NURS 752
Psychopharmacology
COMPLETED EXAM
2024
, 1. Question What are the main classes of antidepressants and how do they
work? Provide an example of a drug for each class.
- Answer The main classes of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs),
tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and
atypical antidepressants. They work by increasing the availability of
neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain,
which are involved in mood regulation. Examples of drugs for each class are
fluoxetine (SSRI), venlafaxine (SNRI), amitriptyline (TCA), phenelzine
(MAOI), and bupropion (atypical).
2. Question What are the common side effects and contraindications of
antipsychotics? How can nurses monitor and manage these effects?
- Answer The common side effects of antipsychotics are extrapyramidal
symptoms (EPS), such as dystonia, akathisia, parkinsonism, and tardive
dyskinesia; metabolic syndrome, such as weight gain, diabetes, and
dyslipidemia; sedation, orthostatic hypotension, anticholinergic effects, such as
dry mouth, constipation, and urinary retention; and neuroleptic malignant
syndrome (NMS), a rare but life-threatening condition characterized by fever,
muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic instability. Antipsychotics
are contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity, severe cardiovascular
disease, blood dyscrasias, liver impairment, or narrow-angle glaucoma. Nurses
can monitor and manage these effects by assessing the patient's vital signs,
blood glucose, lipid profile, liver function tests, complete blood count, and
mental status; educating the patient about the signs and symptoms of EPS and
NMS and the importance of
medication adherence; providing supportive measures such as hydration, cooling,
and antipyretics for NMS; administering anticholinergic agents or
benzodiazepines for EPS; and encouraging the patient to adopt a healthy lifestyle
such as diet, exercise, and smoking cessation.
Psychopharmacology
COMPLETED EXAM
2024
, 1. Question What are the main classes of antidepressants and how do they
work? Provide an example of a drug for each class.
- Answer The main classes of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs),
tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and
atypical antidepressants. They work by increasing the availability of
neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain,
which are involved in mood regulation. Examples of drugs for each class are
fluoxetine (SSRI), venlafaxine (SNRI), amitriptyline (TCA), phenelzine
(MAOI), and bupropion (atypical).
2. Question What are the common side effects and contraindications of
antipsychotics? How can nurses monitor and manage these effects?
- Answer The common side effects of antipsychotics are extrapyramidal
symptoms (EPS), such as dystonia, akathisia, parkinsonism, and tardive
dyskinesia; metabolic syndrome, such as weight gain, diabetes, and
dyslipidemia; sedation, orthostatic hypotension, anticholinergic effects, such as
dry mouth, constipation, and urinary retention; and neuroleptic malignant
syndrome (NMS), a rare but life-threatening condition characterized by fever,
muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic instability. Antipsychotics
are contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity, severe cardiovascular
disease, blood dyscrasias, liver impairment, or narrow-angle glaucoma. Nurses
can monitor and manage these effects by assessing the patient's vital signs,
blood glucose, lipid profile, liver function tests, complete blood count, and
mental status; educating the patient about the signs and symptoms of EPS and
NMS and the importance of
medication adherence; providing supportive measures such as hydration, cooling,
and antipyretics for NMS; administering anticholinergic agents or
benzodiazepines for EPS; and encouraging the patient to adopt a healthy lifestyle
such as diet, exercise, and smoking cessation.
