Exam 15 - Mental Health Drugs I

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Questions and Answers

Which class of drugs primarily aids in reducing anxiety and can also induce sleep while relaxing skeletal muscles?

Atypical antidepressants

Dopamine system stabilizers

Mood stabilizers

Benzodiazepines (correct)

What is the primary mechanism of action for monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in treating depression?

Enhancing norepinephrine synthesis

Blocking dopamine receptors

Inhibiting monoamine oxidases (correct)

Stabilizing serotonin levels

Which class of drugs is primarily prescribed for managing symptoms associated with bipolar illness?

Atypical antidepressants

Benzodiazepine agonists

Hypnotics

Mood stabilizers (correct)

What distinguishes atypical antipsychotics from typical antipsychotics regarding their side effects?

Improved management of negative symptoms Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?

They prevent the reabsorption of serotonin to increase its availability. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function associated with norepinephrine?

Promoting restful sleep Signup and view all the answers

Which class of drugs may interfere with serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake?

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) Signup and view all the answers

How does gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) relate to anxiety?

Decreased levels of GABA are associated with higher levels of anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

What primary action do benzodiazepines have on the central nervous system?

They depress the central nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes benzodiazepine agonists from benzodiazepines in their usage?

Benzodiazepine agonists have a different chemical structure but similar effects. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant risk of using benzodiazepines (BNZs) in older adults?

Higher likelihood of falls and mortality Signup and view all the answers

What should patients taking buspirone specifically avoid to prevent increased drug effects?

Consuming caffeinated beverages Signup and view all the answers

Why is pregnancy considered an absolute contraindication for using benzodiazepines?

They present a high risk of birth defects Signup and view all the answers

What is an important consideration when discontinuing benzodiazepines after long-term use?

Gradual tapering may be required Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs has a specific role in reversing an overdose of benzodiazepines?

Flumazenil Signup and view all the answers

What potential behavior may occur during sleep for individuals taking BNZ agonists?

Sleep-driving without awareness Signup and view all the answers

What pre-existing condition should be assessed before prescribing benzodiazepines?

Existing liver disorders Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern with the long-term use of benzodiazepines (BNZs)?

Increased risk of physical dependence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about buspirone is true?

Its onset of action can take 1 to 2 weeks. Signup and view all the answers

When should benzodiazepines generally not be prescribed?

For patients with a history of chemical dependency Signup and view all the answers

What is a key nursing implication when administering anxiolytics?

Vital signs should be checked before administration. Signup and view all the answers

Which class of drugs is known to enhance the effects of GABA?

Benzodiazepines (BNZs) Signup and view all the answers

What are potential adverse effects of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine agonists?

Drowsiness and memory loss Signup and view all the answers

How should benzodiazepines be administered for treating acute anxiety?

Primarily for short-term, specific situations Signup and view all the answers

What should be monitored in patients receiving benzodiazepines for anxiety?

Changes in mental status and signs of respiratory depression Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended course of action if withdrawal symptoms occur after using a drug for 2 to 4 weeks?

Contact your healthcare provider for dosage tapering Signup and view all the answers

Which combination of behaviors is advised to avoid when taking antidepressant medications?

Drinking alcohol and driving Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the timeline for antidepressants to take effect?

Most antidepressants take several weeks to take effect Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitters are primarily targeted by atypical antidepressants to alleviate depression?

Dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin Signup and view all the answers

What is a key psychological assessment consideration when starting a patient on an antidepressant?

Screening for suicidal ideation and observing changes in behavior Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Drugs of Mental Health: Key Terms

