Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Which long-acting antipsychotic medication is newly available for treatment?

1. Clozapine

2. Risperidone (Consta)

3. Olanzapine

4. Haloperidol

The correct answer is: Risperidone (Consta)

Risperidone (Consta) is the correct choice as it is a long-acting antipsychotic medication that has been developed to provide a sustained therapeutic effect for patients with schizophrenia and other mental health disorders. This injectable formulation allows for less frequent dosing, typically every two weeks, which can enhance adherence to treatment compared to daily oral medications. This is particularly beneficial in managing chronic psychotic conditions, helping to stabilize the patient's condition while reducing the burden of daily medication management. The other medications mentioned, while they are also antipsychotics, may not represent new long-acting options. Clozapine is primarily used for treatment-resistant schizophrenia and requires regular monitoring due to potential side effects. Olanzapine is available in a long-acting injectable form as well, but it was not introduced as a new option recently. Haloperidol is one of the older antipsychotic agents and lacks the modern formulation or recent developments associated with long-acting preparations. Thus, Risperidone (Consta) stands out as a newer and effective choice in the landscape of long-acting antipsychotics.