Psychiatry - Pharmacotherapy Flashcards
PSY - 5.1
Indications for anxiolytics include:
1) Generalized anxiety disorder
2) Panic disorder
3) Agoraphobia
4) Anxiety in depression
5) Autism
6) Agitation related to psychosis
7) Schizophrenia
A) only the 1st, 2nd and 3rd answers are correct
B) only the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th answers are correct
C) only the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th answers are correct
D) only the1st, 4th, 6th and 7th answers are correct
E) all of the answers are correct
ANSWER
B) only the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th answers are correct
EXPLANATION
Benzodiazepines are regularly used in the treatment of anxiety disorders and anxiety symptoms and/or agitation related to other mental disorders. They are not indicated for the treatment of the primary symptoms of autism or schizophrenia.
PSY - 5.3
Pharmacological agents not recommended for the long-term treatment of anxiety:
1) Antipsychotics
2) Barbiturates
3) Beta blockers
4) Partial agonists of 5-HT1A receptors
5) High-potency benzodiazepines
6) Dual-action antidepressants
7) SSRI antidepressants
A) only the 1st, 2nd and 3rd answers are correct
B) only the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th answers are correct
C) only the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th answers are correct
D) only the1st, 4th, 6th and 7th answers are correct
E) all of the answers are correct
ANSWER
A) only the 1st, 2nd and 3rd answers are correct
EXPLANATION
Antipsychotics have no specific anxiolytic effect. Barbiturates are out of use due to their hepatotoxic effect and high abuse potential. Beta blockers have indication only for the treatment of occasional social phobia.
PSY-5.4.1-5.4.5
Match the following characteristics with a benzodiazepine:
A) clonazepam
B) midazolam
C) both of the above
D) none of the above
PSY - 5.4.1 - its antagonist is flumazenil
PSY - 5.4.2 - its elimination half-life is app. 30-40 hours
PSY - 5.4.3 - high-potency benzodiazepine
PSY - 5.4.4 - indicated for the treatment of depression
PSY - 5.4.5 - indicated for the short-term treatment (max. 2 weeks) of severe insomnia
ANSWER
PSY - 5.4.1 - its antagonist is flumazenil - C)
PSY - 5.4.2 - its elimination half-life is app. 30-40 hours - A)
PSY - 5.4.3 - high-potency benzodiazepine - A)
PSY - 5.4.4 - indicated for the treatment of depression - D)
PSY - 5.4.5 - indicated for the short-term treatment (max. 2 weeks) of severe insomnia - B)
PSY - 5.5
How is this clinical syndrome called?
A 35-year-old woman has been taking 0.5 mg alprazolam 3 times a day for her anxiety symptoms for 3 months. As she has recovered and fears that becomes dependent, stops taking medication. Then, anxiety symptoms come back in a more severe form and sleep disturbances occur.
A) Benzodiazepine withdrawal
B) Rebound phenomenon
C) Relapse
D) Panic disorder
ANSWER
B) Rebound phenomenon
EXPLANATION
The presence of anxiety symptoms more severe than the original symptoms refers to rebound phenomenon (and not to relapse) due to the sudden discontinuation of medication. Other symptoms referring to withdrawal (sweating, tremor, tachycardia) are not present.
PSY - 5.6
Which of the following treatment options would you use in this case?
A 35-year-old woman has been taking 0.5 mg alprazolam 3 times a day for her anxiety symptoms for 3 months. As she has recovered and fears that becomes dependent, stops taking medication. Then, anxiety symptoms come back in a more severe form and sleep disturbances occur.
1) Readministration of the original dose of alprazolam and then slow dose reduction (10-25% weekly).
2) Switch to another benzodiazepine with longer elimination half-life (e.g. clonazepam) and then slow dose reduction.
3) Psychoeducation and teaching of relaxing methods (e.g. autogenic training).
4) Readministration of alprazolam and initiation of an SSRI or dual-action antidepressant for the long-term treatment of anxiety disorder and then slow dose reduction and discontinuation of benzodiazepine.
A) only the 1st, 2nd and 3rd answers are correct
B) only the 1st and 3rd answers are correct
C) only the 2nd and 4th answers are correct
D) only the 4th answer is correct
E) all of the answers are correct
ANSWER
A) only the 1st, 2nd and 3rd answers are correct
EXPLANATION
As it is rebound phenomenon, the initiation of long-term treatment is not indicated. Rebound symptoms can be prevented with slower dose reduction or the administration of another agent with longer half-life. Relaxing methods can help to reduce the present symptoms. Psychoeducation can help the patient to know the effective use and the risks of sudden discontinuation of a medication.
PSY - 5.7
Which one of the following is not a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)?
A) fluoxetine
B) moclobemide
C) citalopram
D) sertraline
E) paroxetine
ANSWER
B) moclobemide
EXPLANATION
Moclobemide is a reversible monoaminoxidase inhibitor (RIMA or MAOI).
