Psych Nursing | Neurobiology, Pharmacotherapy & Mood Disorders
What is the primary focus of Exam 2 in Neurobiology & pharmacotherapy, depressive
Psych Nursing? disorders, bipolar disorders, and substance-related
disorders, especially alcohol.
What are the major functions of the Homeostasis, autonomic nervous system regulation,
hypothalamus? hormones, sleep/wake cycle, and circadian rhythms.
What is the role of the cerebrum in Conscious mental activity, memory, social skills, and
brain function? behavior.
What neurotransmitters are important in Norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.
the limbic system?
What is the difference between Pharmacodynamics refers to what the drug does and
pharmacodynamics and how it produces effects, while pharmacokinetics refers
pharmacokinetics? to what the body does to the drug (absorption,
distribution, metabolism, excretion).
What is an agonist in pharmacology? A substance that mimics a neurotransmitter, binds to its
receptor, and stimulates it.
What are benzodiazepines commonly Anxiety/panic, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal.
used for?
Name two examples of SSRIs. Escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft).
What is serotonin syndrome? A condition caused by excessive serotonin, leading to
symptoms like agitation, confusion, dilated pupils, and
severe cases can involve high fever and seizures.
What are common adverse effects of Sedation, orthostatic hypotension, anticholinergic
TCAs? effects, dysrhythmias, and seizures.
Grade A+ | Updated
, Psych Nursing | Neurobiology, Pharmacotherapy & Mood Disorders
What dietary restrictions are associated Avoid tyramine-rich foods such as aged cheeses, cured
with MAOIs? meats, and fermented foods to prevent hypertensive
crisis.
What is the classic mood stabilizer for Lithium.
bipolar disorder?
What are the signs of lithium toxicity? Coarse tremors, EKG changes, seizures, tinnitus, and
worsening neurologic/GI findings.
What are the therapeutic levels for 85-125 µg/mL.
valproate in acute mania?
What are first-generation antipsychotics Strong dopamine/D2 antagonism and concerns for
known for? extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and tardive
dyskinesia.
What is the mechanism of action for Inhibit serotonin reuptake, increasing serotonin
SSRIs? availability in the synapse.
What are the major concerns with the Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), sedation, and weight
use of antipsychotics? gain.
What are the main symptoms of Sadness, emptiness, irritability, somatic concerns,
depressive disorders? impaired thinking, and impaired ability to function.
What is the role of GABA in mental Involved in anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and
health? schizophrenia.
Grade A+ | Updated
, Psych Nursing | Neurobiology, Pharmacotherapy & Mood Disorders
What is the function of the brainstem? Regulates internal organs/vital functions and processes
sensory information.
What is the significance of the limbic It is involved in emotional status and psychological
system? function.
What is the role of neuropeptides in Associated with anxiety and PTSD.
mental health?
What are the common uses of Targets memory-related treatment in Alzheimer's
acetylcholine in treatment? disease.
What is the primary concern with Increased suicidal ideation, especially early in
antidepressants during initial treatment? treatment.
What are the side effects of SNRIs? Similar to SSRIs, including potential for serotonin
syndrome.
What are the common side effects of Z- Drowsiness, dizziness, and potential for dependence.
hypnotics?
What is the importance of monitoring To prevent lithium toxicity and manage side effects.
renal function in patients taking lithium?
What are the shared symptoms of Sadness, emptiness, irritability, somatic concerns,
depressive disorders? impaired thinking, and impaired ability to function.
Grade A+ | Updated
, Psych Nursing | Neurobiology, Pharmacotherapy & Mood Disorders
What are vegetative symptoms in Significant changes in appetite, sleep, menstruation,
depressive disorders? bowel habits, bladder function, and sexual
performance.
What is anhedonia? Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were
previously enjoyable.
What characterizes Major Depressive Five or more symptoms during a 2-week period,
Disorder (MDD)? including depressed mood or anhedonia, causing
distress or impaired functioning.
What is Persistent Depressive Low-level depressive feelings most days for at least 2
Disorder? years in adults or 1 year in children/adolescents, with at
least two associated symptoms.
What symptoms are associated with Mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, feeling
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder overwhelmed, and difficulty concentrating, which
(PMDD)? decrease significantly with menstruation.
What defines Disruptive Mood Severe persistent irritability/anger and disproportionate
Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)? temper outbursts occurring at least 3 times/week in at
least two settings.
What are some risk factors for Major Genetic/family history, stressful life events, hormonal
Depressive Disorder? factors, female sex, substance use, chronic medical
conditions, and lack of social support.
What is Beck's cognitive triad? A negative view of self, a pessimistic view of the world,
and a belief that negative outcomes will continue in the
future.
What is learned helplessness in the Depression develops when a person feels unable to
context of depression? control the outcome of stressful situations.
What is the priority in assessing a Assessing suicide risk.
patient with depression?
