NR 326 : Psychotherapeutic Medications Study – UPDATED
Questions with 100% Verified Answers
NR 326
NR 326 : Psychotherapeutic Medications Study
Study Questions and Answers
Q1 Psychotherapeutic Drugs Overview
A Overview Psychotherapeutic drugs are used to treat emotional and mental disorders Main mental health disorders:
Anxiety disorders Affective (Mood) disorders Psychoses
Q2 Psychotherapeutic Drug Categories
A Anxiolytics (Anti-anxiety) Mood Stabilizers Antidepressants Antipsychotics
Q3 Neurotransmitters
A Dopamine (DA): Influences mood, reward, attention, and movement Serotonin (5-HT): Affects mood, sleep,
appetite, and cognition Norepinephrine (NE): Arousal, alertness, and stress response GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric
acid): Main inhibitory neurotransmitter; calms the nervous system Acetylcholine (ACh): Learning, memory, and
muscle activation Glutamate: Main excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in learning and memory
Q4 Anxiety Disorders & Anxiolytics
A 1. Benzodiazepines Use: Fast-acting; effective for acute anxiety and panic attacks Limitations: Short-term use only
due to high risk of tolerance, dependence, and addiction Precautions: Avoid concurrent use with alcohol Examples:
Drugs ending in -pam or -lam (e.g., lorazepam, alprazolam) 2. SSRIs/SNRIs (First-line for chronic anxiety) Use:
Long-term management of generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and other anxiety-related conditions
Examples: SSRIs: e.g., sertraline, paroxetine SNRIs: e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine Onset: Takes several weeks to
become effective 3. Buspirone (Atypical Anxiolytic) Use: Long-term treatment of chronic anxiety Benefits: Slow
onset, not sedating No risk of addiction or withdrawal Safe for extended use
Q5 Mood Stabilizers for Bipolar Disorder
A Lithium Carbonate & Citrate Gold standard for treating mania Narrow therapeutic range: Acute mania: 1.0–1.5
mEq/L ■ Maintenance: 0.6–1.2 mEq/L ■ Toxicity >1.5–2.5 mEq/L → tremor, confusion, GI upset, seizures, death
Maintain sodium 135–145 mEq/L to stabilize levels Most serious adverse effect: Cardiac dysrhythmias ■ Most
common side effect: Weight gain Additional Mood Stabilizers: Benzodiazepines Antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine,
clozapine) Antiepileptics (e.g., valproic acid, carbamazepine)
Q6 Antidepressants
NR 326 : Psychotherapeutic Medications Study 1
, A Indications: Used to treat depressive disorders, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, eating disorders, and aid in smoking
cessation. Classes of Antidepressants: 1. Second-Generation Antidepressants ■ (First-line treatment) Includes
SSRIs, SNRIs, and atypicals. SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline): Fewer side effects; commonly used SNRIs (e.g.,
venlafaxine, duloxetine): Dual serotonin-norepinephrine action Atypicals (e.g., bupropion, mirtazapine): Bupropion:
No sexual side effects, used for depression and smoking cessation; contraindicated in seizure history ■
Mirtazapine: Sedating and appetite stimulating Onset: Takes 4–6 weeks to show therapeutic effects ■ Common
Side Effects: CNS: Headache, tremors, insomnia GI: Nausea, dry mouth, constipation Other: Sexual dysfunction,
weight gain ■ 2. Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Example: Amitriptyline Use: Second-line due to adverse effects
Adverse Effects: Sedation, impotence, orthostatic hypotension Toxicity: Highly lethal (seizures, dysrhythmias)
Management: No antidote; use activated charcoal, alkalinize urine, manage symptoms 3. Monoamine Oxidase
Inhibitors (MAOIs) Example: Phenelzine Risks: Dangerous interactions, hypertensive crisis ■ Adverse Effects:
Orthostatic hypotension, insomnia, palpitations Dietary Restrictions: Avoid tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, wine,
smoked meats) ■ Other Considerations St. John’s Wort (Herbal): Used for depression/anxiety. Risk of serotonin
syndrome when combined with SSRIs or MAOIs. Also avoid tyramine foods. Serotonin Syndrome ■ Early Signs:
Agitation, tremors, sweating Severe: Hyperthermia, seizures, renal failure, DIC Treatment: Discontinue serotonergic
meds, support homeostasis
Q7 Nursing Considerations for Antidepressants
A Teach that effects take 4–6 weeks Avoid abrupt withdrawal ■ Change positions slowly to prevent falls (orthostatic
hypotension) Only small amounts dispensed (suicide risk) Avoid alcohol or CNS depressants SSRIs must be
tapered over 1–2 months ■
Q8 Psychotic Disorders & Antipsychotics
A Definition of Psychosis: Severe disorder causing loss of contact with reality Includes: Schizophrenia, drug-induced
psychoses Antipsychotic Drug Types Conventional (1st-gen) – treats positive symptoms only Atypical (2nd-gen) –
treats positive & negative symptoms ■ Mechanism: Block dopamine receptors → calming effect Adverse Effects:
CNS: sedation, EPS, NMS, tardive dyskinesia Cardiac: orthostatic hypotension, ECG changes GI: dry mouth,
constipation
Q9 EPS (Extrapyramidal Symptoms) ■
A Parkinson-like symptoms, restlessness, muscle spasms Treated with benztropine
Q10 Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) ■
A Life-threatening: high fever, unstable BP, myoglobinemia
Q11 Tardive Dyskinesia (TD):
A Involuntary facial/motor movements From long-term use
Q12 Notable Antipsychotics:
A Clozapine – risk of blood dyscrasias ■ Olanzapine – used in bipolar, may cause tachycardia, weight gain, blood
issues
