NR 547 FINAL EXAM | NR 547
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS IN PSYCHIATRIC-
MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
PRACTICUM / 260+ ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (A+ GUIDE SOLUTION) –
CHAMBERLAIN / 2025-2026
Terms in this set (265)
Medications for SSRIs
depression SNRIs
SDRIs
TCAs
MAOIs
-Action: inhibit 5-HT reuptake
-Examples: citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine,
sertraline -Adverse effects:
•nausea
SSRIs •agitation
•diarrhea
•headache
•weight gain
•sexual side effects
,SNRIs -inhibit 5-HT reuptake
-inhibit NE reuptake (↑ energy, focus)
-increase DA in prefrontal cortex (↑ cognition) -Examples:
desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, levomilnacipran, venlafaxine -
Adverse effects:
•elevated blood pressure
•nausea
•sweating
•tremors
•anxiety
•insomnia
•constipation
•anorexia
•sexual dysfunction
-inhibit DA reuptake (↑alertness, motivation)
-inhibit NE reuptake (↑energy) -Adverse effects:
•agitation
SDRIs •headache
•dry mouth
•constipation
•weight loss
,TCAs -Action: inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and
norepinephrine; blocks norepinephrine, histamine, and
acetylcholine receptors
-Examples: amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin
-Common Side Effects:
•dry mouth
•constipation
•blurred vision
•urinary retention
•sedation
•weight gain
•hypotension
•tachycardia
•sexual dysfunction
MAOIs -Action: increases norepinephrine and serotonin by
inhibiting the enzyme that inactivates it -Examples:
isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine -Common
Side Effects:
•sedation
•dizziness
•sexual dysfunction
•hypertensive crisis
Prescribing pearls: citalopram mild antihistamine effects
(Celexa)
Prescribing pearls: no known drug interactions
escitalopram (Lexapro)
Prescribing pearls: fluoxetine longest half-life
(Prozac)
Prescribing pearls: paroxetine also treats social anxiety and insomnia
(Paxil)
Prescribing pearls: fluvoxamine
treats anxious depression smokers require increased dose
(Luvox)
, Prescribing pearls: also treats social anxiety and hypersomnolence
sertraline (Zoloft)
Prescribing pearls: NDRI may improve energy, alertness, and motivation; not
bupropion (Wellbutrin) first line treatment for anxiety; contraindicated in clients
with a history of seizures
Prescribing pearls: effective for atypical pain at higher doses; appropriate for
duloxetine (Cymbalta) clients who present with somatic symptoms of depression;
effective for atypical pain, such as fibromyalgia and diabetic
neuropathy
Prescribing pearls: treats both depression and anxiety disorders, ensure trial of
venlafaxine (Effexor) higher dose before switching to a different medication
Prescribing pearls: effective for perimenopausal vasomotor symptoms
desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
considered when -Client preference
selecting a medication: -Prior treatment response
-Anticipated adverse effects
-Comorbidities
-Half-life and interactions
-Cost
if a medication is not -Increase dose gradually
achieving efficacy: -Switch to a different drug within the same class
-Switch to drug in a different class
-Add a second medication
Use to protect against lithium
suicide
genetic factors contribute 31-42% of the disease risk in
MDD and BPD genetics
MDD and 59-85% in BPD
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS IN PSYCHIATRIC-
MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
PRACTICUM / 260+ ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (A+ GUIDE SOLUTION) –
CHAMBERLAIN / 2025-2026
Terms in this set (265)
Medications for SSRIs
depression SNRIs
SDRIs
TCAs
MAOIs
-Action: inhibit 5-HT reuptake
-Examples: citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine,
sertraline -Adverse effects:
•nausea
SSRIs •agitation
•diarrhea
•headache
•weight gain
•sexual side effects
,SNRIs -inhibit 5-HT reuptake
-inhibit NE reuptake (↑ energy, focus)
-increase DA in prefrontal cortex (↑ cognition) -Examples:
desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, levomilnacipran, venlafaxine -
Adverse effects:
•elevated blood pressure
•nausea
•sweating
•tremors
•anxiety
•insomnia
•constipation
•anorexia
•sexual dysfunction
-inhibit DA reuptake (↑alertness, motivation)
-inhibit NE reuptake (↑energy) -Adverse effects:
•agitation
SDRIs •headache
•dry mouth
•constipation
•weight loss
,TCAs -Action: inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and
norepinephrine; blocks norepinephrine, histamine, and
acetylcholine receptors
-Examples: amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin
-Common Side Effects:
•dry mouth
•constipation
•blurred vision
•urinary retention
•sedation
•weight gain
•hypotension
•tachycardia
•sexual dysfunction
MAOIs -Action: increases norepinephrine and serotonin by
inhibiting the enzyme that inactivates it -Examples:
isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine -Common
Side Effects:
•sedation
•dizziness
•sexual dysfunction
•hypertensive crisis
Prescribing pearls: citalopram mild antihistamine effects
(Celexa)
Prescribing pearls: no known drug interactions
escitalopram (Lexapro)
Prescribing pearls: fluoxetine longest half-life
(Prozac)
Prescribing pearls: paroxetine also treats social anxiety and insomnia
(Paxil)
Prescribing pearls: fluvoxamine
treats anxious depression smokers require increased dose
(Luvox)
, Prescribing pearls: also treats social anxiety and hypersomnolence
sertraline (Zoloft)
Prescribing pearls: NDRI may improve energy, alertness, and motivation; not
bupropion (Wellbutrin) first line treatment for anxiety; contraindicated in clients
with a history of seizures
Prescribing pearls: effective for atypical pain at higher doses; appropriate for
duloxetine (Cymbalta) clients who present with somatic symptoms of depression;
effective for atypical pain, such as fibromyalgia and diabetic
neuropathy
Prescribing pearls: treats both depression and anxiety disorders, ensure trial of
venlafaxine (Effexor) higher dose before switching to a different medication
Prescribing pearls: effective for perimenopausal vasomotor symptoms
desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
considered when -Client preference
selecting a medication: -Prior treatment response
-Anticipated adverse effects
-Comorbidities
-Half-life and interactions
-Cost
if a medication is not -Increase dose gradually
achieving efficacy: -Switch to a different drug within the same class
-Switch to drug in a different class
-Add a second medication
Use to protect against lithium
suicide
genetic factors contribute 31-42% of the disease risk in
MDD and BPD genetics
MDD and 59-85% in BPD
