Psychiatric Technician Practice Exam

Long-term use of which medication is likely to require monitoring for vitamin deficiencies?

1. Alprazolam

2. Fluoxetine

3. Phenobarbital

4. Lithium

The correct answer is: Phenobarbital

The choice of Phenobarbital as the medication likely to require monitoring for vitamin deficiencies is accurate due to its status as a barbiturate used primarily for seizure control. Long-term use of Phenobarbital can lead to the induction of liver enzymes, which in turn can affect the metabolism of various vitamins and minerals. Specifically, it has been noted to impact the absorption and utilization of vitamin D, folk acid, and certain B vitamins due to its influence on hepatic enzymes that modify how substances are metabolized in the body. This necessitates regular monitoring to prevent potential deficiencies and associated health problems. In contrast, while other medications listed may have their own side effects and considerations, they are not typically associated with the same level of concern regarding vitamin deficiencies as Phenobarbital. For instance, Alprazolam and Fluoxetine do not have a significant impact on vitamin metabolism, whereas Lithium requires monitoring for other potential side effects like renal function and thyroid levels rather than vitamin status.