NCLEX Pharmacology Mental Health REVIEW Exam | Updated Fall 2025/2026 | Correct Answers.

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NCLEX REVIEW QUESTIONS Pharmacology Mental Health Question 1 Which of the following classes of drugs is the most fatal if a patient overdoses? o Antihistamines o Benzodiazepines o Tricyclic an... tidepressants o Typical antipsychotics Question 2 A patient is admitted to the hospital for an overdose of oxycodone. The nurse should expect the physician to order the administration of: o Flumazenil o Methadone o Naloxone o Naltrexone Question 3 A patient has been prescribed trazodone for the treatment of depression. To manage this medication’s most common side effect, the nurse should instruct the patient to take this medication: o Before bedtime. o With a full glass of milk. o With an antacid. o With food. Question 4 A nurse on the med-surg floor is caring for an elderly patient with sundowner’s syndrome. During the day, the patient is alert and oriented, but when the sun sets, the patient becomes confused, irritable, and agitated. The doctor has ordered lorazepam 0.5 mg slow IV push every 6 hours for agitation and confusion. The nurse knows lorazepam can be used in the hospital setting for agitation in the elderly for which of the following reasons? o Elderly patients need to be well rested, and lorazepam will help them sleep. o Lorazepam has a shorter-half life and will not accumulate (stay in the circulation) as long in the elderly as other benzodiazepines. o Lorazepam is not habit-forming and will not cause drowsiness. o The nurse is too busy taking care of other patients, so lorazepam helps provide more free time for the nurses to assist them. Question 5 A patient is prescribed lorazepam for anxiety. The nurse should include which of the following as possible side effects in the patient’s education? Select all that apply.  Barking cough  Confusion  Diarrhea  Dizziness  Increased risk of infections  Lethargy Question 6 The nurse is providing instructions to a patient taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for depression. The nurse should include which of the following precautions? Select all that apply.  “Avoid aged meats.”  “Avoid alcohol.”  “Avoid caffeine.”  “Avoid green leafy vegetables.”  “Only walk with help from another person.”  “Take the medication with the full 8 ounce glass of milk.”  “Weat incontinence pads.” Question 7 A patient taking fluoxetine is admitted to the hospital due to serotonin syndrome. Which of the following are symptoms of serotonin syndrome? Select all that apply.  Agitation  Constipation  Hypotension  Myoclonic jerking  Tachycardia Question 8 A patient is prescribed zolpidem for the treatment of insomnia. The nurse should instruct the patient by stating: Select all that apply.  “Avoid alcohol with this medication.”  “Avoid driving or operating machinery after taking this medication.”  “If you will not be able to get 7 hours of sleep, do not take the medication.”  “Take another dose if you awaken during the night.”  “Take this medication 2 hours before bedtime.” Question 9 A patient admitted to the psychiatric unit is prescribed aripiprazole. The nurse understands that this medication is a(n): o Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. o Atypical antipsychotic. o Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. o Typical antipsychotic. Question 10 A 45-year-old client presents to the clinic for complaints of increased somnolence (extreme sleepfulness) related to shift work. The shifts involve the client working from 8 PM to 8 AM one week, then off for 2 days, then working from 8 AM to 8 PM for a week. The doctor is writing a prescription for the patient to assist with excess drowsiness related to the unconventional work schedule. The nurse knows that this patient may be treated with which of the following medication? o atomoxetine o caffeine citrate o modafinil o sertraline Question 11 A schizophrenic patient is receiving haloperidol. Extrapyramidal side effects are linked to haloperidol. Which of the following are extrapyramidal side effects? Select all that apply.  