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NCLEX Psychiatric Medications Exam Practice Questions and Answers

150 Questions and Answers

$5.99

A solid grasp of psychiatric medications is crucial for ensuring safe, effective mental health care—and it’s a key focus on the NCLEX-RN exam. This NCLEX Psychiatric Medications Exam Practice Questions and Answers resource is designed to help nursing students and professionals build strong pharmacological knowledge in the field of psychiatric and mental health nursing.

This practice exam offers comprehensive coverage of commonly prescribed psychotropic medications, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, and stimulants. It explores the mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, side effects, toxicity signs, and nursing interventions required when managing patients on these drugs.

The questions are scenario-based and aligned with real clinical settings, helping you practice how to assess psychiatric symptoms, monitor medication effectiveness, and educate patients about their treatment plans. Topics include managing side effects like extrapyramidal symptoms, serotonin syndrome, lithium toxicity, and benzodiazepine dependence—areas commonly tested on the NCLEX.

You’ll also strengthen your understanding of medication adherence, ethical considerations, polypharmacy in mental health, and the importance of therapeutic communication. Each question is crafted to reinforce critical thinking and prioritization in situations where patient safety, judgment, and advocacy are essential.

This resource is especially useful in preparing for mental health rotations or nursing roles in psychiatric facilities, outpatient clinics, and community settings. It builds confidence in administering medications, evaluating patient responses, and collaborating with interdisciplinary mental health teams.

Whether you’re reviewing for licensure, preparing for a clinical assessment, or refreshing your psychiatric pharmacology knowledge, this tool provides focused, exam-style content to support your success.

By using this targeted preparation, you’ll be equipped not only to answer NCLEX questions with confidence but also to deliver safe, informed, and compassionate care to individuals managing mental health conditions.

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Sample Questions and Answers

  • Which neurotransmitter is most targeted by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
    A. Dopamine
    B. Serotonin
    C. Norepinephrine
    D. GABA
    Answer: B. Serotonin
  • What is the primary therapeutic effect of benzodiazepines?
    A. Antidepressant
    B. Antipsychotic
    C. Sedative-hypnotic
    D. Mood stabilization
    Answer: C. Sedative-hypnotic
  • A patient taking lithium should be monitored for:
    A. Hypertension
    B. Hypoglycemia
    C. Thyroid dysfunction
    D. Hepatotoxicity
    Answer: C. Thyroid dysfunction
  • Which psychiatric medication requires weekly WBC monitoring due to the risk of agranulocytosis?
    A. Haloperidol
    B. Clozapine
    C. Risperidone
    D. Olanzapine
    Answer: B. Clozapine
  • What is the primary mechanism of action of MAO inhibitors?
    A. Blocking serotonin receptors
    B. Inhibiting monoamine oxidase enzyme
    C. Blocking dopamine reuptake
    D. Enhancing GABA activity
    Answer: B. Inhibiting monoamine oxidase enzyme
  • Which medication is commonly used for acute manic episodes in bipolar disorder?
    A. Valproic acid
    B. Sertraline
    C. Buspirone
    D. Fluphenazine
    Answer: A. Valproic acid
  • What is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?
    A. Weight loss
    B. Orthostatic hypotension
    C. Insomnia
    D. Bradycardia
    Answer: B. Orthostatic hypotension
  • Which of the following is an atypical antipsychotic?
    A. Haloperidol
    B. Chlorpromazine
    C. Risperidone
    D. Phenelzine
    Answer: C. Risperidone
  • What dietary restriction is essential for patients taking MAO inhibitors?
    A. Avoid high protein foods
    B. Avoid foods high in tyramine
    C. Avoid high-fat foods
    D. Avoid foods high in potassium
    Answer: B. Avoid foods high in tyramine
  • What is a key symptom of serotonin syndrome?
    A. Bradycardia
    B. Hyperreflexia
    C. Hypotension
    D. Sweating
    Answer: B. Hyperreflexia

 