Anxiolytic: Any drug reducing anxiety.
Atypical Antidepressants: Drugs affecting dopamine, norepinephrine, and/or serotonin to treat depression.
Atypical Antipsychotics (Second-generation): Dopamine and serotonin blockers, improve psychosis symptoms without severe side effects.
Benzodiazepines (BNZs): Sedative-hypnotics depressing the CNS by enhancing GABA effects. Used for anxiety, sleep, muscle relaxation.
Benzodiazepine Agonist: Similar action to BNZs but with less dependence risk, mainly for sleep.
Dopamine System Stabilizers (DSSs): Affect dopamine and serotonin differently, fewer motor side effects than other antipsychotics.
Hypnotics: Sedative-hypnotics primarily for inducing sleep.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Inhibit enzymes breaking down neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin), increasing their availability.
Mood Stabilizers: Primarily treat bipolar illness, managing mania and depression symptoms. Often used as antiseizure drugs.
Nonphenothiazines: Chemically different from phenothiazines but with similar actions, side effects, and adverse effects.
Phenothiazines: Block dopamine receptors and other neurotransmitters, reducing positive psychosis symptoms but causing significant side effects.
Sedatives: A calming, relaxing drug that induces sleep at higher doses, changing CNS signals to reduce stimulation.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Prevent serotonin reabsorption, increasing serotonin levels to improve mood and reduce depression.
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): Prevent reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine increasing neurotransmitter levels.
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): Older class of antidepressants, unknown precise mechanism but thought to interfere with norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake.
Typical Antipsychotics: Block dopamine receptors, treat positive psychosis symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) but not negative symptoms.

Mental Health and Mental Illness Concepts

Mental Health (WHO): Ability to cope with stress, work productively, recognize abilities, and contribute to society. Influenced by biology, environment, culture, and economics.
Mental Illness: Significant changes in thinking, behavior, and emotions. Difficulty coping with normal stressors, interacting with others, or functioning within cultural norms.
Mental Health-Mental Illness Continuum: People can fluctuate between good mental health and mental illness depending on life events and responses to stressors.

Drugs for Sleep and Anxiety

Sedative-Hypnotics: Drugs promoting sleep by altering CNS signals and reducing stimulation. Includes benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine agonists.
Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep. Can be occasional or chronic; affects various functions.
Benzodiazepines (BNZs) and BNZ Agonists (non-benzodiazepines): Used for sleep and anxiety. BNZs enhance GABA activity; BNZ agonists bind to BNZ receptors, initiating sleep and promoting longer sleep, less risk of dependency.
Side Effects and Interactions: Daytime drowsiness, memory loss, liver disorders, addiction risk (BNZs), possible sleep-related behaviors (BZ agonists), drug interactions (avoid alcohol, other CNS depressants, caffeine).

Antianxiety Drugs

Anxiolytics: Drugs reducing anxiety, including benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine agonists, and some antidepressants.
Buspirone (BNZ agonist): Long onset but less dependence risk than BNZs; affect serotonin and dopamine.
Side Effects and Interactions: Similar to sedatives (drowsiness, memory loss, dizziness, headache, hypotension); BNZ interactions with sodium oxybate, opioids, and other CNS depressants; MAOI, opioid, and tuberculosis drugs interactions for buspirone; avoid grapefruit juice with buspirone; risk for increased falls, especially in older adults.

Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers

Depression: Mild or severe mood disorder; can be triggered by stressful events but prolonged inability to function is more significant.
Symptoms of Depression: Varied physical and emotional symptoms (changes in appetite, sleep, energy, concentration, mood, interest in activities).
Categories of Antidepressants: MAOIs, TCAs, SSRIs, SNRIs, and atypical antidepressants.
SSRIs and SNRIs: Drugs increasing serotonin (SSRIs), or both serotonin and norepinephrine (SNRIs) levels to treat depression and anxiety.
Side Effects and Interactions: Possible nausea, drowsiness, insomnia, sexual side effects; adverse effects including increased suicide risk (especially in young adults), bleeding, hyponatremia, bone fractures; serotonin syndrome is a life-threatening adverse effect. Avoid St. John's wort with SSRIs and SNRIs.

Nursing Implications and Patient Teaching - Antidepressants

Assessment: Thorough evaluation of mental health, suicide risk, current medications (especially herbal and OTC).
Planning and Implementation: Safe environment, ongoing monitoring for effectiveness and side effects, patient education on medication use, avoiding drug interactions (including St. John's Wort).
Evaluation: Monitoring for effectiveness, side effects, continuing mental health assessment.
Patient and Family Teaching: Importance of medication adherence, potential side effects, need for gradual dose adjustments and non-sudden discontinuations, reporting unusual behaviors.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key terms related to mental health medications. This quiz covers various drug classifications, including anxiolytics, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. Understand their functions and implications in treating mental health disorders.