Final Exam Student Questions Flashcards
Which of the following is true regarding the development of depression?
A. A family history of Major Depressive Disorder does not affect an individual’s risk for experiencing depression.
B. Most people who suffer from depression suffer from one single episode.
C. Depression develops as a result of a multifactorial interplay of genetics, environment, physiologic, social, and biochemical factors.
D. Depression appears the same in all individuals diagnosed.
Answer and rationale: C. The development of depression occurs as a result of the complex interactions between many different factors, including genes, environment, biochemical interactions, social factors and physiologic factors. A is incorrect because a family history does affect, and increase, and individual’s risk for experiencing depression. B is incorrect because most people who suffer from depression have repeated episodes. D is incorrect because depression presents differently with different signs, symptoms, and patterns in different individuals.
- Which hormone is most involved in the pathophysiology of Major Depressive Disorder?
A. Thyroid hormone B. Estrogen C. Growth hormone D. Dopamine
Answer and rationale: D. Dopamine is the hormone most involved in the pathophysiology of depression,
and it is targeted in many of the drug formulations used to manage symptoms in patients that are diagnosed. A, B, and C are incorrect because they are hormones not involved in the pathophysiology of MDD.
- During drug therapy for Major Depressive Disorder it is important to maintain regular contact with the patient during which of the following phases:
A. Acute treatment phase B. Continuation phase C. Maintenance phase D. All of the above
Answer and rationale: D. All of the above: Antidepressant therapy consists of 3 major phases: acute, continuation, and maintenance. Typically, patients should maintain contact with practitioners during all 3 phases of drug therapy. The practitioner should continue to monitor efficacy, side effects, and adherence.
- How long should practitioners recommend antidepressant therapy for a first episode of depression?
A. Only until symptoms resolve B. Indefinitely C. 4 to 6 months after symptom resolution D. PRN for symptoms
Answer: (C) Rationale: The practitioner should continue antidepressant therapy 4-6 months after symptom resolution. Failure to continue medication beyond symptom resolution confers an increased risk of relapse.
- MAOIs should not be prescribed with SSRIs or SNRIs because of what potential complication?
A- Hyperpyretic crisis B- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome C- Serotonin Syndrome D- Myocardial Infarction
Answer: (C) Rationale: The combination of MAOIs and SSRIs cause there to be to much serotonin
released or to remain in the central nervous systems, causing a adverse reaction. The most likely cause of serotonin syndrome is usually when two medications that affect the body’s level of serotonin are taken concurrently. A,B and D are all incorrect, as they are not potential complications associated with prescribing MAOIs with SSRIs or SNRIs
- Which one of these is not a type of depression?
A. Postpartum depression B. Seasonal affective disorder. C. Major depression with melancholic features. D. Insomnia
Answer: D. Insomnia. Rational: Insomnia is a problem falling asleep at anytime
A. Is a type of depression that usually happens after child birth
B. Associated with a pattern of depressed or manic episodes that occur with the onset of winter. C. It is characterized by profoundly depressed mood, nonractivity, and neurovegetative symptoms.
Patient has been receiving an antipsychotic medication called Haloperidol (haldol). On day 3 of treatment, the patient started having symptoms of shifting weight from foot to foot, walking in spot and inability to keep legs still. What acute condition is patient experiencing?
A. Agitation B. Tardive Dyskinesia C. Perioral MovementsD. Akathisia
D. Akathisa because this is an acute condition after receiving antipsychotic medication that can happen and can show signs of to much medication in patients system possibly related to an imbalance between the dopaminergic/cholinergic and dopaminergic/serotonergic system.B,C. Are Tardive responses from adverse effects that can happen with antipsychotic medications. A. Agitation can be commonly confused with Akathisia and increased doses of antipsychotics will make these symptoms worse.
A patient has been receiving antipsychotic’s for 5 days now. The patient started experiencing Acute dystonia. Signs/symptoms of this condition is?
A. chest tightness, tachycardia, sweating, worrying B. pin rolling of fingers, loss of swing in arms while ambulating
C. Difficulty swallowing, speakingD. painful movements, face, neck, back, tongue.
Ans Rationale
A. is s/s of anxiety. B. is s/s of parkinsonism C. is s/s of tardive dyskinesia
D. results lead to dominant mechanism resulting in acute dystonic reactions is thought to be nigrostriatal dopamine D2 receptor blockade, which leads to an
excess of striatal cholinergic output.