Echolalia  Seizures  Shuffling gait  Tardive dyskinesia  Tremors  Verbal tics Question 12 Which of the following would require careful monitoring for a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder taking methylphenidate? o Dental health o Excessive appetite o Height and weight o Mouth dryness Question 13 A nurse on the psychiatric unit is preparing to admit a patient with bipolar disorder. The nurse knows that the most common drug used to treat bipolar is which of the following? o Elavil (amitriptyline) o Lithium (lithium salts) o Bupropion o fluoxetine Question 14 A patient has been taking doxepin for 6 months. Which statement by the patient indicates the need for further instruction? o “I should avoid pregnancy while on this medication.” o “I will avoid over the counter drugs.” o “I will immediately discontinue this medication if I experience dizziness.” o “I will report any chest pain.” Question 15 A patient receiving haloperidol for acute psychosis is experiencing extrapyramidal side effects. To counter these side effects, the nurse would expect the physician to order: o Quetiapine o Ziprasidone o Donepezil o Trihexyphenidyl Question 16 A patient prescribed to alprazolam needs patient education. The nurse explains that this medication is used to treat: o Anxiety. o Bipolar disorder. o Depression o Psychosis Question 17 A patient is prescribed imipramine for the treatment of depression. The nurse should educate the patient about which dangerous side effect? o Congestive heart failure o Guillain-Barre syndrome o Hyperglycemia o Seizures Question 18 A nurse on the psychiatric unit is caring for a patient with schizophrenia. The patient is receiving scheduled doses 3 times daily of haloperidol (Haldol) 10 mg by mouth. The nurse knows that haloperidol is used in patients with schizophrenia to treat which of the following? Select all that apply.  Agitation  Hallucinations  Tremors and seizures  Psychosis Question 19 A patient is administered chlorpromazine for acute psychosis. The nurse should be alert for which potential side effect? o Cerebral edema o Hypertensive crisis o Serotonin syndrome o Tardive dyskinesia Question 20 A nurse is gathering health history information from a patient. The patient says she takes buspirone but does not know why. The nurse should educate the patient about this drug knowing it is used to treat: o Anxiety. o Bipolar disorder. o Schizophrenia. o Suicidal ideation. Question 21 A patient is admitted to the psychiatric unit for suicidal ideation. The physician prescribes escitalopram and asks the nurse to review the side effects with the patient. The nurse should include which common side effect in the patient edcuation? Select all that apply.  Confusion  Constipation  Insomnia  Sexual dysfunction  Weight gain  Weight loss Question 22 A patient diagnosed with depression is interested in smoking cessation. The physician would most likely prescribe what antidepressant that also aids in smoking cessation? o Bupropion o Mirtazapine o Nefazodone o Trazadone Question 23 A patient is admitted to the psychiatric unit for acute agitation and anxiety. The physician orders a long- acting benzodiazepine. The nurse expects to administer which of the following? o Clonazepam o Diazepam o Lorazepam o Midazolam Question 24 A manic patient has been taking lithium for 9 months. When the patient’s serum laboratory results are complete, the nurse should compare the patient’s lithium levels to what therapeutic range? o 0.2-0.8 mEq/L o 0.6-1.2 mEq/L o 1.2-2 mEq/L o 2.4-3.2 mEq/L Question 25 A patient is admitted to the hospital after taking an overdose of imipramine. The nurse administers activated charcoal knowing that the charcoal will: o Bind with the drug. o Compete for receptor sites. o Induce vomiting. o Neutralize all gastric contents. Question 26 The nurse is caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease who is taking donepezil. The nurse should assess the patient for which of the following side effects associated with donepezil? o Bradycardia o Constipation o Dry mouth o Tachycardia Question 28 A nurse is assessing a patient for lithium toxicity. Which of the following clinical manifestations are present during lithium toxicity? Select all that apply.  Tremors  Diarrhea  Dry skin  Ataxia  Blurred vision  Polyuria Question 29 A patient receiving ziprasidone for schizophrenia has Parkinson’s-like symptoms. To decrease the Parkinson’s-like side effects, the nurse should advocate for which of the following medications? o Benztropine o Bethanechol o Ropinirole o Levodopa Question 30 Nurses may be required to administer antipsychotic medications like prochlorperazine for a variety of reasons including delusions, hallucinations, combativeness, or for the relief of nausea and vomiting. One of the potential adverse side effects of antipsychotics is tardive dyskinesia. The nurse knows that tardive dyskinesia is which of the following? o Extreme somnolence with difficulty walking o Ringing sound in the ears with dizziness o Severe agitation with violent outbursts o Slow, rhythmical, involuntary movements or tics, which may be irreversible Question 31 A patient prescribed carbamazepine needs education about side effects associated with this medication. The nurse should mention which of the following? Select all that apply.  Barking cough  Excessive salivation  Risk of liver damage  Risk of thyroid damage  Risk of bone marrow suppression  Polyuria Question 32 A 14-year-old is prescribed methylphenidate for the treatement of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The nurse instructs the patient on the potential side effects, including which of the following: Select all that apply.  Constipation.  Insomnia.  Loss of appetite.  Nervousness.  Sedation.  Urinary retention. Question 33 The nurse is caring for a client who has been taking lamotrigine for two years. Which of the following would indicate to the nurse that the medication is effective? o The patient has a lower Hemoglobin A1c. o The patient has a lower blood pressure. o The patient has reduced tremors. o The patient has an absence of seizures. Question 34 A patient who is diagnosed with depression is taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). What medication should be immediately available for administration when the nurse is assessing the patient for a hypertensive crisis? o Atenolol o Digoxin o Furosemide o Phentolamine Question 35 A patient has been prescribed phenelzine for the treatment of depression. The nurse should instruct the patient about which common side effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)? Select all that apply.  Arrhythmias  Dizziness  Excessive salivation and tears  Incontinence  Orthostatic hypotension Question 36 A patient has been started on valproic acid for the treatment of bipolar disorder. The nurse should instruct the patient to do which of the following? o Stop taking the medication if you experience weight gain. o Stop taking the medication if you experience headaches. o Use a generous amount of sunscreen to avoid photosensitivity. o Notify the physician if you become pregnant or if you are planning on becoming pregnant. Question 37 A patient taking duloxetine for depression is receiving instructions regarding possible adverse reactions to the drug. In some situations routine blood tests may be necessary. The nurse informs the patient that the blood tests are for monitoring: o Blood pressure. o Blood sugar. o Kidney function. o Liver function. Question 38 The nurse in a pediatric clinic is preparing to educate the parents of a 12-year-old child with complaints of bedwetting. Many measures have been attempted to assist the child, but the bedwetting coninues. The doctor has prescribed a tricyclic medication to help decrease the incidence of bedwetting. The nurse knows the most common tricyclic used to treat bedwetting (enuresis) is which one of the following? o bupropion o paroxetine o venlafaxine o imipramine Question 38 The nurse in a pediatric clinic is preparing to educate the parents of a 12-year-old child with complaints of bedwetting. Many measures have been attempted to assist the child, but the bedwetting coninues. The doctor has prescribed a tricyclic medication to help decrease the incidence of bedwetting. The nurse knows the most common tricyclic used to treat bedwetting (enuresis) is which one of the following? o bupropion o paroxetine o venlafaxine o imipramine Question 39 A patient with refractory (difficult to treat) depression is being discharged from the psychiatric unit. The patient has been started on an MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor). The nurse is preparing discharge instructions for the patient. The nurse should include which of the following instructions? o “Check blood pressure daily because of the risk of hypotension.” o “Occasional consumption of red wine is permitted.” o “Continue taking fluoxetine with the MAOI.” o “Avoid foods and drinks containing tyramine, tryptamine, or tryptophan.” Question 40 The nurse working in a pediatric clinic is educating the parents of a child diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who has been started on methylphenidate. The nurse is sure to tell the parents which of the following? o “Methylphenidate has few side effects but may cause weight gain.” o “Methylphenidate is an amphetamine and should be stored in a secure area.” o “Methylphenidate is safe without risk of drug dependence.” o “Methylphenidate may cause drowsiness and low blood pressure.” [Show More]

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