1|Page
ATI MEDICATIONS MENTAL HEALTH 2025 UPDATE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
Therapeutic uses for tricyclic antidepressants include ______________,
neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, anxiety disorders, insomnia, and bipolar disorder. -
Answer: depressive disorders
3 anti-seizure meds used for mood stabilizing? - Answer: carbamazepine (Tegretol)
valproate (Depakote)
lamotrigine (Lamictal)
main concerns c carbamazepine: - Answer: blood dyscrasias
- infections
- bleeds
double vision, vertigo
fluid overload
NOT for pregnancy (also decreases OCP effectiveness)
main concerns c valproate - Answer: GI upset (usually temporary)
hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis
weight gain
NOT for pregnancy
1st gen APs are classified as low, medium, or high potency. This means? - Answer:
Low: *low* EPS, *high* sedation, *high* ACh
Med: *med* EPS, *med* sedation, *low* ACh
High: *high* EPS, *low* sedation, *low* ACh
why are 2nd gen APs preferred to 1st? - Answer: work on positive *and* negative
symptoms
few EPS, few ACh
, 2|Page
less relapse
why are 3rd gen APs preferred to others? - Answer: few EPS/TD
lower risk of ACh
*lower risk of weight gain*
what are EPSs? - Answer: *akathisia* - restlessness, pacing
*dystonia* - muscle spasms
*parkinsonism* - bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor
APs have risk for neuroleptic malignant syndrome. S/S? - Answer: HTN,
hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea
Altered LOC possible
Hyporeflexia
Muscle rigidity
Serotonin syndrome and NMS sound a lot alike. What's the difference? - Answer: -
type of medication causing it
- onset: SS within a day, NMS a few days
- SS: *muscles contracting, hyperreflexia*
- NMS: *muscles rigid, hyporeflexia*
How to screen for EPS? - Answer: Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS)
- look @ sticking tongue out
What is a major problem with APs and what's one way to manage it? - Answer:
Compliance - pts c SCZ frequently stop taking meds r/t SEs, access, expense, etc.
Depot formulas - monthly injections
(however, safety concerns c these)
Main 2nd gen AP concerns - Answer: - metabolic syndrome - weight, lipids, blood
sugar
- ACh effects (including orthostatic hypotension)
- Sexual dysfunction
- Prolactin levels
ATI MEDICATIONS MENTAL HEALTH 2025 UPDATE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
Therapeutic uses for tricyclic antidepressants include ______________,
neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, anxiety disorders, insomnia, and bipolar disorder. -
Answer: depressive disorders
3 anti-seizure meds used for mood stabilizing? - Answer: carbamazepine (Tegretol)
valproate (Depakote)
lamotrigine (Lamictal)
main concerns c carbamazepine: - Answer: blood dyscrasias
- infections
- bleeds
double vision, vertigo
fluid overload
NOT for pregnancy (also decreases OCP effectiveness)
main concerns c valproate - Answer: GI upset (usually temporary)
hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis
weight gain
NOT for pregnancy
1st gen APs are classified as low, medium, or high potency. This means? - Answer:
Low: *low* EPS, *high* sedation, *high* ACh
Med: *med* EPS, *med* sedation, *low* ACh
High: *high* EPS, *low* sedation, *low* ACh
why are 2nd gen APs preferred to 1st? - Answer: work on positive *and* negative
symptoms
few EPS, few ACh
, 2|Page
less relapse
why are 3rd gen APs preferred to others? - Answer: few EPS/TD
lower risk of ACh
*lower risk of weight gain*
what are EPSs? - Answer: *akathisia* - restlessness, pacing
*dystonia* - muscle spasms
*parkinsonism* - bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor
APs have risk for neuroleptic malignant syndrome. S/S? - Answer: HTN,
hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea
Altered LOC possible
Hyporeflexia
Muscle rigidity
Serotonin syndrome and NMS sound a lot alike. What's the difference? - Answer: -
type of medication causing it
- onset: SS within a day, NMS a few days
- SS: *muscles contracting, hyperreflexia*
- NMS: *muscles rigid, hyporeflexia*
How to screen for EPS? - Answer: Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS)
- look @ sticking tongue out
What is a major problem with APs and what's one way to manage it? - Answer:
Compliance - pts c SCZ frequently stop taking meds r/t SEs, access, expense, etc.
Depot formulas - monthly injections
(however, safety concerns c these)
Main 2nd gen AP concerns - Answer: - metabolic syndrome - weight, lipids, blood
sugar
- ACh effects (including orthostatic hypotension)
- Sexual dysfunction
- Prolactin levels
