Physiology (Psychopharmacology)

Question 1

Several terms are used to describe the effects of the psychoactive drugs: For example, _____ produce effects similar to those produced by a neurotransmitter, while _____ produce no activity on their own but reduce or block the effects of a neurotransmitter

Answer 1

agonists; antagonists

Question 2

Because of the increased risk for adverse side effects, a general rules when prescribing for older adults and members of ethnic minority groups is to ______

Answer 2

start low and go slow

Question 3

The traditional antipsychotic drugs are used primarily as a treatment for _____ and are especially effective for alleviating _____ symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations

Answer 3

schizophrenia; positive

Question 4

Research on the effects of the traditional antipsychotic drugs provides support for the dopamine hypothesis, which attributes schizophrenia to ______ to dopamine or excessive dopamine levels

Answer 4

oversensitivity

Question 5

traditional antipsychotic drugs are associated with several undesirable side-effects including ______ effects (e.g. dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision) and extrapyramidal symptoms

Answer 5

anticholinergic

Question 6

of extrapyramidal symptoms, _____ is the most serious side-effect but its symptoms may eventually decrease is the drug is _______

Answer 6

tardive dyskinesia; gradually withdrawn

Question 7

Neuroleptic ____ is characterized by a rapid onset of muscle rigidity, tachycardia, hyperthermia, and altered consciousness

Answer 7

malignant syndrome

Question 8

The atypical antipsychotic drugs (e.g., clozapine) are associated with several advantages. They alleviate both the _____ symptoms of schizophrenia and are often effective when traditional drugs have failed

Answer 8

positive and negative

Question 9

atypical antipsychotics are less likely to produce ____ and other extrapyramidal side effects (except akathisia). However, they can cause _____ or other blood dyscrasias

Answer 9

tardive dyskinesia; agranulocytosis

Question 10

The antidepressants include the TCAs, SSRIs, and MAOIs. The TCAs exert their effects by blocking the reuptake of _____, serotonin, and/or dopamine. Their effects on the former support the ______ hypothesis

Answer 10

norepinephrine; catecholamine

Question 11

Undesirable side-effects of TCAs include _____ effects (blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation), weight gain, drowsiness, and confusion

Answer 11

anticholinergic

Question 12

TCAs are also _____ and can cause hypertension, extreme hypotension, and tachycardia

Answer 12

cardiotoxic

Question 13

The SSRIs are particularly effective for ____ depression

Answer 13

melancholic;

Question 14

SSRIs are less cardiotoxic than the TCAs, are safer in _____ and are less likely to produce ____ impairments

Answer 14

overdose; cognitive

Question 15

The SSRIs exert their effects by blocking the reuptake of ______

Answer 15

serotonin

Question 16

The MAOIs are most effective for _____ depressions

Answer 16

non-endogenous and atypical

Question 17

The most dangerous side-effect of MAOIs is hypertensive crisis, which can occur when an MAOI is taken in conjunction with certain drugs or food containing ______

Answer 17

Tryamine

Question 18

Lithium is the drug-treatment-of-choice for “classic” _______

Answer 18

Bipolar Disorder

Question 19

To avoid toxicity when taking lithium, patients must be careful to avoid fluctuations in their _____ intake and to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and other diuretics

Answer 19

salt (sodium)

Question 20

Carbamazepine is an _____ drug that has been found to have similar effects on manic symptoms as lithium and may be more beneficial than lithium for people who experience ____ or who have dysphoric mania

Answer 20

anticonvulsant; frequent mood swings

Question 21

The sedative-hypnotics are generalized _____ depressants and include the barbiturates and anxiolytics

Answer 21

CNS

Question 22

The effects of the sedative-hypnotics are synergistic, and they also produce cross-_____

Answer 22

tolerance

Question 23

The barbiturates are now rarely prescribed because of their adverse effects. Their use causes a decrease in REM sleep, and abrupt cessation can produce an REM ____ and nightmares

Answer 23

rebound

Question 24

The benzodiazepines are the most commonly-prescribed anxiolytic. They are associated with severe adverse side effects including drowsiness, lethargy, slurred speech, and _____ (lack of muscle coordination)

Answer 24

ataxia

Question 25

The euphoric feelings produced by the benzodiazepines results in psychological dependence, and chronic use can result in the development of ____ and physical dependence

Answer 25

tolerance

Question 26

Withdrawal of benzodiazepines can produce rebound

Answer 26

hyperexcitability

Question 27

Propranolol and other beta-blockers are used to treat cardiovascular disease, tremor, and migraine headache and have been useful for reducing the ______ symptoms of anxiety

Answer 27

physical

Question 28

Propranolol and other beta blockers should not be discontinued ____ because doing so can cause sweating, headache, tremulousness, and cardiac arrhythmia

Answer 28

abruptly

Question 29

The narcotic-analgesics have both sedative and analgesic effects. Research on the effects of these drugs led to the discovery of natural _____ receptors in the spinal cord and brain

Answer 29

opioid

Question 30

Chronic use of narcotic-analgesics results in tolerance and _____ dependence

Answer 30

psychological and physcial

Question 31

Amphetamines are currently used to treat ______ and ADHD, while methylphenidate is used to treat the latter disorder

Answer 31

narcolepsy

Question 32

Common side-effects of methylphenidate include decreased ______, insomnia, and dysphoria

Answer 32

appetite

Question 33

Higher doses of methylphenidate may cause ____ suppression, but occasional _____ can help minimize this effect

Answer 33

growth; drug holidays

Question 34

methylphenidate is contraindicated for people with pre-existing motor tics or a family history of _______

Answer 34

Tourette’s Disorder

Question 35

Disulfiram and naltrexone are both used to prevent alcohol use. Disulfiram does so by causing ____ that deter the individual from drinking, while naltrexone blocks the _____ and reinforcing effects of alcohol

Answer 35

unpleasant reactions (symptoms); craving for

Question 36

PCTs are conducted to determine the effectiveness of interventions in typical _____

Answer 36

community settings

Question 37

PCTs tend to be large, _____ trials with hundreds, if not thousands of participants

Answer 37

simple

Question 38

TDM is used in clinical practice to optimize medication regimens by maintaining a specific ____ level in the bloodstream

Answer 38

concentration

Question 39

Three main types of genetic screening techniques are utilized to identify any abnormalities in chromosome structure, protein sequences, or DNA structure: cytogenetic, biochemical, and ______

Answer 39

molecular

Question 40

A 72-year-old man is prescribed lithium for Bipolar Disorder. In terms of side effects, the man can most likely expect which of the following?

Answer 40

fine hand tremor

Question 41

A(n) __________ does not produce a response on its own but interferes with or prevents the action of a neurotransmitter.

Answer 41

antagonist

Question 42

Drugs that block the activity of __________ produce dry mouth, blurred vision, postural hypotension, urinary retention, and tachycardia.

Answer 42

ACh

Question 43

In comparison to the tricyclics, fluoxetine and other SSRIs:

Answer 43

are less cardiotoxic

Question 44

The atypical neuroleptic clozapine (Clozaril):

Answer 44

has a slower (longer) onset of therapeutic effects than the traditional neuroleptics do.

Question 45

Therapeutic drug monitoring relies on measuring specific drugs to maintain a concentration in the patient’s bloodstream for what purpose?

Answer 45

Optimize dosage regimens