CPRP CPRP Medication Management & Psychopharmacology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics are MOST beneficial for clients who:
- Prefer daily oral medication routines
- Have difficulty with consistent daily oral medication adherence (Correct answer)
- Have no history of psychosis
- Are in the early acute phase of first-episode psychosis
Correct answer: Have difficulty with consistent daily oral medication adherence
Long-acting injectable antipsychotics are particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle with consistent daily oral medication adherence, providing sustained medication delivery.
Question 2: A client asks their CPRP practitioner what SSRIs are used for. The practitioner correctly explains that SSRIs are primarily used to treat:
- Psychotic symptoms like hallucinations
- Depression and anxiety disorders (Correct answer)
- Acute mania in bipolar disorder
- Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia
Correct answer: Depression and anxiety disorders
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, primarily used to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
Question 3: Metabolic syndrome is a significant health concern for clients taking atypical antipsychotics because these medications can cause:
- Decreased appetite and low blood sugar
- Weight gain, elevated blood glucose, and abnormal lipid levels (Correct answer)
- Reduced blood pressure requiring dietary salt supplementation
- Elevated thyroid hormone levels
Correct answer: Weight gain, elevated blood glucose, and abnormal lipid levels
Many atypical antipsychotics are associated with metabolic side effects including weight gain, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia, increasing risk for metabolic syndrome.
Question 4: When supporting medication adherence, a CPRP practitioner should FIRST:
- Explain the consequences of non-compliance
- Explore the client's own beliefs and experiences with the medication (Correct answer)
- Contact the prescribing physician about the client's behavior
- Establish a pill reminder schedule without client input
Correct answer: Explore the client's own beliefs and experiences with the medication
Person-centered adherence support begins with understanding the client's perspective—their beliefs, experiences, concerns, and goals related to medication.
Question 5: A client on antipsychotic medication reports muscle stiffness and restlessness. The CPRP practitioner should:
- Advise the client to stop taking the medication immediately
- Document the symptoms and alert the prescriber to possible extrapyramidal side effects (Correct answer)
- Reassure the client these symptoms are not medication-related
- Recommend over-the-counter remedies without consulting the prescriber
Correct answer: Document the symptoms and alert the prescriber to possible extrapyramidal side effects
Muscle stiffness and restlessness may indicate extrapyramidal side effects (EPS), which should be documented and promptly communicated to the prescribing clinician.
Question 6: Which of the following BEST describes polypharmacy as it relates to psychiatric rehabilitation clients?
- Using one medication at the maximum dose
- The concurrent use of multiple medications, which can increase side effect burden (Correct answer)
- Alternating between medications monthly to prevent tolerance
- Prescribing medications from multiple pharmacies simultaneously
Correct answer: The concurrent use of multiple medications, which can increase side effect burden
Polypharmacy refers to using multiple medications concurrently, which is common in psychiatric populations and can increase the risk of drug interactions and side effects.
CPRP CPRP Medication Management & Psychopharmacology 2
Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics are MOST beneficial for clients who: