Psychopharmacology for Psychiatric Nurses Flashcards

Which second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia?

Answer: Clozapine (Clozaril)

Clozapine is the only FDA-approved antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, though its use requires strict monitoring due to agranulocytosis risk.

A psychiatric nurse administers haloperidol (Haldol) and the patient develops acute muscle spasms of the neck and jaw. Which condition has occurred?

Answer: Acute dystonia

Acute dystonia — sudden, sustained involuntary muscle contractions, commonly affecting the neck (torticollis) and jaw — is an acute extrapyramidal side effect of antipsychotics.

Which medication is used to treat extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) caused by antipsychotics?

Answer: Benztropine (Cogentin)

Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to treat EPS including acute dystonia, pseudoparkinsonism, and akathisia caused by antipsychotic drugs.

Which nursing intervention is most important when a patient taking clozapine develops a sore throat and fever?

Answer: Obtain a CBC with differential and notify the provider immediately

Sore throat and fever in a patient on clozapine may indicate agranulocytosis; an immediate CBC with differential is required to assess the white blood cell count.

Which pharmacological treatment is used in psychiatric nursing to manage acute alcohol withdrawal with risk of seizures?

Answer: Benzodiazepine protocol guided by CIWA-Ar scores

Benzodiazepines titrated to CIWA-Ar scores are the standard pharmacological treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal to prevent seizures and delirium tremens.

A patient on lithium is also prescribed ibuprofen for pain. What interaction should the psychiatric nurse anticipate?

Answer: Ibuprofen can increase serum lithium levels, raising toxicity risk

NSAIDs like ibuprofen reduce renal lithium clearance, causing serum lithium levels to rise and increasing the risk of lithium toxicity.