Understanding Pharmacokinetics in Psychiatry
1. The PMHNP knows that the study of how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes,
and excretes a medication is known as:
A. Breakdown
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Pharmacodynamics
D. First-pass effect
2. After a drug is absorbed the substrate binds to protein for transport. Which portion of
the drug is available for therapeutic effects?
A. Bound
B. Unbound
C. Metabolized
D. Excreted
89
Understanding Pharmacokinetics in Psychiatry
3. A 19-year-old male is referred to the PMHNP by the student health office for alcohol
use disorder. The patient states that on one occasion he passed out much sooner
than he usually would with far less than he would usually drink. Upon further
interview, the patient reveals the time he passed out was during a fraternity hazing
in which he was butt-chugging (receiving a beer and vodka enema). What
pharmacokinetic process was bypassed by this rectal administration route?
A. Excretion
B. Absorption
C. Distribution
D. First-pass effect
4. The PMHNP is monitoring a serum drug level for a medication with a 24-hour
half-life. How many hours will it take to reach steady state?
A. 48 hours
B. 72 hours
C. 96 hours
D. 120 hours
5. A patient with schizophrenia was discharged from the hospital on olanzapine 5 mg
twice a day. He immediately resumed smoking cigarettes and escalated to one pack
per day. Upon presenting for his 1-week follow-up appointment, the patient reports
he is having trouble sleeping and the voices have started to return. Which of the
following actions should the PMHNP take?
A. Send the patient to the ED for stabilization
B. Change to another antipsychotic medication, and refer to a psychiatrist
C. Increase his olanzapine, and schedule a follow-up visit in 2 days
D. Tell him to stop smoking and give him a nicotine patch
6. A patient who has been stable on quetiapine (Seroquel XR) for 3 months has decided
to start to drink grapefruit juice twice daily because she has heard it helps with
weight loss. She calls to report that since her new diet she has been feeling fatigue
and difficulty waking up in the morning. What is the best response by the
PMHNP? APA
