NR 545 pathophysiology exam 2026
Questions and Answers
Lithium - Correct answer-Action: alters cation transport in the nerve and muscle
indication: euphoric mania, rapid cycling, maintenance therapy CKD,
AE: GI effects, tremor, polyuria
Pearls: monitor plasma levels, reduce dose w/renal failure, use caution w/
concurrent diuretics, use to protect against suicide
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) - Correct answer-Action: affects sodium channel ion
transport and enhances the effect of GABA
indications: maintenance, monotherapy for bipolar disorder
AE: benign rash, GI effects, dizziness, HA, SJS!!!
Pearls: equal in efficacy to lithium, assess for rash, risk for SJS and multi organ
failure, take at bedtime
Valporic acid( depakene) - Correct answer-Action: affects ion transport and
enhances the activity of GABA
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,indications: acute mania, mixed mood, comomorbid substance abuse, multiple
prior episodes
AE: weight gain, GI effects
2nd generation antipsychotics - Correct answer-Risperidone
Quetiapine
Aripriprazole
cariprazine
lurasidone
quetapine
actions: DA, NE, 5HT receptor antagonists
Indications: acute bipolar depression, acute manic or mixed episodes, bipolar
maintenance/adjunct
AE: wt gain, sedation, GI effects
Pearls: eps, XR May improve adherence, monthly injection may improve
adherence, select 2nd gen antipsychotics first to decrease risk of SE and long term
adverse effects
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, Carbemazepine(tegretol) - Correct answer-Glutamate voltage gated sodium and
calcium blocker
inducation: acute mania/ mixed mood
AE: weight gain, sedation, hyponatremia, neutropenia, rash(sjs)
unipolar depression - Correct answer-depression without a history of mania, most
common mental disorder
s- sleep
i- interest
g-guilt
e- energy
c-concentration
a-appetite
p- psychomotor/agitation retardation
s- suicidal thoughts
bipolar depression - Correct answer-A form of depression characterised by periods
of heightened moods and periods of despondency and hopelessness
Bipolar type1- - Correct answer-One episode of mania for at least 1 week
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Questions and Answers
Lithium - Correct answer-Action: alters cation transport in the nerve and muscle
indication: euphoric mania, rapid cycling, maintenance therapy CKD,
AE: GI effects, tremor, polyuria
Pearls: monitor plasma levels, reduce dose w/renal failure, use caution w/
concurrent diuretics, use to protect against suicide
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) - Correct answer-Action: affects sodium channel ion
transport and enhances the effect of GABA
indications: maintenance, monotherapy for bipolar disorder
AE: benign rash, GI effects, dizziness, HA, SJS!!!
Pearls: equal in efficacy to lithium, assess for rash, risk for SJS and multi organ
failure, take at bedtime
Valporic acid( depakene) - Correct answer-Action: affects ion transport and
enhances the activity of GABA
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,indications: acute mania, mixed mood, comomorbid substance abuse, multiple
prior episodes
AE: weight gain, GI effects
2nd generation antipsychotics - Correct answer-Risperidone
Quetiapine
Aripriprazole
cariprazine
lurasidone
quetapine
actions: DA, NE, 5HT receptor antagonists
Indications: acute bipolar depression, acute manic or mixed episodes, bipolar
maintenance/adjunct
AE: wt gain, sedation, GI effects
Pearls: eps, XR May improve adherence, monthly injection may improve
adherence, select 2nd gen antipsychotics first to decrease risk of SE and long term
adverse effects
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, Carbemazepine(tegretol) - Correct answer-Glutamate voltage gated sodium and
calcium blocker
inducation: acute mania/ mixed mood
AE: weight gain, sedation, hyponatremia, neutropenia, rash(sjs)
unipolar depression - Correct answer-depression without a history of mania, most
common mental disorder
s- sleep
i- interest
g-guilt
e- energy
c-concentration
a-appetite
p- psychomotor/agitation retardation
s- suicidal thoughts
bipolar depression - Correct answer-A form of depression characterised by periods
of heightened moods and periods of despondency and hopelessness
Bipolar type1- - Correct answer-One episode of mania for at least 1 week
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
