NR546 Final Exam Study Guide For Nursing
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1. What is the monoamine hypothesis of depression?: It theorizes that depression is caused
by a deficiency in monoamine neurotransmission, while mania is due to an excess.
2. What is a key prescribing consideration for antidepressants in bipolar disor-
der?: Antidepressants should not be given as monotherapy; they must be combined with a mood stabilizer to avoid
inducing mania.
3. What should be monitored when prescribing SNRIs to breastfeeding pa-
tients?: Infant irritability.
4. What factors should be considered when prescribing antidepressants?: Client
preference, prior treatment response, anticipated adverse ettects, comorbidities, half-life, interactions, and cost.
5. What should be done if the initial antidepressant does not work?: First, increase
the dose; if that fails, switch to a ditterent drug in the same class, then try a drug in a ditterent class, and possibly add
a second medication.
6. What is the recommended dose adjustment for older patients taking citalo-
pram and escitalopram?: They should receive half the usual dose.
7. Which SSRI has the least CYP interactions?: Escitalopram (Lexapro).
8. Which SSRI is considered good for forgetful patients?: Fluoxetine, due to its 2-3 day
half-life.
9. What is the longest-acting antidepressant?: Fluoxetine, with a half-life of 1-2 weeks.
10. What is discontinuation syndrome and which medication is more likely to
cause it?: Discontinuation syndrome occurs when stopping an antidepressant, and paroxetine is more likely to
cause it.
11. Which antidepressant is safe during nursing and pregnancy?: Sertraline.
12. What is serotonin syndrome?: A condition that occurs when two serotonergic drugs are used togeth-
er, leading to symptoms such as mental status changes, autonomic instability, neuromuscular symptoms, seizures, and
gastrointestinal symptoms.
13. What is the treatment for serotonin syndrome?: Stop the medication, provide supportive
care, and use benzodiazepines.
14. What is the black box warning for MAOIs?: They carry a warning for suicidal ideation in
children, adolescents, and young adults.
1/
10
, 15. What is the half-life of MAOIs?: 2-4 hours.
16. What is the black box warning for SSRIs?: They carry a warning for suicidal tendencies.
2/
10
Verified A+
1. What is the monoamine hypothesis of depression?: It theorizes that depression is caused
by a deficiency in monoamine neurotransmission, while mania is due to an excess.
2. What is a key prescribing consideration for antidepressants in bipolar disor-
der?: Antidepressants should not be given as monotherapy; they must be combined with a mood stabilizer to avoid
inducing mania.
3. What should be monitored when prescribing SNRIs to breastfeeding pa-
tients?: Infant irritability.
4. What factors should be considered when prescribing antidepressants?: Client
preference, prior treatment response, anticipated adverse ettects, comorbidities, half-life, interactions, and cost.
5. What should be done if the initial antidepressant does not work?: First, increase
the dose; if that fails, switch to a ditterent drug in the same class, then try a drug in a ditterent class, and possibly add
a second medication.
6. What is the recommended dose adjustment for older patients taking citalo-
pram and escitalopram?: They should receive half the usual dose.
7. Which SSRI has the least CYP interactions?: Escitalopram (Lexapro).
8. Which SSRI is considered good for forgetful patients?: Fluoxetine, due to its 2-3 day
half-life.
9. What is the longest-acting antidepressant?: Fluoxetine, with a half-life of 1-2 weeks.
10. What is discontinuation syndrome and which medication is more likely to
cause it?: Discontinuation syndrome occurs when stopping an antidepressant, and paroxetine is more likely to
cause it.
11. Which antidepressant is safe during nursing and pregnancy?: Sertraline.
12. What is serotonin syndrome?: A condition that occurs when two serotonergic drugs are used togeth-
er, leading to symptoms such as mental status changes, autonomic instability, neuromuscular symptoms, seizures, and
gastrointestinal symptoms.
13. What is the treatment for serotonin syndrome?: Stop the medication, provide supportive
care, and use benzodiazepines.
14. What is the black box warning for MAOIs?: They carry a warning for suicidal ideation in
children, adolescents, and young adults.
1/
10
, 15. What is the half-life of MAOIs?: 2-4 hours.
16. What is the black box warning for SSRIs?: They carry a warning for suicidal tendencies.
2/
10