NR 326 : Psychotherapeutic Medications Study 2
Questions with 100% Verified Answers
NR 326
NR 326 : Psychotherapeutic Medications Study
Study Questions and Answers
Q1 Psychotherapeutic Drugs Overview
A Overview Psychotherapeutic drugs are used to treat emotional and mental disorders Main mental health disorders:
Anxiety disorders Affective (Mood) disorders Psychoses
Q2 Psychotherapeutic Drug Categories
A Anxiolytics (Anti-anxiety) Mood Stabilizers Antidepressants Antipsychotics
Q3 Neurotransmitters
A Dopamine (DA): Influences mood, reward, attention, and movement Serotonin (5-HT): Affects mood, sleep,
appetite, and cognition Norepinephrine (NE): Arousal, alertness, and stress response GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric
acid): Main inhibitory neurotransmitter; calms the nervous system Acetylcholine (ACh): Learning, memory, and
muscle activation Glutamate: Main excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in learning and memory
Q4 Anxiety Disorders & Anxiolytics
A 1. Benzodiazepines Use: Fast-acting; effective for acute anxiety and panic attacks Limitations: Short-term use only
due to high risk of tolerance, dependence, and addiction Precautions: Avoid concurrent use with alcohol Examples:
Drugs ending in -pam or -lam (e.g., lorazepam, alprazolam) 2. SSRIs/SNRIs (First-line for chronic anxiety) Use:
Long-term management of generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and other anxiety-related conditions
Examples: SSRIs: e.g., sertraline, paroxetine SNRIs: e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine Onset: Takes several weeks to
become effective 3. Buspirone (Atypical Anxiolytic) Use: Long-term treatment of chronic anxiety Benefits: Slow
onset, not sedating No risk of addiction or withdrawal Safe for extended use
Q5 Mood Stabilizers for Bipolar Disorder
A Lithium Carbonate & Citrate Gold standard for treating mania Narrow therapeutic range: Acute mania: 1.0–1.5
mEq/L ■ Maintenance: 0.6–1.2 mEq/L ■ Toxicity >1.5–2.5 mEq/L → tremor, confusion, GI upset, seizures, death
Maintain sodium 135–145 mEq/L to stabilize levels Most serious adverse effect: Cardiac dysrhythmias ■ Most
common side effect: Weight gain Additional Mood Stabilizers: Benzodiazepines Antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine,
clozapine) Antiepileptics (e.g., valproic acid, carbamazepine)
Q6 Antidepressants
NR 326 : Psychotherapeutic Medications Study 1
, A Indications: Used to treat depressive disorders, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, eating disorders, and aid in smoking
cessation. Classes of Antidepressants: 1. Second-Generation Antidepressants ■ (First-line treatment) Includes
SSRIs, SNRIs, and atypicals. SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline): Fewer side effects; commonly used SNRIs (e.g.,
venlafaxine, duloxetine): Dual serotonin-norepinephrine action Atypicals (e.g., bupropion, mirtazapine): Bupropion:
No sexual side effects, used for depression and smoking cessation; contraindicated in seizure history ■
Mirtazapine: Sedating and appetite stimulating Onset: Takes 4–6 weeks to show therapeutic effects ■ Common
Side Effects: CNS: Headache, tremors, insomnia GI: Nausea, dry mouth, constipation Other: Sexual dysfunction,
weight gain ■ 2. Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Example: Amitriptyline Use: Second-line due to adverse effects
Adverse Effects: Sedation, impotence, orthostatic hypotension Toxicity: Highly lethal (seizures, dysrhythmias)
Management: No antidote; use activated charcoal, alkalinize urine, manage symptoms 3. Monoamine Oxidase
Inhibitors (MAOIs) Example: Phenelzine Risks: Dangerous interactions, hypertensive crisis ■ Adverse Effects:
Orthostatic hypotension, insomnia, palpitations Dietary Restrictions: Avoid tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, wine,
smoked meats) ■ Other Considerations St. John’s Wort (Herbal): Used for depression/anxiety. Risk of serotonin
syndrome when combined with SSRIs or MAOIs. Also avoid tyramine foods. Serotonin Syndrome ■ Early Signs:
Agitation, tremors, sweating Severe: Hyperthermia, seizures, renal failure, DIC Treatment: Discontinue serotonergic
meds, support homeostasis
Q7 Nursing Considerations for Antidepressants
A Teach that effects take 4–6 weeks Avoid abrupt withdrawal ■ Change positions slowly to prevent falls (orthostatic
hypotension) Only small amounts dispensed (suicide risk) Avoid alcohol or CNS depressants SSRIs must be
tapered over 1–2 months ■
Q8 Psychotic Disorders & Antipsychotics
A Definition of Psychosis: Severe disorder causing loss of contact with reality Includes: Schizophrenia, drug-induced
psychoses Antipsychotic Drug Types Conventional (1st-gen) – treats positive symptoms only Atypical (2nd-gen) –
treats positive & negative symptoms ■ Mechanism: Block dopamine receptors → calming effect Adverse Effects:
CNS: sedation, EPS, NMS, tardive dyskinesia Cardiac: orthostatic hypotension, ECG changes GI: dry mouth,
constipation
Q9 EPS (Extrapyramidal Symptoms) ■
A Parkinson-like symptoms, restlessness, muscle spasms Treated with benztropine
Q10 Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) ■
A Life-threatening: high fever, unstable BP, myoglobinemia
Q11 Tardive Dyskinesia (TD):
A Involuntary facial/motor movements From long-term use
Q12 Notable Antipsychotics:
A Clozapine – risk of blood dyscrasias ■ Olanzapine – used in bipolar, may cause tachycardia, weight gain, blood
issues
NR 326 : Psychotherapeutic Medications Study 2
