NR 546 Comprehensive Exam Study Guide
Final Exam
Module 5: Treatment for Mood Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD):
Review the monoamine hypothesis and its implications for prescribing, focusing on how
this theory informs the selection of antidepressants based on neurotransmitter targets and
symptom profiles
SSRIs:
o Identify necessary screening prior to prescribing.
o Study age-related risks and which age group requires extra caution.
o Understand which SSRI has the least CYP interactions, best tolerance, and
longest half-life.
o Explore SSRIs associated with discontinuation syndrome, activation, or panic
exacerbation.
Lithium Interactions:
o Know substances and medications that can affect lithium levels (cause increase or
decrease in lithium level).
Serotonin Syndrome:
o Know symptoms and causes and what distinguishes serotonin syndrome from
other adverse effects.
Pharmacological Adjuncts:
o Review medications used alongside SSRIs.
Medication Comparisons:
o Differentiate between medications that exacerbate anxiety and those
pharmacologically similar to SSRIs and buspirone.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs):
Understand half-life, interactions, benefits, and adverse effects.
Bipolar Disorder:
Review the half-life, interactions, and adverse effects of mood stabilizers. Know how
half-life influences dosing frequency and patient adherence to treatment plans.
Explore side effects unique to this medication class and specific treatments for common
adverse reactions.
General Medication Knowledge:
What medication should be avoided in clients with an eating disorder? Why?
, Review the mechanism of action (MOA), adverse reactions, indications, starting doses,
and necessary lab tests.
Which medication has a risk priapism?
Understand neurotransmitter actions beyond 5HT (such as norepinephrine, dopamine and
GABA) and how these subtypes influence treatment outcomes in anxiety and depression.
Prepare to apply medication knowledge to clinical scenarios, such as treating eating
disorders or nicotine addiction.
Consider lifespan considerations:
o Identify medications safe for elderly patients and those to avoid.
o Understand QTc prolongation risks and management.
L-Methylfolate in Depression:
What is L-Methylfolate?
Review its MOA and role as an adjunct treatment.
Module 6: Treatments for Substance Use Disorders
Reward Circuits and Neurotransmitters:
Study neural circuits and neurotransmitters involved in addiction as outlined in Stahl
Focus on brain regions and their role in natural and substance-induced highs
Addiction Medications:
Review FDA-approved indications for addiction-related treatments (e.g., alcohol use
disorder, opioid dependence, nicotine cessation)
Identify medications that may precipitate withdrawal and their specific initiation
protocols.
Understand client education topics for addiction medications.
Understand the initiation time frames for medications and their implications for clinical
practice.
Know the client educate about the medications, including their indications, mechanisms
of action, adverse effects, and starting doses.
Substances of Abuse:
Study mechanisms of action and physical exam findings associated with commonly
abused substances such as opioids, nicotine, cannabis, and stimulants.
Learn to identify substances based on symptoms, including pupil responses to illegal
substances. If given a clinical scenario, could you identify which substance was taken
based on the client’s symptoms?
Review when medications can be initiated based on withdrawal severity.
Final Exam
Module 5: Treatment for Mood Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD):
Review the monoamine hypothesis and its implications for prescribing, focusing on how
this theory informs the selection of antidepressants based on neurotransmitter targets and
symptom profiles
SSRIs:
o Identify necessary screening prior to prescribing.
o Study age-related risks and which age group requires extra caution.
o Understand which SSRI has the least CYP interactions, best tolerance, and
longest half-life.
o Explore SSRIs associated with discontinuation syndrome, activation, or panic
exacerbation.
Lithium Interactions:
o Know substances and medications that can affect lithium levels (cause increase or
decrease in lithium level).
Serotonin Syndrome:
o Know symptoms and causes and what distinguishes serotonin syndrome from
other adverse effects.
Pharmacological Adjuncts:
o Review medications used alongside SSRIs.
Medication Comparisons:
o Differentiate between medications that exacerbate anxiety and those
pharmacologically similar to SSRIs and buspirone.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs):
Understand half-life, interactions, benefits, and adverse effects.
Bipolar Disorder:
Review the half-life, interactions, and adverse effects of mood stabilizers. Know how
half-life influences dosing frequency and patient adherence to treatment plans.
Explore side effects unique to this medication class and specific treatments for common
adverse reactions.
General Medication Knowledge:
What medication should be avoided in clients with an eating disorder? Why?
, Review the mechanism of action (MOA), adverse reactions, indications, starting doses,
and necessary lab tests.
Which medication has a risk priapism?
Understand neurotransmitter actions beyond 5HT (such as norepinephrine, dopamine and
GABA) and how these subtypes influence treatment outcomes in anxiety and depression.
Prepare to apply medication knowledge to clinical scenarios, such as treating eating
disorders or nicotine addiction.
Consider lifespan considerations:
o Identify medications safe for elderly patients and those to avoid.
o Understand QTc prolongation risks and management.
L-Methylfolate in Depression:
What is L-Methylfolate?
Review its MOA and role as an adjunct treatment.
Module 6: Treatments for Substance Use Disorders
Reward Circuits and Neurotransmitters:
Study neural circuits and neurotransmitters involved in addiction as outlined in Stahl
Focus on brain regions and their role in natural and substance-induced highs
Addiction Medications:
Review FDA-approved indications for addiction-related treatments (e.g., alcohol use
disorder, opioid dependence, nicotine cessation)
Identify medications that may precipitate withdrawal and their specific initiation
protocols.
Understand client education topics for addiction medications.
Understand the initiation time frames for medications and their implications for clinical
practice.
Know the client educate about the medications, including their indications, mechanisms
of action, adverse effects, and starting doses.
Substances of Abuse:
Study mechanisms of action and physical exam findings associated with commonly
abused substances such as opioids, nicotine, cannabis, and stimulants.
Learn to identify substances based on symptoms, including pupil responses to illegal
substances. If given a clinical scenario, could you identify which substance was taken
based on the client’s symptoms?
Review when medications can be initiated based on withdrawal severity.
