Mental Health Nursing Flashcards
7 cards from real LVN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Mental Health Nursing flashcards as text
A patient taking haloperidol (Haldol) develops severe muscle rigidity, high fever (104°F), and altered mental status. The LVN recognizes this as?
Answer: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
NMS is a life-threatening emergency characterized by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic instability, and altered consciousness.
Which dietary restriction is ESSENTIAL for a patient prescribed phenelzine (Nardil), an MAOI antidepressant?
Answer: Avoid tyramine-rich foods such as aged cheese and red wine.
Tyramine combined with MAOIs causes a hypertensive crisis, which can be life-threatening.
A patient taking lithium carbonate has a serum lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L. The LVN's BEST action is?
Answer: Withhold the dose and notify the RN immediately.
The therapeutic lithium range is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L; a level of 1.8 mEq/L indicates early toxicity requiring immediate notification.
Which side effect of benzodiazepines causes the MOST concern when prescribed to older adult patients?
Answer: Fall risk secondary to excessive sedation
Benzodiazepines cause sedation and impaired coordination in older adults, significantly increasing their risk of falls and fractures.
A patient taking clozapine (Clozaril) reports a sore throat and fever. The LVN's PRIORITY action is?
Answer: Withhold the medication and notify the RN immediately.
Sore throat and fever in a clozapine patient may indicate agranulocytosis, a life-threatening drop in white blood cells requiring immediate evaluation.
Which patient statement indicates a need for FURTHER TEACHING about their newly prescribed SSRI?
Answer: 'I can stop taking this medication as soon as I feel better.'
SSRIs must be tapered gradually under medical supervision; abrupt discontinuation causes withdrawal syndrome and risks relapse.
The LVN administers lorazepam (Ativan) to a patient experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal. What is the PRIMARY purpose of this medication?
Answer: Prevent withdrawal seizures
Benzodiazepines like lorazepam are the first-line treatment for alcohol withdrawal because they prevent life-threatening withdrawal seizures.