Antidepressants

Question 1

TCA’s info

Answer 1

1st antidepressant drug
Has buckshot properties
High risk of suicide

Question 2

MAOI’s info

Answer 2

inhibits a gut enzyme
Risk of hypertensive crisis
Derives from hydrazone
Inhibit monoamine oxidase A
Manic behavior is a side effect of MAOI's

Question 3

SSRI’s info

Answer 3

Causes serotonin syndrome
Also called “designer drug”
1st choice antidepression

Question 4

Which medications are atypical antidepressants?

Answer 4

Bupropion, Mirtazapine, Trazodone

these affect both noradrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmission

Question 5

A client has been prescribed a TCA for depression. She is also taking an oral anticoagulant for coronary artery disease. Which is a major risk for this client?

Answer 5

Bleeding

Administration of TCA’s with clonidine may lead to hypertension.

Question 6

A client is prescribed phenelzine sulfate, an MAOI-A. The nurse caring for this client is aware that the most serious risk associated with MAOI-A’s is?

Answer 6

Hypertensive crisis

Diarrhea, vertigo, and manic behavior are side effects of MAOI’s but are not as dangerous as HTN crisis.

Aged cheese, bananas, and avocados, contain significant amounts of tyramine, as do MAOI’s. Elevated levels of tyramine can lead to hypertensive crisis.

Question 7

The combined use of SSRI with which of the following is a risk factor for serotonin syndrome?

Answer 7

Concomitant use of SSRI’s with TCA’s, serotonergic agonists or St. John’s Wort can lead to serotonin syndrome.

Question 8

Antianxiety drugs such as diazepam and propranolol are prescribed if the client experiences

Answer 8

serotonin syndrome

Question 9

Effects of abrupt discontinuation of an SSRI

Answer 9

Electrical surges in the head or body
Feelings of being on the verge of losing consciousness
Short term memory loss