General Exam Practice Flashcards
What are 6 words that contribute to stigmatisation of schizophrenia?
Crazy, dangerous, schizo, stupid, psycho, and unpredictable
What are some aspects of life than can be affected by discrimination?
Social, relationships, employment, education, spork, inclusion, community, houring, physical health, self-perception/esteem, and coping skills
What are some strategies that a nurse can do to reduce stigma?
Use of language, health promotion, focus on strengths no defictsm education, positive regard, respect, and hope
“I am jesus, and I am a milionare” is an example of what?
Grandiose beliefs
What are 5 sensory experiences that can be associated with hallucinations?
Audiotry (hearing voices), visual (seeing things), olfactory (smelling things), tactile (feeling things), gustatory (tasting things)
The newsreader on the TV is talking about me is an example of what?
Ideas of reference
What are 3 negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia?
affective blunting, poverty of ideas, anhedonia
What is the mortality rate of neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
20-30%
If a patient presents with symptoms of Neuro leptic malignant syndrome what is the first thing you do?
Contact a medical practitioner
What are the major side effects associated with atypical antipsychotic medications?
Sedation, weight gain, metabolic syndrom (diabetes), and gastrointestinal upset.
What is the main neurotransmitter target for atypical medication?
Dopamine
Name a few depot antipsychotic medications
Flupenthixol, olanzapine, risperidone, aripiprazole
What are 3 good reasons why someone would stop taking their medication?
Due to side effects, stigma, remembering ect
What tests/investigations need to be conducted regularly for people prescribed with clozapine and why?
Blood tests, blood pressure, ECGs, and bowel monitoring - due to agranulocytosis, postural hypotension, QT prolongation interval, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, and constipation.
What is agranulocytosis?
A serious condition that occurs when there is an extremely low number of granulocytes (a type of white blood cell) in the blood. Granulocytes are an important part of the immune system and help the body fight infection.
Why is it important to ask about mood?
Many people who develop schizophrenia have a co-morbid mood disorder. Psychosis may be present in mania or depression.
What questions would I ask regarding perception?
Do you hear any voices other than mine right now or at any other time. And Do you ever hear or see things that you think other people may not be seeing
Ive been playing with the devil and he cheated me would be assessed under what?
Thought content
Why is it important to know how long symptoms of psychosis have been present?
Psychosis can occur at any time and be of a short duration (at least 1 day but less than a month) symptoms that are present for a significant portion of time may indicate a different diagnosis
What are the immediate signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
Tachycardia (heart rate thats too fast) and pyrexia (fever).
The biological theory of schizophrenia suggests an excess of what neurotransmitter?
Dopamine
The diathesis stress theory suggests that - ?what? - contributes to the development of schizophrenia.
Exposure to stressful events and vulnerability
What is the difference between psychosis and schizophrenia?
Psychosis is a term describing a set of symptoms and can be linked to many things whereas schizophrenia is a specific diagnosis where specific psychotic, thought disorder, delusions, and hallucination symptoms occur for at least 1 month of more.
Can schizophrenia run in families?
This is inconclusive. The theory is that there is a genetic vulnerability and that a person can inherit a risk that may be enhanced by the presence of other factors (Environment, stress, attachment, and trauma ect).
What are some things that are commonly present with schizophrenia (comorbidity)?
Drugs, alcohol, anxiety, mood disorder, hopelessness, poor self-esteem, social isolation
Richard is a withdrawn client with paranoid schizophrenia who has been admitted to an acute unit. His medical notes state that he has a flattened affect. From this the nurse can expect to see evidence of?
Innapropriate emotional responses
Richard repeatedly asks for directions and the day/date. The nurse should do what?
Repeat the information in a kind, respectful manner
The nurse observes richard sitting alone in his room with his hands over his ears, shaking his head as though saying ‘no’. He is most likely ?
Seeking attention of staff
The referral note states “Displays positive symptoms of schizophrenia as evidence by formal thought disorder” What kind of symptoms would these be?
Delusions and hallucinations
A patient wants to know more about a medication, how do we educate on this?
Identify some frequently used “type” of medications: Such as identify 3 antipsychotic medications, list the commonly experiences side effects of this medication, and outline any additional information you would provide for this patient alongside the medication
What are the 5 main classes of drugs?
Hypnotics/anxiolytics, Antipsychotics, Antidepressants, Mood stabilisers, and stimulants
Give a brief description for Hypnotics/anxiolytics
Hypnotics - Insomnia
Anxiolytics - Anxiety disorders and OCD
Most common are benzodiazepines. These drugs should be reserved to short courses as dependance and tolerance can occur.
Both hypnotics and anxiolytics work by enhancing the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that inhibits electrical activity in the brain.
What are the 3 main anxiolytics?
Benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and buspirone
What are the pros and cons of benzodiazepines?
They can act within minutes although they are highly activity and hard to come odd.
What are benzodiazepines given for?
Anxiety, seizures, and also alcohol withdrawl
What is the mechanism of action for benzodiazepines?
It increases GABA (grandma) with decreases cell activity. Hence, sedation.
What are the side affects of Benzodiazepines?
It brings everything low! Low BP, low resp, sedation
What are some things to tell the patient if they are on benzodiazepines?
Take at bedtime, and do not skip doses. Always taper off, never abruptly stop, No alcohol or drug use, no operating machinery.
What are the pros and cons of barbituates?
They last longer in the body, although they take longer to get out of the body hence have the potential to cause toxicity and respiratory depression.
What are the pros and cons of buspirone?
There are no depressant effects i.e no sedation, they take a long time to kick in. NO WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS.
Give a brief description of antipsychotics
These medications are used to treat disorders such as schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, or very severe depression. They include: Quetiapine, Clozapine, Olanzapine, Risperidone, Aripiriprazole, Ziprasidone, and amisulpride. They work by affecting dopamine receptors in the brain i.e calming the dopamine receptors.
What type of medications would you most likely see neuroleptic malignant syndrome arise from?
Typical antipsychotics such as haloperidol
What are the key signs for NMS
High fever, sweating, change in mental status, muscle rigidity, and tremors
What are some common side effects of atypical antipsychotic medications?
Weight gain, hypersalivation, and sedation (improves with tolerance).