30 November Flashcards
How long does a Level 1 ITO last?
7 Days
How long does a Level 2 ITO last?
6 Weeks
How long does a Level 3 ITO last?
A year
Why do patients fast for ECT?
Because they are given a general anaesthetic for ECT
What may be an issue with a patient taking a large number of medications for ECT?
They may need a significant amount of water to swallow the medication, which may increase the risk of aspiration from intubation.
How are antidepressants used around ECT?
Antidepressants are usually delayed until post ECT because there is no pressing need to take them.
What is a consideration with antipsychotics with ECT?
All antipsychotics reduce the seizure threshold to some extent.
What is a consideration around lamotrigine in ECT?
If lamotrigine is held for greater than 48 hours it must be restarted at 12.5 mg daily regardless of the indication due to the risk of SJS/TENS.
Describe the risk of serotonin syndrome with mirtazapine
Although there is a theoretical risk of serotonin syndrome with mirtazapine, there have been no reported cases.
Can mirtazapine be used in combination with an SSRI or SNRI?
Yes
Which two antipsychotics depot has the lowest risk of EPSEs?
- Olanzapine (least likely)
- ARIPiprazole
Should assaults on mental health wards be reported to police?
Yes
Why must you reinitiate clozapine from 25 mg if a patient misses over 48 hours of doses?
Patients lose tolerance to clozapine so restarting at the same dose can cause a cardiac arrest.
What is thrombophlebitis?
Thrombophlebitis is an inflammatory process that causes a blood clot to form and block one or more veins, usually in the legs.
What is euthymia?
In simple terms, euthymia is the state of living without mood disturbances. It’s commonly associated with bipolar disorder. While in a euthymic state, one typically experiences feelings of cheerfulness and tranquility. A person in this state may also display an increased level of resiliency to stress.
