Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Assessment Study Guide Solutions
Explain the clinical signifcance of the Stystematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder:
STEP-BD) - ANSWER✔✔-As more contempts are tried with SSRIs to relieve depressive symptoms, the
client becomes more treatment resistant leading to poor outcomes.
Explain the clinical significance of the Sequenced Treatment Alternative to Relieve Depression STAR D -
ANSWER✔✔-Strong behavioral therapy combined with medications lead to 30% better outcomes as
compared to monotherapy or medication or therapy alone.
Describe the mechanism of action of Typical Antipsychotics - ANSWER✔✔-Blocking D2 receptors in the
mesolimbic and mesocortical
The Blocking D2 receptors in the mesolimbic and mesocortical tract - ANSWER✔✔-tract reducing
positive symptoms of psychosis, does effect the negative symptoms of the disorder, can create EPS
symptoms in the nigro-striatal tract,
Nigrostriatal - ANSWER✔✔-involved with muscular movement
Mesolimbic - ANSWER✔✔-source of visual hallucinations and auditory hallucinations,
Mesocortical - ANSWER✔✔-mesocortical area holds affective symptoms,
Blocking Alpha 1 adrenergic receptors through down regulation causing orthostatic hypotention -
ANSWER✔✔-
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Pharmacological strategies in addressing EPS symptoms - ANSWER✔✔-Change medication
Lower the dose
Prescribe cogentin
Second generation antipsychotics are pharmacology directed to - ANSWER✔✔-blocking both D2 and 5HT
receptors in the brain and also relieve the negative symptoms of psychosi
down regulation blocking Alpha ! receptors - ANSWER✔✔-Orthostatic hypotension and dizziness which
comes
down regulation of blocking Muscarinic and Histamine receptors - ANSWER✔✔-Weight gain, dizziness
serontin down regulation in the gut - ANSWER✔✔-constipation
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome - ANSWER✔✔-cause by increased medication changes or treatment
naive patients
What are notable side effects of Clozapine - ANSWER✔✔-Induced by cigarette smoking which is through
the 1A2 pathway
Recommended dosing schedule for clozapine - ANSWER✔✔-Start at 12.5 first day,
then in divide doses of 25-50 mg/day up to 300-400 mg per day.
Clozapine maxes - ANSWER✔✔-Maximum dose is 900 mg per day.
No single dose should exceed 450 mg
Clozapine monitoring - ANSWER✔✔-Need to register at the clozapine website as a provider
Normal levels of WBCs > 3500
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Normal levels of ANC > 2000
wbc - ANSWER✔✔-WBC with differentials, Absolute Neutrophil Count
Blood draws are done weekly for the first 6 months, then every other week for 6 months, then monthly
Notable side effects of Risperidone - ANSWER✔✔-Increase risk of seizure
Contraindicated for pregnancy
Increased prolactin
Metabolic syndrome diagnostic criteria - ANSWER✔✔-Combination of any three of the following
Abdominal circumference > 37 in males > 31.5 in femaies
Plus any two of the following:
Elevated Triglycerides > 150 mg/dl
HDL less than 40 mg/dl in men, 50 mg/dl in women
Blood pressure >130/85, or receiving treatment for hypertension
Fasting blood sugar >110 mg/dl or prior type of DM diagnosis
A weight increase of 7% should prompt the provider - ANSWER✔✔-to consider a different medication.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome criteria - ANSWER✔✔-Within 2 weeks of beginning the medication or a
significant medication increase / or present with abrupt withdrawal of levodopa or exposure to a
dopamine agonist
Classic triad: - ANSWER✔✔-Hot, Stiff, and Out of it: includes extreme mental status change/confusion,
extreme muscle rigidity, and extremem autonomic instability/hyperthermia:
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What is the appropriate treatment for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome - ANSWER✔✔-Dantrolene
bromocriptine to relieve rigidity
How are TCA metabolized - ANSWER✔✔-the 2D6 pathway
The importance of TCA to be aware of: - ANSWER✔✔-Toxicity causes heart block, torsade de pointes
arrythmia or sudden death
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOIs) concern for treatment - ANSWER✔✔-Low tyramine diet including
red wine, cheese, processed foods, causes a hypertensive crisis (high blood pressure)
Buproprion - ANSWER✔✔-Can lower the seizure threshold, should avoid in children and the elderly,
NDRI class
Fluoxetine (Prozac) - ANSWER✔✔-Longer half life 36-40 hours
Paroxetine (Paxil) - ANSWER✔✔-known for withdrawl symptoms if not taken regular, short half-life, good
for anxiety disorders
Citalopram (Celexa) - ANSWER✔✔-cardiac effect may require decreased doses (QT prolongation) do not
go over 40 mg/day
Trazodone - ANSWER✔✔-Can cause priaprism
Sertraline (Zoloft) - ANSWER✔✔-Dose dependent, need to increase the dose
Venlafaxine - ANSWER✔✔-Elevated blood pressure
Signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome - ANSWER✔✔-High serotonin levels can cause agitation,
confusion, hallucinations, tachycardia, fever, anxiety, muscle rigidity, hyperreflexia, tremors, diarrha,
hypo/hypertension
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