You are the nurse practitioner caring for a patient with major depressive disorder. Your patient’s symptoms have improved on the 20 mg daily dose of Celexa (SSRI) but when you are conducting your 6 month follow up visit, you learn the patient had seen an additional provider and been prescribed Nardil (MAO inhibitor) and the patient has been taking this medication in addition to the SSRI. The patient is now complaining of symptoms consistent with Serotonin Syndrome. All of the following are present in Serotonin Syndrome EXCEPT:
A. Heat stroke B. Fever
C. Increased creatinine
D. Tachycardia
A, B, and D are signs and symptoms of the life threatening syndrome in which interactions of
SSRIs and MAO inhibitors leads to sudden increase in systemic serotonin.
- The NP recognizes that the patient is experiencing Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome if
A. The patient has involuntary buccolingual movements B. The patient has a temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, bradycardia and warm, dry skin C. The patient has a temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit, muscular rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic dysfunction D. The patient has a shuffling gait and exhibits pill rolling and cog wheeling motions
C is correct, a patient with Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome exhibits fever up to 107 degrees Fahrenheit, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic dysfunction. A is incorrect, the patient has tardive dyskinesia. B is incorrect, the patient with Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome is expected to have high fever, tachycardia and diaphoresis. D is incorrect, the patient is exhibiting parkinsonism.
In a teenage patient diagnosed with ADHD with no significant medical history (unremarkable pulmonary and cardiac history and no other mental health diagnoses). In addition to referral to CBT, in which order would you try medication therapy if the patient was not responding to the treatment?
A. First try a stimulant therapy, if no response, try a non-stimulant therapy B. First try a non-stimulant therapy, if no response, try a stimulant and immediately
refer to a mental health specialist
C. First try a stimulant therapy, if no response, try dose increase, if no response, try a
different stimulant therapy, if no response, refer to a mental health specialist
D. First try a non-stimulant therapy, if no response, try dose increase, if no response, try a
stimulant therapy, if no response, refer to a mental health specialist
A. Incorrect. A dose increase of the first stimulant should be trialed if the patient does
not experience symptoms with the first intervention. B. Incorrect. A stimulant medication should be tried as first line therapy. Correct answer: C. According to video by Professor Alice Teall the correct order of
treatment for ADHD in the primary care setting is stimulant therapy→ dose increase of first stimulant therapy→ different stimulant therapy→ refer to mental health specialist.
D. Incorrect. A stimulant medication should be tried as first line therapy.
Which of the following drug classes would be considered a first line therapy for generalized
anxiety disorder?
A. SNRI B. MAOI C. Benzodiazepine D. Atypical antipsychotic
A. SSRI or SNRI are considered first line treatments for GAD in adults
according to Uptodate.
B. MAOI have been found to be effective in the treatment of panic disorders; their effectiveness in treatment of GAD has not been explored. (Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur, & Reinhold, 2017) C. According to Uptodate, Benzodiazepines should only be used in treatment resistant or partial treatment resistant GAD. D. Atypical antipsychotics are not indicated in the treatment of GAD
Which of the following is not part of the clinical features of the movement pattern in tardive
dyskinesia?
A. Repetitive movementsB. Stereotyped movementsC. Abnormal movementD. Painful movements
Answer is D. Painful movements
Rationale: Tardive dyskinesia is a neurological syndrome characterized by repetitive, involuntary, purposeless movements caused by the long-term use of certain drugs. Features may include grimacing; tongue protrusion; lip smacking, puckering, and pursing; and rapid eye blinking. Rapid movements of the arms, legs, and trunk may also
occur. Painful movement is not its feature. Ref: medicinenet.com
Antipsychotics are FDA approved for the use of treating behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms with the following conditions EXCEPT
A. SchizophreniaB. Alzheimer’s diseaseC. Major depressive disorderD. Bipolar disorder
B. Alzheimer’s disease
Rationale: Antipsychotics are not specifically FDA approved for Alzheimer’s and dementia, but they are often widely used for treating patient’s behavioral and
neuropsychiatric symptoms in long term care facilities. Antipsychotics are approved for use with schizophrenia, MDD, and bipolar disorder.
