Mental Health Chapter 3 Practice Questions

A 38-year-old patient diagnosed with major depression states, "my provider said something about the medicine I've been prescribed will affect my neurotransmitters. What exactly are neurotransmitters?" What is the nurse's best response to the patient's question? A. "Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that help regulate specific functions such as depression." B. "Neurotransmitters are too complicated to explain easily. Just know that the medication will help your mood and make you less depressed." C. "Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that are the reason you are depressed." D. "I will ask your provider to give you a more in-depth explanation about why this medication will help your depression."

A. "Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that help regulate specific functions such as depression."

When treating mental illnesses with psychotropic drugs what is the focus of the treatment? A. Altering brain neurochemistry. B. Correcting brain anatomical defects. C. Regulating social behaviors. D. Activating the body's normal response to stress.

A. Altering brain neurochemistry.

What is the function of a neuron? A. Conduction of electrical impulses B. Diffuses an impulse across a space C. Provides a space at an axon terminal D, Provides an attachment point of the cell surface

A. Conduction of electrical impulses

The nurse caring for a client prescribed risperidone observes the client carefully for which possible side effects?Select all that apply. A. Daytime sleepiness B. Reports of heartburn C. A rapid heartbeat D. Sexual dysfunction E. A weight gain

A. Daytime sleepiness D. Sexual dysfunction E. A weight gain

Based on the current understanding of brain physiology, which neurotransmitter would be the expected target of medication prescribed to manage depression? Select all that apply. A. Dopamine B. γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) C. Serotonin D. Norepinephrine E. Acetylcholine

A. Dopamine C. Serotonin D. Norepinephrin

What term is used to identify the structures that respond to stimuli, conduct electrical impulses, and release neurotransmitters? A. Neurons B. Synapses C. Dendrites D. Receptors

A. Neurons

Which organ secretes hormones that are a normal component of the body's general response to stress? Select all that apply. A. Thyroid gland B. Hypothalamus C. Pituitary gland D. Adrenal glands E. Parathyroid glands

B. Hypothalamus C. Pituitary gland D. Adrenal glands

A 49-year-old patient diagnosed with schizophrenia at 22 years old is prescribed risperidone. Which nursing assessment is the priority for this patient? A. Monitoring blood levels to avoid toxicity B. Monitoring for abnormal involuntary movements C. Observing for secondary mania D. Observing for memory changes

B. Monitoring for abnormal involuntary movements

Which imaging technique can provide information about brain function? A. Computed tomography (CT) scan B. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan C. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan D. Skull radiograph

B. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

When a tumor of the cerebellum is present, the nurse should expect that the client would initially demonstrate which sign/symptom? A. Impaired balance B. Abnormal eye movement C. Impaired social judgment D. Blood pressure irregularities

A. Impaired balance

The medication prescribed for a client acts by blocking reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. The nurse evaluates the treatment as successful when observing which client behavior? A. Laughing at a joke B. Apologizing for being sarcastic C. Writing down his telephone number D. Going to his room to "calm down"

A. Laughing at a joke

The nurse responsible for the care of a client prescribed clonazepam should evaluate treatment as being successful when the client demonstrates which behavior? A. Less anxiety B. Normal appetite C. Improved physical balance D. Reduced auditory hallucinations

A. Less anxiety

The incoherent thought and speech patterns of the client diagnosed with schizophrenia are related to the brain's inability to perform which function? A. Regulate conscious mental activity. B. Retain and recall past experience. C. Regulate social behavior. D. Maintain homeostasis.

