background knowledge that will help your response

Question 1

what does a complete blood count show?

Answer 1

anemia or infection, both can lead to fatigue

Question 2

what does thyroid function panel test show

Answer 2

the level of hormones produced by the thyroid gland- as an under or overactive thyroid can impact mood

Question 3

what does creatinine and blood urea nitrogen test show

Answer 3

refelcts how well the kidneys are working, as kidney disease can cause symptoms similar to depression. its also important to know how well the kidneys are working in terms of drug metabolism

Question 4

what does a liver function test show

Answer 4

reflects if the liver is damaged - liver disease can cause symptoms similar to depression. it can also indicate alcoholism. its important to know how well it is working in terms of drug metabolism.

Question 5

what does a fasting blood glucose test show

Answer 5

tests for diabetes. diabetes and depression often occur together

Question 6

what does a cholesterol test show

Answer 6

cholesterol level can impact the absorption of antidepressants. its also a good indicator of overall health

Question 7

what does calcium and magnesium tests show?

Answer 7

too high or low levels of both. its rare but can cause mental illness

Question 8

what does folate and vitamin B12 levels show?

Answer 8

low levels of either can cause lethargy and fatigue

Question 9

give me some common antidepressants

Answer 9

amitriptyline, citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, mirtazapine, sertraline, venlafaxine, vortioxetine

Question 10

what MH illnesses are antidepressants commonly used for?

Answer 10

Depression, anxiety, OCD (behaviours outside of their personality is major trait), sleep, PTSD, akathesia (restlessness people get on antipsychotics)

Question 11

give me some common antipsychotics

Answer 11

aripiprazole, amisulpride, clozapine, flupentixiol, haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone

Question 12

what indication are antipsychotics used for

Answer 12

Psychosis, schizophrenia, Bipolar affective disorder, depression, anxiety, agitation, sleep

Question 13

give me some common benxodiazepines

Answer 13

clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, nitrazepam, temazepam

Question 14

what are benzodiazepines commonly used for

Answer 14

Agitation, anxiety, sleep, rapid tranquilisation, (seizures)

Question 15

give me some common mood stabilisers

Answer 15

carbamazepine, lamotrigine, lithium, valproate

Question 16

what are mood stabilisers used for

Answer 16

BPAD, depression, (seizures)

Question 17

on first episode of BPAD, what drug type is used and why

Answer 17

coz mood stabilisers are such a long commitment, a second generation antipsychotic and/or a benzo on a first episode of BAD. not first gen though coz they only treat psychosis and ty can cause depression.

Question 18

why is olanzapine a beneficial PRN instead or lorazepam sometimes?

Answer 18

olanzapine can be good to use instead of lorazepam if you want it to act for a longer amount of time. it also aids with weight gain, which is good in certain patients. it allows them to wake up less distressed.

Question 19

what are some important things to remember when you set a level of observation for a patient?

Answer 19

maintain safety but limit extent of restriction. consider safe staffing levels and characteristics of staff if its a 1:1 coz you want to prevent triggering.

Question 20

important aspects of reducing vulnerability for a patient

Answer 20

ensure they are properly dressed and in a safe theraputic environemtn

Question 21

give me some physical test that will reduce ambiguity of what is going wrong for a patient?

Answer 21

• full set of bloods
• urine sample
• ECG
• physical baselines and NEWS2 scores

Question 22

what test do you do to for anemia or infection and why test?

Answer 22

complete blood count - anemia and infection can cause fatugue

Question 23

what test do you do to see the level of hormones produced by the thyroid, why do it?

Answer 23

thyroid function panel test - an over or underactive thyroid can affect health

Question 24

what test do you do to see kidney function, why do it?

Answer 24

creatinine and blood urea nitrogen test - kidney disease can cause similar symptoms to depression. is also good to know in terms of drug metabolism.

Question 25

how do you test for how well the liver is functioning, and why do it?

Answer 25

liver function test - poor liver functioing can cause symptoms similar to depression. also good t0 know in terms of drug metabolism

Question 26

what test do you do for diabetes and why?

Answer 26

fasting blood glucose coz diabetes and depression commonly co-occur

Question 27

what test do you do for cholesterol and why?

Answer 27

cholesterol test - because cholesterol level can impact absorption of antidepressants and can indicate overall health

Question 28

REMEMBER: setting expectations about what’s going on provides a sense of security. also, building a report and speaking about their triggers and how they will communicate distress is helpful via a traffic light system for mood.

Answer 28

setting expectations about what’s going on provides a sense of security. also, building a report and speaking about their triggers and how they will communicate distress is helpful via a traffic light system for mood.

Question 29

REMEMBER

Answer 29

setting expectations about what’s going on provides a sense of security. also, building a report and speaking about their triggers and how they will communicate distress is helpful via a traffic light system for mood.