Use of antipsychotics increase risks for falls due to
A. Extrapyramidal side effectsB. Orthostatic hypotensionC. SedationD. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Antipsychotics increase risks for falls due to sedation, cardiovascular effects that cause orthostatic hypotension, and extrapyramidal side effects, such as tardive
dyskinesia, dystonia and tremors.Ref: Textbook, page 80
Due to the increased risk for agranulocytosis, which antipsychotic is considered a last resort
in treatment resistant schizophrenia?
A. Risperidone B. Quietiapine C. Clozapine D. Aripiprazole
Answer: C
Rationale: Clozapine is often considered to be the most effective atypical antipsychotic, but is reserved for resistant cases only due to this potentially fatal ADE. Close blood monitoring is required when a patient is on this drug.
A client is about to be discharged with a prescription for the antipsychotic agent haloperidol (Haldol), 10 mg by mouth twice per day. During a discharge teaching session, the nurse should
provide which instruction to the client?
A) Take the medication 1 hour before a meal.B) Decrease the dosage if signs of illness decrease C) Apply a sunscreen before being exposed to the sun.D) Increase the dosage up to 50 mg twice per day if signs of illness don’t decrease.
C) Apply a sunscreen before being exposed to the sun.
Because haloperidol can cause photosensitivity and precipitate severe sunburn, the nurse should instruct the client to apply a sunscreen before exposure to the sun. The nurse also should teach the client to take haloperidol with meals — not 1 hour before — and should instruct the client not to decrease or increase the dosage unless the physician orders it.Ref: Medscape
Choose the option that covers the clinical signs and symptoms of neuroleptic malignant
syndrome:
A. Hypothermia, dystonia, mental status changes, acute renal failureB. Hyperthermia, rigidity, mental status changes, acute renal failureC. Hypothermia, akathesia, elevated pulse, diaphoresis, renal failureD. Hyperthermia, tardive dyskinesia, diaphoresis, mental status changes
Answer is B. Hyperthermia, rigidity, mental status changes, acute renal failure
Rationale: Cardinal features of NMS are severe muscular rigidity; hyperthermia (temperature >38°C); autonomic instability and changes in the level of consciousness. It also includes elevated pulse, diaphoresis and acute renal failure. Akathesia, Dystonia, or tardive dyskinesia
are features of EPS.
Which is NOT a mechanism of action of antidepressant agents?
a. Inhibits the breakdown of catecholamine’s which increases catecholamines in
synapse. b. Stimulates the post-synaptic receptors. c. Inhibits the re-uptake of catecholamine’s by the pre-synaptic neurons.
d. Potentiate the action of GABA and depress CNS functioning.
Explanation: “A” is a MOA of antidepressants because MOAIs inhibit the breakdown of catecholamine. “B” is a MOA of antidepressants because some novel drugs stimulate the post-synaptic receptors. “C” is a MOA of antidepressants because
SSRIs, SNRIs and other anti-depressant agents inhibit the re-uptake of
catecholamines. “D” is the “correct” answer (NOT a MOA) because benzodiazepines
potentiate the action of GABA and are NOT used to treat depression.
Nancy is a 19 year old being treated with SSRI for major depressive disorder. What is a
sign that require immediate intervention by the clinician?
a. Nancy reports an improved mood. b. Nancy reports that the medication is making her restless and she is having trouble
sleeping.
c. Nancy reports that she has started giving away her possessions.
d. Nancy reports nausea and GI disturbances.
Explanation: “A” is a positive therapeutic effect of SSRIs. “B” and “D” are negative side effects of SSRI and medication may need to be re-evaluated. “C” is a warning sign of suicidal ideation the “best” answer for this question because it requires immediate intervention.
Brittany is a 30 year old woman diagnosed with major depressive disorder and is started on an SSRI. Which of the following is not an important fact for the clinician to teach the
patient:
a. With the SSRI’s there is a possibility of sexual dysfunction. b. If you begin experiencing signs of serotonin syndrome (fever, tachycardia, profuse sweating, tremors) you should seek medical help right away.
c. You should expect to feel less depressed within a day or two.
d. You should return to the office in 2-4 weeks so we can discuss effectiveness of treatment.
