) Rigidity
D) Drowsiness
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18. A client is prescribed clozapine. The nurse instructs the client on the need for weekly
laboratory testing for which of the following?
A) Serum lithium
B) WBC count
C) Blood glucose
D) pH level
19. Antipsychotic therapy with a conventional antipsychotic has been started for a client
with schizophrenia. Assessment reveals that the client is experiencing drowsiness that is
affecting his ability to function. The nurse notes that the client needs assistance with his
activities of daily living and ambulating. Which nursing diagnosis would the nurse most
likely identify?
A) Risk for Infection
B) Risk for Unstable Blood Glucose Level
C) Risk for Injury
D) Impaired Physical Mobility
20. A nurse is administering haloperidol to a client with schizophrenia. The nurse
determines that the drug is effective when there is improvement in which of the
following? Select all that apply.
A) Agitation
B) Alogia
C) Concrete thinking
D) Delusions
E) Hallucinations
21. A client comes to the emergency department and tells the nurse, “I've been hiccoughing
constantly for the past 6 or 7 hours and nothing I do to stop them seems to work.” The
nurse would expect the primary health care provider to prescribe which of the
following?
A) Prochlorperazine
B) Chlorpromazine
C) Haloperidol
D) Olanzapine
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22. The caregiver of a client who is started on antipsychotic drug therapy asks the nurse
when the client's symptoms will improve. Which response by the nurse would be most
appropriate?
A) “You should notice an improvement in the next day or two.”
B) “It might take about 6 weeks or so before the drug is most effective.”
C) “There's no way to tell but usually it takes about a week.”
D) “Look for movements of his face, mouth, or jaw and that's the sign.”
23. A client is receiving antipsychotic therapy. As part of the client's plan of care, the nurse
assesses the client for possible adverse reactions. Which of the following would lead the
nurse to suspect that the client is experiencing extrapyramidal effects? Select all that
apply.
A) Mask-like facial appearance
B) Increased motor activity
C) Facial grimacing
D) Delusions
E) Flat affect
24. A nurse is required to administer an antipsychotic agent parenterally. After
administering the drug, the nurse would ensure that the client remains lying down for
which time frame?
A) 15 minutes
B) 30 minutes
C) 45 minutes
D) 60 minutes
25. The nurse is providing care to an older adult who is receiving antipsychotic therapy. The
primary health care provider prescribes an oral liquid concentrate. When administering
the drug, the nurse would mix the drug with which of the following? Select all that
apply.
A) Fruit juice
B) Milk
C) Pudding
D) Soup
E) Green leafy vegetables
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26. A client with schizophrenia is prescribed antipsychotic therapy. When developing the
plan of care for the client, the nurse integrates understanding that the client is at risk for
extrapyramidal syndrome. The nurse would expect to assess the client for this adverse
reaction at which time?
A) Once a week
B) At the initiation of therapy
C) When the dose is reduced
D) Every 3 months
E) When the dose is increased
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Answer Key
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
A, B, C, E
A, B
C, D
B, E
C, D, E
A, C
B, D, E
A, B, C, D, E
A, B, C
B, C, D, E
A, C, E
A, B
A
C
C
A
C
B
C
A, D, E
B
B
A, B, C
B
A, B, C, D
B, C, E
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