Mental Health Pharmacology > Pharmacology
Exam Review
Psychotropic Medications for Specific Disorders
Total Questions : 5
Showing 5 questions, Sign in for moreA nurse is caring for a client with OCD who is taking fluoxetine (Prozac). The nurse should monitor the client for which adverse effect of this medication?
Explanation
This is because fluoxetine (Prozac) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that can increase the level of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when there is too much serotonin in the body. It can cause symptoms such as agitation, confusion, tremors, muscle rigidity, fever, and seizures.
Choice A is wrong because extrapyramidal symptoms are more commonly associated with antipsychotic medications, not SSRIs. Extrapyramidal symptoms include involuntary movements, muscle spasms, and restlessness.
Choice C is wrong because neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare but serious reaction to antipsychotic medications, not SSRIs. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome causes high fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic instability.
Choice D is wrong because anticholinergic crisis is a result of excessive blockade of acetylcholine receptors by medications such as antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, and antiparkinsonian drugs. Anticholinergic crisis can cause dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, tachycardia, and delirium.
The normal range of serotonin in the blood is 101 to 283 ng/mL.
A nurse is teaching a client with PTSD who is prescribed prazosin (Minipress). Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.).
Explanation
According to the web search results, prazosin (Minipress) is an alpha-1 adrenergic blocker that can help reduce nightmares and insomnia in clients with PTSD by blocking the effects of norepinephrine. It can also lower blood pressure by causing vasodilation, so clients should change positions slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension.
Choice C is wrong because prazosin does not increase appetite or cause weight gain.
Choice D is wrong because prazosin does not cause dry mouth, but rather nasal congestion.
Choice E is wrong because prazosin does not cause drowsiness, but rather insomnia in some clients.
A nurse is assessing a client with Tourette syndrome who is taking haloperidol (Haldol).The client reports feeling restless and unable to sit still. The nurse recognizes this as a sign of which medication complication?
Explanation
According to the web search results, akathisia is an adverse effect of haloperidol, which is a medication used to treat Tourette syndrome. Akathisia is a condition that causes restlessness and an inability to sit still.
Choice B is wrong because Dystonia is wrong because it is a condition that causes involuntary muscle contractions and abnormal postures, not restlessness.
Choice C is wrong because Tardive dyskinesia is wrong because it is a condition that causes involuntary movements of the face, tongue, and limbs, not restlessness.
Choice D is wrong because Parkinsonism is wrong because it is a condition that causes tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia, not restlessness.
Normal ranges for haloperidol are 0.5 to 20 ng/mL.
Higher levels can cause toxicity and adverse effects.
A nurse is preparing to administer a dose of bupropion (Wellbutrin) to a client with depression. The client asks the nurse, “How does this medication work?” Which of the following responses should the nurse give?
Explanation
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is an antidepressant that works by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. These are neurotransmitters that regulate mood, motivation, and reward.By increasing their levels, bupropion can help improve your symptoms of depression.
Choice A is wrong because it describes the mechanism of action of selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as venlafaxine (Effexor) or duloxetine (Cymbalta).These drugs block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, making more of them available in the synaptic cleft.
Choice C is wrong because it describes the mechanism of action of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). These drugs inhibit the breakdown of serotonin and norepinephrine, as well as dopamine and tyramine, by the enzyme monoamine oxidase.This increases their levels in the brain, but also poses a risk of hypertensive crisis if the client consumes foods high in tyramine.
Choice D is wrong because it describes the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax). These drugs enhance the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces anxiety and induces relaxation.However, these drugs are not used to treat depression, and can cause dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
A nurse is reviewing the medication history of a client who is prescribed buspirone (BuSpar) for anxiety. The nurse should identify that which of the following medications can interact with buspirone and increase the risk of serotonin syndrome?
Explanation
Amitriptyline (Elavil) is a tricyclic antidepressant that can increase the levels of serotonin in the brain. Buspirone (BuSpar) is an anti-anxiety medication that also affects serotonin receptors.Taking these two medications together can cause serotonin syndrome, which is a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by agitation, confusion, fever, tremors, and muscle rigidity.
Choice B is wrong because lithium carbonate (Lithobid) is a mood stabilizer that does not interact with buspirone or affect serotonin levels.
Choice C is wrong because diazepam (Valium) is a benzodiazepine that enhances the effects of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter.It does not interact with buspirone or affect serotonin levels.
Choice D is wrong because zolpidem (Ambien) is a sedative-hypnotic that acts on GABA receptors.It does not interact with buspirone or affect serotonin levels.
The normal range of serotonin in the blood is 101 to 283 ng/mL.Serotonin syndrome can occur when serotonin levels exceed 500 ng/mL.)
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