  • Which medication is commonly used as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder?
    A. Fluoxetine
    B. Lithium
    C. Clozapine
    D. Alprazolam
    Answer: B. Lithium
  • Which medication is a first-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
    A. Buspirone
    B. Haloperidol
    C. Clozapine
    D. Zolpidem
    Answer: A. Buspirone
  • A patient on haloperidol develops muscle rigidity, high fever, and confusion. What is the likely diagnosis?
    A. Serotonin syndrome
    B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
    C. Tardive dyskinesia
    D. Extrapyramidal symptoms
    Answer: B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
  • What is the most common side effect of SSRIs?
    A. Weight gain
    B. Sexual dysfunction
    C. Hypertension
    D. Dry mouth
    Answer: B. Sexual dysfunction
  • Which class of medications is most effective in treating positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
    A. SSRIs
    B. Atypical antipsychotics
    C. Typical antipsychotics
    D. Benzodiazepines
    Answer: C. Typical antipsychotics
  • Which of the following symptoms is associated with tardive dyskinesia?
    A. Akathisia
    B. Muscle rigidity
    C. Involuntary facial movements
    D. Tremors
    Answer: C. Involuntary facial movements
  • Which antidepressant is contraindicated in patients with a history of seizures?
    A. Sertraline
    B. Fluoxetine
    C. Bupropion
    D. Escitalopram
    Answer: C. Bupropion
  • What is a key nursing intervention for patients taking benzodiazepines?
    A. Monitor for suicidal ideation
    B. Advise against taking the medication with food
    C. Encourage increased fluid intake
    D. Monitor for signs of addiction and dependence
    Answer: D. Monitor for signs of addiction and dependence
  • Which medication is often prescribed for insomnia but has minimal risk for dependence?
    A. Zolpidem
    B. Lorazepam
    C. Buspirone
    D. Eszopiclone
    Answer: C. Buspirone
  • What is the primary concern when a patient starts an MAO inhibitor?
    A. Hypoglycemia
    B. Hypertensive crisis
    C. Renal failure
    D. Bradycardia
    Answer: B. Hypertensive crisis
  • Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of lithium toxicity?
    A. Hyperactivity
    B. Coarse tremors
    C. Hypertension
    D. Decreased thirst
    Answer: B. Coarse tremors
  • Which medication is commonly used as a first-line treatment for ADHD?
    A. Risperidone
    B. Methylphenidate
    C. Sertraline
    D. Lithium
    Answer: B. Methylphenidate
  • Which antipsychotic is considered the least sedating?
    A. Quetiapine
    B. Risperidone
    C. Olanzapine
    D. Aripiprazole
    Answer: D. Aripiprazole
  • What should a patient avoid when taking benzodiazepines?
    A. High-fiber foods
    B. Alcohol
    C. Dairy products
    D. Caffeine
    Answer: B. Alcohol
  • What is the therapeutic blood level range for lithium?
    A. 0.1–0.5 mEq/L
    B. 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
    C. 1.5–2.0 mEq/L
    D. 2.5–3.0 mEq/L
    Answer: B. 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
  • Which of the following is an early sign of serotonin syndrome?
    A. Respiratory depression
    B. Confusion and agitation
    C. Bradycardia
    D. Constipation
    Answer: B. Confusion and agitation
  • What class of medications is commonly used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
    A. SSRIs
    B. MAO inhibitors
    C. Benzodiazepines
    D. Typical antipsychotics
    Answer: A. SSRIs
  • Which antipsychotic medication is most likely to cause weight gain?
    A. Aripiprazole
    B. Olanzapine
    C. Haloperidol
    D. Ziprasidone
    Answer: B. Olanzapine
  • What symptom is a priority to monitor for in a patient starting on clozapine?
    A. Weight gain
    B. Orthostatic hypotension
    C. Fever and sore throat
    D. Insomnia
    Answer: C. Fever and sore throat
  • Which medication is most appropriate for treating panic disorder?
    A. Alprazolam
    B. Lithium
    C. Clozapine
    D. Buspirone
    Answer: A. Alprazolam

 

  • Which medication is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) commonly used for major depressive disorder (MDD)?
    A. Fluoxetine
    B. Venlafaxine
    C. Lorazepam
    D. Risperidone
    Answer: B. Venlafaxine
  • Which antipsychotic medication has the highest risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)?
    A. Haloperidol
    B. Quetiapine
    C. Aripiprazole
    D. Clozapine
    Answer: A. Haloperidol
  • What is the black box warning for antidepressants in children and adolescents?
    A. Risk of addiction
    B. Risk of suicidal ideation
    C. Risk of hypertensive crisis
    D. Risk of liver toxicity
    Answer: B. Risk of suicidal ideation
  • Which medication is most effective for treating acute agitation in schizophrenia?
    A. Risperidone
    B. Haloperidol
    C. Buspirone
    D. Fluoxetine
    Answer: B. Haloperidol
  • What is the primary action of atypical antipsychotics?
    A. Dopamine agonism
    B. Dopamine and serotonin receptor antagonism
    C. GABA enhancement
    D. Serotonin reuptake inhibition
    Answer: B. Dopamine and serotonin receptor antagonism
  • Which of the following medications is used to treat insomnia in patients with PTSD?
    A. Prazosin
    B. Trazodone
    C. Buspirone
    D. Risperidone
    Answer: B. Trazodone
  • Which drug class is associated with anticholinergic side effects, such as dry mouth and constipation?
    A. SSRIs
    B. Benzodiazepines
    C. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
    D. MAO inhibitors
    Answer: C. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

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