PSY - 5.8
Therapeutic blood concentration of lithium:
A) 0.1-0.2 mmol/l
B) 0.2-0.3 mmol/l
C) 0.5-1.0 mmol/l
D) 1.5-2.0 mmol/l
E) 2.0-3.0 mmol/l
ANSWER
C) 0.5-1.0 mmol/l
EXPLANATION
The therapeutic concentration of lithium is in the range of 0.5-1.0 mmol/l, below this level it is ineffective, and above this it is toxic.
PSY - 5.9
What is the main reason for monitoring patients’ lithium concentration?
A) to control patients’ adherence and compliance
B) the therapeutic range and toxic lithium levels are very close
C) lithium is excreted rapidly form the body
D) lithium is more of a salt, rather than a medication
E) none of the statements above
ANSWER
B) the therapeutic range and toxic lithium levels are very close
EXPLANATION
The regular monitoring of blood lithium concentration. is necessary because the therapeutic range and toxic concentrations are very close, higher than optimal doses or any type of dysfunction of the body fluid balance can lead to toxic lithium levels and serious adverse events.
PSY - 5.10
Toxic conditions caused by tricyclic antidepressants resemble this type of intoxication the most:
A) amphetamine intoxication
B) atropine intoxication
C) intoxication with barbiturates
D) barbiturate withdrawal syndrome
E) lithium intoxication
ANSWER
B) atropine intoxication
EXPLANATION
Due to the anticholinergic effects, intoxication caused by tricyclic antidepressants resembles atropine intoxication.
PSY - 5.11
Common side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI):
1) delirium
2) sexual dysfunction (late ejaculation, anorgasmia)
3) epileptic seizures
4) nausea
A) only the 1st, 2nd and 3rd answers are correct
B) only the 1st and 3rd answers are correct
C) only the 2nd and 4th answers are correct
D) only the 4th answer is correct
E) all of the answers are correct
ANSWER
C) only the 2nd and 4th answers are correct
EXPLANATION
delirium and epileptic seizures are very severe adverse events which don’t occur due to SSRI treatment. Sexual dysfunction and nausea are typical, less severe side effects.
PSY - 5.12
Mood stabilizers used for the treatment of bipolar disorder:
1) carbamazepine
2) valproic acid
3) lithium
4) lamotrigine
A) only the 1st, 2nd and 3rd answers are correct
B) only the 1st and 3rd answers are correct
C) only the 2nd and 4th answers are correct
D) only the 4th answer is correct
E) all of the answers are correct
ANSWER
E) all of the answers are correct
EXPLANATION
Both lithium and mood stabilizing antiepileptic medications are used for the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder.
PSY - 5.13
Characteristics of lithium intoxication:
1) tremor
2) confusion
3) diarrhoea
4) binge eating
A) only the 1st, 2nd and 3rd answers are correct
B) only the 1st and 3rd answers are correct
C) only the 2nd and 4th answers are correct
D) only the 4th answer is correct
E) all of the answers are correct
ANSWER
A) only the 1st, 2nd and 3rd answers are correct
EXPLANATION
Tremor and diarrhoea are very typical for lithium intoxication, at higher concentrations confusion and altered consciousness (coma) are also observable
PSY - 5.15
Contraindication(s) of lithium:
1) simultaneous antipsychotic treatment
2) hypothyroidism
3) psychotic symptoms
4) renal failure
A) only the 1st, 2nd and 3rd answers are correct
B) only the 1st and 3rd answers are correct
C) only the 2nd and 4th answers are correct
D) only the 4th answer is correct
E) all of the answers are correct
ANSWER
C) only the 2nd and 4th answers are correct
EXPLANATION
Psychotic symptoms and antipsychotic treatment are not contraindications; patients treated with lithium often are characterized by these conditions. Hypothyroidism and renal failure can be chronic side effects of lithium treatment, and lead to additional somatic symptoms. Pre-existing renal failure would lead to toxic lithium doses.
PSY - 5.16
Which of the following pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments can elicit depressed mood as a side-effect?
1) interferon-alpha treatment
2) oral anticoncipient treatment
3) high dose steroid treatment
4) deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disorder
A) only the 1st, 2nd and 3rd answers are correct
B) only the 1st and 3rd answers are correct
C) only the 2nd and 4th answers are correct
D) only the 4th answer is correct
E) all of the answers are correct
ANSWER
E) all of the answers are correct
EXPLANATION
All of these treatments can result in depressed mood as a side effect.
PSY - 5.17
In which psychiatric disorders have been antidepressants (tricyclics and MAO inhibitors) shown to be efficacious?
1) bulimia
2) chronic pain syndrome
3) anxiety disorders
4) atypical depression
A) only the 1st, 2nd and 3rd answers are correct
B) only the 1st and 3rd answers are correct
C) only the 2nd and 4th answers are correct
D) only the 4th answer is correct
E) all of the answers are correct
ANSWER
E) all of the answers are correct
EXPLANATION
Antidepressant drugs have shown efficacy in all of these disorders; bulimia, chronic pain syndromes, anxiety disorders, and atypical depression.