RPNCE - Registered Psychiatric Nurse of Canada Examination Psychopharmacological Interventions Questions and Answers

Question 1

A client who has been taking phenelzine, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), for depression attends a unit picnic.
The psychiatric nurse should intervene if the client chooses which of the following food items?

Accepted Answer

Aged cheddar cheese with crackers and salami

Answer

Grilled chicken sandwich on whole wheat bread

Answer

A green salad with fresh vegetables and vinaigrette dressing

Answer

A fresh fruit salad containing apples, bananas, and grapes

Question 2

A psychiatric nurse is providing education to a client who will be starting treatment with a long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic. Which statement by the nurse is most accurate regarding this mode of administration?

Accepted Answer

"This helps maintain a steady level of medication in your body, which can help prevent relapse."

Answer

"You will need to come to the clinic for an injection every day instead of taking pills."

Answer

"This method is only used for emergencies and will be discontinued after the crisis resolves."

Answer

"The main benefit of this injection is that it has no side effects compared to oral tablets."

Question 3

A client is brought to the emergency department with a rapid onset of confusion, agitation, hyperreflexia, muscle clonus, and diaphoresis. Their medication list includes an SSRI and a cough suppressant started yesterday. The nurse suspects Serotonin Syndrome. Which of the following features helps differentiate Serotonin Syndrome from Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)?

Accepted Answer

Hyperreflexia and myoclonus

Answer

High fever and severe 'lead-pipe' muscle rigidity

Answer

A gradual onset of symptoms over several days

Answer

Sluggish neuromuscular response (bradyreflexia)

Question 4

A psychiatric nurse is caring for a client prescribed clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Which of the following is the most critical nursing intervention related to this medication?

Accepted Answer

Strict monitoring of the client's absolute neutrophil count (ANC)

Answer

Monitoring for weight gain and metabolic changes

Answer

Administering a PRN benztropine for extrapyramidal symptoms

Answer

Educating the client on the importance of a low-tyramine diet

Question 5

A client with bipolar disorder who has been stable on lithium for several years presents with coarse hand tremors, confusion, ataxia, and severe diarrhea. The psychiatric nurse recognizes these as symptoms of:

Accepted Answer

Lithium toxicity

Answer

A typical manic episode

Answer

An allergic reaction to the medication

Answer

Serotonin Syndrome

Question 6

Which of the following interventions is a priority for a psychiatric nurse managing a client experiencing benzodiazepine withdrawal?

Accepted Answer

Implementing seizure precautions and monitoring vital signs

Answer

Administering an antipsychotic to manage agitation

Answer

Providing education on a low-carbohydrate diet

Answer

Encouraging vigorous physical exercise to reduce anxiety