Explanation: “C” is the correct answer, as it is not true and should not be taught to patients. SSRIs may take 4 weeks, even up to 12 weeks to take full therapeutic effect. “A” is true, as sexual dysfunction is a commonly reported side effect of SSRIs. “B” is also an important teaching point. Serotonin syndrome is a rare, but life threatening reaction to SSRIs, and the patient should know to seek help right away with these symptoms. “D” is true, as the patient should expect to follow up to make sure therapy is effective and to discuss any side effects that may cause the patient to want to stop treatment. Adjustments to treatment should be made instead.
According to the Texas Mediation Algorithm what is stage 2 therapy for the treatment of depression?
a. ECT b. Alternate monotherapy SSRI, bupropion, nefazodone, TCA, venlafaxine, MAOI drug,
or combination antidepressant: TCA+ SSRI.
c. Alternate monotherapy SSRI, bupropion, nefazodone, TCA, or venlafaxine.
d. Other
Explanation: The correct answer is (C). The recommended treatment for depression according to the Texas Medication algorithm states that stage 2 therapy should be an alternate to the initial monotherapy if the initial treatment does not warrant a beneficial response. Answer (A) is stage 4 treatment if other options have been exhausted with no positive results. Answer (B) is stage 3 treatment per the algorithm and answer (D) is the final stage (stage 5) when all other options have been exhausted with no benefit to the patient.
Matthew is a 17-year-old high school student who was recently seen in the clinic for feelings of depression. He was brought in by his mother, who noted recent changes in his mood, insomnia, weight loss, difficulty concentrating in school with slipping grades, and overall anhedonia. Matthew told his mom two weeks ago he wanted to quit basketball, a sport he has play his he was five. During his visit, Matthew told the PCP he had been having thoughts of suicide. To ensure Matthew’s safety, his mother was made aware and referrals were made to psychiatry. Matthew has been getting counseling for 2 weeks, and was started on an SSRI 7 days ago. Which finding below is most concerning and requires immediate intervention from Matthew’s mom?
a. Matthew states his mood is “not really better” and still has difficulty concentrating
and intervals of irritability. b. Matthew complains of feeling drowsy at school the first few days after taking the medication. c. Matthew becomes agitated easily, especially when friends or family ask him why he wants to quit basketball.
d. Matthew’s mother notes around day 7 of his medication therapy that Matthew
has more energy, seems less fatigued, and is cleaning his room, even though his mood and depressed affect do not seem improved.
Explanation: Answer (A) is incorrect because the typical onset of SSRIs is between 1-4 weeks, so effects of the medication are not likely to be seen on day 7 of the medication therapy. Answer (B) is incorrect because drowsiness is an expected and common side effect associated with SSRIs; for Matthew, the PCP could suggest he take his dose at bedtime, allowing for the drowsiness to take effect during the HS period and hopefully, improving his previous complaints of insomnia. Answer (C) is incorrect because although agitated behavior can be a warning sign of suicide,
agitation can also be a side effect associated with SSRIs. In Matthew’s case, he
becomes agitated specifically when asked about quitting the basketball team, a sport he used to find pleasure playing. With his previous thoughts of suicide, he may be
quitting basketball to end ties with outstanding groups. Answer (D) is the “correct”
answer. With both SSRIs and SNRIs, patients may see an early improvement in symptoms of fatigue and find more energy to get up and act without an improvement in mood or depression due to the 1-4-week onset/full medication effect. With someone who is or has had suicidal thoughts of may have a plan, he or she is at high risk of acting on suicidal thoughts due to a depressive mood but an increase in energy to act.
Sally was recently started on an MOAI for major depressive disorder. Which of the following is an important teaching point to include with this class of drugs?
a. MAOIs often cause a benign rash b. Sally should come back to the office is she does not experience relief of symptoms within 7 days c. foods such as aged cheese, tap beer, and yogurt should be avoided when taking MAOI’s
d. MAOIs can be discontinued at any time without risk for side effects
Explanation: Correct answer is C–when taken in combination with foods that contain high levels of tyramine, MAOIs can cause hypertensive crisis. Choice A is incorrect because a benign rash is not a common side effect of MAOIs. Choice B is incorrect because it may take up to 4 weeks before Sally experiences relief of symptoms. Choice D is incorrect; Sally should be counseled on the risk of withdrawal symptoms when abruptly discontinuing anti-depressants such as MAOIs.