Psychopharmacology

Question 1

Legal and ethical issues nurses must consider when administering psychotropic medication?

Answer 1

• education, re lifestyle and side effects
• consent
• rights of medication administration
• can be often via MI or oral medication- least restrictive practice, site, trauma, history
• this can be done when a patient is involuntary

Question 2

What are some factors that contribute to non-adherence who psychotropic medication?

Answer 2

• stigma and discrimination
• side effects
• getting better (then discontinuing use)
• cost of pharmacy access\
• fear of addiction

Question 3

what is a “PRN” medication when might it be used?

Answer 3

“as required” used in break through psychotic symptoms, anxiety agitation

Question 4

what are depot antipsychotics? when might these be used?

Answer 4

IMI often administered 2/52. used when orally not adhered.

Question 5

Consideration related to psychotropic drug use: pregnant and lactating women

Answer 5

haemodilution, foetal addiction, foetal development, medication transference through breast milk

Question 6

Consideration related to psychotropic drug use: children and adolescents

Answer 6

dosaging (lower doses due to drug naivety and lower body weight)
contradictions oth other medications

Question 7

Consideration related to psychotropic drug use: older people

Answer 7

metabolism may be affected, altered due to lover and kidney function potentially decreasing with age
falls risk
frailty 
dementia/ or delirium  
polypharmacy and drug interactions

Question 8

Pharamcodynamics

Answer 8

effects of drugs and mechanism of action

Question 9

pharmacokenetics

Answer 9

movement of drugs within the body

Question 10

Akathisia

Answer 10

movement disorder characterised by internal restless and drive to move.
side effects of some antipsychotic medication

Question 11

Ataxia

Answer 11

lack of voluntary muscle coordination incorporating gait

Question 12

Dysarthria

Answer 12

Slow and slurred speech that can be difficult to understand

Question 13

Tinnitus

Answer 13

perception of noise or ringing in the ears

Question 14

Extrapyramidal side effects

Answer 14

includes pseudo parkinsonism, akathisia, dystonia and dyskinesia side effects from antipsychotic medication

Question 15

Metabolic syndorme

Answer 15

cluster of conditions that increase the risk of diabetes, stroke and heart disease. this includes increased waist circumference, high BSL, high triglycerides and increase BP

Question 16

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Answer 16

rare life threatening condition as a result of some antipsychotic medications (or combination of medication) including fever, muscle rigidity, altered MSE and autonomic dysfunction

Question 17

Hypertensive crisis

Answer 17

rapidly rising BP which can cause a stroke

Question 18

Prolonged QT interval

Answer 18

delays repolarization in the heart, which can lead to dangerous, life threatening arrhythmias

Question 19

Serotonin syndrome

Answer 19

group of symptoms that occurs following use of serotonergic medications including high body temperature, agitation, increased reflexes, temor, sweating, dilated pupils diarrhea

Question 20

anticholinergic

Answer 20

Drugs that inhibits acetylcholine (neurotransmitters) and parasympathetic nerve impulses the manage side effects from antipsychotic medication