Psychotropic Medications for Specific Disorders
Psychotropic Medications for Specific Disorders ( 5 Questions)
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?
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.
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 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.
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.