NR546 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY:
WEEK 1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the global burden of disease of mental health, neurological, and substance use
disorders? - ANSWER-30%
How many children and adolescents are impacted by mental health disorders
worldwide? - ANSWER-20%
How much does lost productivity related to anxiety and depression cost the global
economy each year? - ANSWER-$1 trillion USD
When prescribing medications, the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
(PMHNP) must consider each client's unique circumstances including but not limited to-
- ANSWER-- symptoms
- age
- physical health
- previous response to treatment
- lifestyle
The development of mental health conditions is linked to causes such as- - ANSWER--
genetics
- biochemical processes
- environment
- lifestyle
Which is the priority data used to determine a treatment plan for mental health
disorders?
a. drug adverse effects
b. patient lifestyle
c. patient symptoms
d. treatment history - ANSWER-c. patient symptoms
Psychoactive Medications (image) - ANSWER-
Psychoactive & Psychotropic Medications - ANSWER-According to the World Health
Organization (WHO, 2020), the terms "psychoactive" and "psychotropic" may be used
interchangeably and are the most neutral and descriptive terms for medications that
affect mental processes.
, Symptom-Based Treatment - ANSWER-- A diagnosis is determined based on the
presenting symptoms and by utilizing well-developed interview techniques and
assessment skills.
- The PMHNP must recognize that presenting symptoms may represent what is
happening within the client's brain. For example, changes or losses in grey matter are
associated with numerous psychiatric diagnoses, including Alzheimer's disease,
schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder
Challenges of Psychiatric Prescribing - ANSWER-- Several factors hinder the
effectiveness of psychiatric drugs making a one-size-fits-all treatment plan impossible
and even harmful. It is important to thoroughly understand the full scope of a client's
presenting symptoms.
- For example, a client who presents with depressive symptoms such as a lack of
energy, somnolence, weight loss, and suicidal thinking may warrant treatment with a
more stimulating antidepressant. On the contrary, a client who presents with both
depressive and anxiety symptoms together may require a different medication that will
not aggravate their anxiety. Even though each of these clients may indeed be clinically
depressed, it is imperative to evaluate their specific presenting symptoms to guide
medication selection.
Is it common for patients with psychiatric disorders to need more than one medication to
treat their symptoms? - ANSWER-Yes, polypharmacy is common in treating psychiatric
disorders, so a client may need more than one psychotropic medication to treat their
symptoms.
Lifestyle Factors - ANSWER-- client's smoking status
- diet
- exercise
- history of medication adherence
- history of addiction
Lifestyle factors should be considered when prescribing psychotropic medications.
Lifespan Considerations - ANSWER-- The PMHNP must consider the lifespan
continuum to ensure safe and effective medication management.
- Careful consideration must be given to the client's age, developmental level, emotional
status, health status, and ability to participate in the medication administration process.
- Attention must also be given to the treatment needs of special populations.
Non-Adherence - ANSWER-- Client Factors: misunderstanding of expected outcomes,
concern about side effects, fear of addiction to medications.
- Clinician Factors: providing inadequate education about medications, lack of follow up,
lack of shared decision-making.
- Structural Factors: medication cost, stigma associated with mental illness, medication
access.
WEEK 1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the global burden of disease of mental health, neurological, and substance use
disorders? - ANSWER-30%
How many children and adolescents are impacted by mental health disorders
worldwide? - ANSWER-20%
How much does lost productivity related to anxiety and depression cost the global
economy each year? - ANSWER-$1 trillion USD
When prescribing medications, the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
(PMHNP) must consider each client's unique circumstances including but not limited to-
- ANSWER-- symptoms
- age
- physical health
- previous response to treatment
- lifestyle
The development of mental health conditions is linked to causes such as- - ANSWER--
genetics
- biochemical processes
- environment
- lifestyle
Which is the priority data used to determine a treatment plan for mental health
disorders?
a. drug adverse effects
b. patient lifestyle
c. patient symptoms
d. treatment history - ANSWER-c. patient symptoms
Psychoactive Medications (image) - ANSWER-
Psychoactive & Psychotropic Medications - ANSWER-According to the World Health
Organization (WHO, 2020), the terms "psychoactive" and "psychotropic" may be used
interchangeably and are the most neutral and descriptive terms for medications that
affect mental processes.
, Symptom-Based Treatment - ANSWER-- A diagnosis is determined based on the
presenting symptoms and by utilizing well-developed interview techniques and
assessment skills.
- The PMHNP must recognize that presenting symptoms may represent what is
happening within the client's brain. For example, changes or losses in grey matter are
associated with numerous psychiatric diagnoses, including Alzheimer's disease,
schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder
Challenges of Psychiatric Prescribing - ANSWER-- Several factors hinder the
effectiveness of psychiatric drugs making a one-size-fits-all treatment plan impossible
and even harmful. It is important to thoroughly understand the full scope of a client's
presenting symptoms.
- For example, a client who presents with depressive symptoms such as a lack of
energy, somnolence, weight loss, and suicidal thinking may warrant treatment with a
more stimulating antidepressant. On the contrary, a client who presents with both
depressive and anxiety symptoms together may require a different medication that will
not aggravate their anxiety. Even though each of these clients may indeed be clinically
depressed, it is imperative to evaluate their specific presenting symptoms to guide
medication selection.
Is it common for patients with psychiatric disorders to need more than one medication to
treat their symptoms? - ANSWER-Yes, polypharmacy is common in treating psychiatric
disorders, so a client may need more than one psychotropic medication to treat their
symptoms.
Lifestyle Factors - ANSWER-- client's smoking status
- diet
- exercise
- history of medication adherence
- history of addiction
Lifestyle factors should be considered when prescribing psychotropic medications.
Lifespan Considerations - ANSWER-- The PMHNP must consider the lifespan
continuum to ensure safe and effective medication management.
- Careful consideration must be given to the client's age, developmental level, emotional
status, health status, and ability to participate in the medication administration process.
- Attention must also be given to the treatment needs of special populations.
Non-Adherence - ANSWER-- Client Factors: misunderstanding of expected outcomes,
concern about side effects, fear of addiction to medications.
- Clinician Factors: providing inadequate education about medications, lack of follow up,
lack of shared decision-making.
- Structural Factors: medication cost, stigma associated with mental illness, medication
access.
