Psychotropic Medications
What class of drug is sertraline?
SSRI
What diagnosis involves cycles of mania and depression?
Answer: Bipolar disorder
What does “involuntary hold” mean?
(Answer: Holding a patient against their will for safety reasons)
Is “Everything will be okay” therapeutic or non-therapeutic?
(Answer: Non-therapeutic)
What is the first thing you assess when a patient appears agitated?
(Answer: Safety/risk to self or others)
Name one common side effect of lithium.
Answer: Tremor, nausea, polyuria,
What disorder includes hallucinations and delusions for over 6 months?
(Answer: Schizophrenia)
Who can break confidentiality if a patient is suicidal or homicidal?
(Answer: A healthcare provider)
What’s an example of using silence therapeutically?
(Answer: Pausing to allow the patient to speak more)
What’s the priority for a patient hearing voices telling them to harm themselves?
(Answer: Suicide risk assessment and safety plan)
What lab value should be monitored with lithium therapy?
Answer: Lithium level, kidney function, thyroid
PTSD is triggered by what kind of event?
(Answer: A traumatic or life-threatening event)
What law protects patient health information?
(Answer: HIPAA)
Name a non-verbal way to show you’re listening.
(Answer: Eye contact, nodding, open posture)
You see a patient pacing and mumbling. What should you do first?
(Answer: Approach calmly, assess agitation level)
Clozapine requires monitoring of what blood value?
Answer: White blood cell count/ANC
What’s the main difference between Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder?
(Answer: Schizoaffective also includes mood symptoms)
What must be obtained before giving medication?
(Answer: Informed consent)
What is reflecting in communication?
(Answer: Repeating the patient’s words back to them)
List 2 signs a patient may become violent.
(Answer: Pacing, clenched fists, loud voice, etc.)
True or False: Benzodiazepines are safe for long-term anxiety treatment.
Answer: False
Name 3 symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder.
(Answer: Depressed mood, anhedonia, fatigue, sleep issues, etc.)
What’s the nurse’s role if a patient refuses medication?
(Answer: Assess reasoning, document, notify provider, respect autonomy)
How would you respond to a patient who says “I don’t think life is worth living”?
(Answer: “Tell me more about how you’re feeling.”)
What is the least restrictive intervention for agitation?
(Answer: Verbal de-escalation)