Nursing (RN) Exam Questions With
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Pharmacodyamics of Psychotropic Drugs: - CORRECT ANSWER-Most psychotropic
drugs act be either increasing or decreasing the activity of certain neurotransmitter-
receptor systems.
What neurotransmitters are most consistently linked to mental activity? - CORRECT
ANSWER---Norepinephrine +mania -depression
--Serotonin (mood) +anxiety -depression
--Dopamine + schizophrenia - leads to parkinsons
--Acetylcholine +depression
--Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH)
--Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) - leads to anxiety
What are the therapeutic indications for antipsychotics? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Psychotic symptoms
Prevention of recurrence of psychotic symptoms
Reduction of aggressive/assaultive behaviors
What antipsychotics are known as typical (conventional/first generation) and the 2nd
choice in treatment? - CORRECT ANSWER-Haldol (halperidol)
Mellaril (thoridazine)
Thorazine (chlorpromazine)
, Prolixin (fluphenazine)
Stelazine (trifluoperazine)
What are typical antipsychotics effective at doing? - CORRECT ANSWER---They are
most effective in alleviating positive signs of schizophrenia. Minimally effective in
alleviating negative signs.
How do positive signs and negative signs differ? - CORRECT ANSWER-Positive signs
add a feature such as: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech/loose
associations, disorganized thoughts/catatonia,
Negative signs take away, such as: withdrawal from society, flat affect, lack of
motivation, lack of speech/thought
What is important to know about phenothiazines? - CORRECT ANSWER-The majority
of typical antipsychotics belong to this class. They must be used cautiously or avoided
in persons with seizure disorders; also caution with cardiac disorders.
What are the common side effects of typical antipsychotics? - CORRECT ANSWER-#1
weight gain
#2 sedation
orthostatic hypotension
sexual dysfunction
photosensitivity
extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
Anticholinergic effects
Galactorrhea and gynecomastia are less common
What are Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS)? - CORRECT ANSWER-Extrapyramidal
symptoms (EPS) are various movement disorders such as acute dystonic reactions,