Active Classroom Instructor Guide for Townsend, Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Concepts
of Care in Evidence-Based Practice
Learning Activity 4.1.
Psychotropic Medication Quiz
1. What is the mechanism of action by which antidepressant medications achieve the desired effect
(regardless of the different physiological processes by which this action is accomplished)?
The MOA by which antidepressant medications achieve the desired effect is an increase
concentration of norepinephrine, serotonin, and/or dopamine in the body either by blocking their
reuptake by the neurons or by inhibiting the release of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s)
2. For what must the nurse be on the alert with the client who is receiving antidepressant medication?
The nurse must know what other medication the patient is on because other drugs such as
warfarin, NSAID’s, SSRI’s, TCA’s, etc. have adverse effects when taken at the same time. There but also be
a risk for suicide, risk for constipation, social isolation, and insomnia that the nurse needs to be aware of
and look for.
3. As the nurse, when would you expect the client to begin showing signs of symptomatic relief after the
initiation of antidepressant therapy?
Antidepressant medication may take up to 4 weeks to produce full therapeutic benefits and the
antidepressants elevate mood and alleviate other symptoms associated with moderate – to – severe
depression.
4. Name an example of a tricyclic antidepressant: Amitriptyline.
Name an example of an MAOI: Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Name an example of an SSRI: Citalopram (Celexa).
5. Describe some common side effects and nursing implications for tricyclic antidepressants.
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of Care in Evidence-Based Practice
Learning Activity 4.1.
Psychotropic Medication Quiz
1. What is the mechanism of action by which antidepressant medications achieve the desired effect
(regardless of the different physiological processes by which this action is accomplished)?
The MOA by which antidepressant medications achieve the desired effect is an increase
concentration of norepinephrine, serotonin, and/or dopamine in the body either by blocking their
reuptake by the neurons or by inhibiting the release of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s)
2. For what must the nurse be on the alert with the client who is receiving antidepressant medication?
The nurse must know what other medication the patient is on because other drugs such as
warfarin, NSAID’s, SSRI’s, TCA’s, etc. have adverse effects when taken at the same time. There but also be
a risk for suicide, risk for constipation, social isolation, and insomnia that the nurse needs to be aware of
and look for.
3. As the nurse, when would you expect the client to begin showing signs of symptomatic relief after the
initiation of antidepressant therapy?
Antidepressant medication may take up to 4 weeks to produce full therapeutic benefits and the
antidepressants elevate mood and alleviate other symptoms associated with moderate – to – severe
depression.
4. Name an example of a tricyclic antidepressant: Amitriptyline.
Name an example of an MAOI: Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Name an example of an SSRI: Citalopram (Celexa).
5. Describe some common side effects and nursing implications for tricyclic antidepressants.
1