Grade A+ | Updated
What is the primary focus of Exam 2 in Neurobiology & pharmacotherapy, depressive
Psych Nursing? disorders, bipolar disorders, and substance-related
disorders, especially alcohol.
What are the major functions of the Homeostasis, autonomic nervous system regulation,
hypothalamus? hormones, sleep/wake cycle, and circadian rhythms.
What is the role of the cerebrum in Conscious mental activity, memory, social skills, and
brain function? behavior.
What neurotransmitters are important in Norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.
the limbic system?
What is the difference between Pharmacodynamics refers to what the drug does and
pharmacodynamics and how it produces effects, while pharmacokinetics refers
pharmacokinetics? to what the body does to the drug (absorption,
distribution, metabolism, excretion).
What is an agonist in pharmacology? A substance that mimics a neurotransmitter, binds to its
receptor, and stimulates it.
What are benzodiazepines commonly Anxiety/panic, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal.
used for?
Name two examples of SSRIs. Escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft).
What is serotonin syndrome? A condition caused by excessive serotonin, leading to
symptoms like agitation, confusion, dilated pupils, and
severe cases can involve high fever and seizures.
What are common adverse effects of Sedation, orthostatic hypotension, anticholinergic
TCAs? effects, dysrhythmias, and seizures.
Grade A+ | Updated
, Psych Nursing | Neurobiology, Pharmacotherapy & Mood Disorders
What dietary restrictions are associated Avoid tyramine-rich foods such as aged cheeses, cured
with MAOIs? meats, and fermented foods to prevent hypertensive
crisis.
What is the classic mood stabilizer for Lithium.
bipolar disorder?
What are the signs of lithium toxicity? Coarse tremors, EKG changes, seizures, tinnitus, and
worsening neurologic/GI findings.
What are the therapeutic levels for 85-125 µg/mL.
valproate in acute mania?
What are first-generation antipsychotics Strong dopamine/D2 antagonism and concerns for
known for? extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and tardive
dyskinesia.
What is the mechanism of action for Inhibit serotonin reuptake, increasing serotonin
SSRIs? availability in the synapse.
What are the major concerns with the Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), sedation, and weight
use of antipsychotics? gain.
What are the main symptoms of Sadness, emptiness, irritability, somatic concerns,
depressive disorders? impaired thinking, and impaired ability to function.
What is the role of GABA in mental Involved in anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and
health? schizophrenia.
Grade A+ | Updated
, Psych Nursing | Neurobiology, Pharmacotherapy & Mood Disorders
What is the function of the brainstem? Regulates internal organs/vital functions and processes
sensory information.
What is the significance of the limbic It is involved in emotional status and psychological
system? function.
What is the role of neuropeptides in Associated with anxiety and PTSD.
mental health?
What are the common uses of Targets memory-related treatment in Alzheimer's
acetylcholine in treatment? disease.
What is the primary concern with Increased suicidal ideation, especially early in
antidepressants during initial treatment? treatment.
What are the side effects of SNRIs? Similar to SSRIs, including potential for serotonin
syndrome.
What are the common side effects of Z- Drowsiness, dizziness, and potential for dependence.
hypnotics?
What is the importance of monitoring To prevent lithium toxicity and manage side effects.
renal function in patients taking lithium?
What are the shared symptoms of Sadness, emptiness, irritability, somatic concerns,
depressive disorders? impaired thinking, and impaired ability to function.
Grade A+ | Updated
, Psych Nursing | Neurobiology, Pharmacotherapy & Mood Disorders
What are vegetative symptoms in Significant changes in appetite, sleep, menstruation,
depressive disorders? bowel habits, bladder function, and sexual
performance.
What is anhedonia? Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were
previously enjoyable.
What characterizes Major Depressive Five or more symptoms during a 2-week period,
Disorder (MDD)? including depressed mood or anhedonia, causing
distress or impaired functioning.
What is Persistent Depressive Low-level depressive feelings most days for at least 2
Disorder? years in adults or 1 year in children/adolescents, with at
least two associated symptoms.
What symptoms are associated with Mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, feeling
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder overwhelmed, and difficulty concentrating, which
(PMDD)? decrease significantly with menstruation.
What defines Disruptive Mood Severe persistent irritability/anger and disproportionate
Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)? temper outbursts occurring at least 3 times/week in at
least two settings.
What are some risk factors for Major Genetic/family history, stressful life events, hormonal
Depressive Disorder? factors, female sex, substance use, chronic medical
conditions, and lack of social support.
What is Beck's cognitive triad? A negative view of self, a pessimistic view of the world,
and a belief that negative outcomes will continue in the
future.
What is learned helplessness in the Depression develops when a person feels unable to
context of depression? control the outcome of stressful situations.
What is the priority in assessing a Assessing suicide risk.
patient with depression?
Grade A+ | Updated