A. Regulate conscious mental activity.

Which function is classified as a circadian rhythm? A. Sex drive B. Sleep cycle C. Skeletal muscle contraction D. Maintenance of a focused stream of consciousness

B. Sleep cycle

Homeostasis is promoted by interaction between the brain and internal organs and is mediated by component of the nervous system? A. The central nervous system B. The autonomic nervous system C. The sympathetic nervous system D. The parasympathetic nervous system

B. The autonomic nervous system

Which assessment should the nurse perform to evaluate the pharmacokinetic affect of a monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) antidepressant medication? A. The status of the client's appetite B. The results of the liver function test C. The level of depression exhibited by the client D. The client's current sleeping patterns

B. The results of the liver function test

The nurse caring for a client prescribed an antidepressant medication that produces anticholinergic side effects should assess for which possible side effects? Select all that apply. A. Memory dysfunction B. Ejaculatory dysfunction C. Blurred vision D. Dry mouth E. Constipation

C. Blurred vision D. Dry mouth E. Constipation

A prescription for which medication would require the nurse to monitor the client for potential development of the side effect of hypothyroidism? A. Fluoxetine B. Bupropion C. Lithium D. Imipramine

C. Lithium

What assessment question will provide the nurse with information regarding the effects of a woman's circadian rhythms on her quality of life? a. "How much sleep do you usually get each night?" b. "Does your heart ever seem to skip a beat?" c. "When was the last time you had a fever?" d. "Do you have problems urinating?"

a. "How much sleep do you usually get each night?"

Which statement made by a patient prescribed bupropion (Wellbutrin) demonstrates that the medication education the patient received was effective? Select all that apply. a. "I hope Wellbutrin will help my depression and also help me to finally quit smoking." b. "I'm happy to hear that I won't need to worry too much about weight gain." c. "It's okay to take Wellbutrin since I haven't had a seizure in 6 months." d. "I need to be careful about driving since the medication could make me drowsy." e. "My partner and I have discussed the possible effects this medication could have on our sex life."

a. "I hope Wellbutrin will help my depression and also help me to finally quit smoking." b. "I'm happy to hear that I won't need to worry too much about weight gain."

A nurse reviews an order for a CYP450 test. He explains to his patient from Thailand that the test will determine how the antidepressant will be: a. Metabolized b. Absorbed c. Administered d. Excreted

a. Metabolized

The nurse administers each of the following drugs to various patients. The patient who should be most carefully assessed for fluid and electrolyte imbalance is the one receiving: a. lithium (Eskalith) b. clozapine (Clozaril) c. diazepam (Valium) d. amitriptyline

a. lithium (Eskalith

You realize that your patient who is being treated for a major depressive disorder requires more teaching when she makes the following statement: a. "I have been on this antidepressant for 3 days. I realize that the full effect may not happen for a period of weeks." b. "I am going to ask my nurse practitioner to discontinue my Prozac today and let me start taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor tomorrow." c. "I may ask to have my medication changed to Wellbutrin due to the problems I am having being romantic with my wife." d. "I realize that there are many antidepressants and it might take a while until we find the one that works best for me."

b. "I am going to ask my nurse practitioner to discontinue my Prozac today and let me start taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor tomorrow."

A psychiatric nurse is reviewing prescriptions for a patient with major depression at the county clinic. Since the patient has a mild intellectual disability, the nurse would question which classification of antidepressant drugs: a. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors b. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors c. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors d. All of the above

b. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Which drug group calls for nursing assessment for development of abnormal movement disorders among individuals who take therapeutic dosages? a. SSRIs b. anti-psychotics c. benzodiazepines d. tricyclic antidepressants

b. anti-psychotics

Besides antianxiety agents, which classification of drugs is also commonly given to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders? a. Antipsychotics b. Mood stabilizers c. Antidepressants d. Cholinesterase inhibitors

c. Antidepressants

Psychotropic drugs have been used for more than half a century. What statement regarding their current status is true? a. Only one classification of psychotropic drugs exists. b. The Food and Drug Administration no longer approves new antidepressants. c. We do not know exactly how they work. d. Chlorpromazine (Thorazine), the first psychotropic, continues to be the treatment of choice with hallucinations

c. We do not know exactly how they work.

A patient being treated for insomnia is prescribed ramel-teon (Rozerem). Which comorbid mental health condition would make this medication the hypnotic of choice for this particular patient? a. Obsessive-compulsive disorder b. Generalized anxiety disorder c. Persistent depressive disorder d. Substance use disorder

d. Substance use disorder