Psychopharmacology

Question 1

half-life of a drug refers to

Answer 1

how long it takes to get rid of half of the drug from the body

Question 2

potentiation

Answer 2

when one drug can enhance the second drug

Question 3

synergism

Answer 3

when one drug can enhance the second drug significantly more than expected

Question 4

when a medication is antagonistic it can do what to counter the effects of a second drug

Answer 4

reduce the effect of the second drug

Question 5

acetylcholine

Answer 5

memory, learning and attention

Question 6

epinephrine

Answer 6

secreted by adrenal gland and endocrine gland above kidney. For fight flight freeze response regulation

Question 7

norepinephrine

Answer 7

wakefulness and alertness

Question 8

dopamine

Answer 8

behavioural regulation, movement, learning, mood and attention.
Can be both excitatory and inhibitory

Question 9

dopamin receptors can be activated by which drugs

Answer 9

cocaine and amphetamines

Question 10

what types of medication are best for these symptoms ?
low energy, apathy, inability to feel pleasure, low motivation

Answer 10

Dopamine or noradrenogenic medications SNRIS

Question 10

what types of medication are best for these symptoms ?
anxiety, agitation, obsessional symptoms, rumination, aggression, pronounced suicidality

Answer 10

SSRI’s best

Question 10

hat types of symptoms would indicate that someone was a good candidate for anti-depressants

Answer 10

someone with vegetative symptoms eg. sleep disturbances, appetite disturbances, fatigue, decreased sex drive, total loss of ability to experience pleasure etc.

Question 10

what do the guidelines say about drinking whilst on anti depressants

Answer 10

should not drink in excess of 1 per day

Question 11

how long after treatments have resolved after pharmacological depression treatment can you stop taking medication?

Answer 11

6 months after symptoms resolve, unless client has hx of multiple dep episodes in lifetime consider ongoing

Question 12

hypersomnia, significant weight gain, craving carbs, extreme fatigue are atypical symptoms of MDD commonly reported by which population

Answer 12

those with bipolar illnesses

Question 13

what symptoms indicate risk of hypomania if reported for longer than 2 days

Answer 13

irritability
decreased need for sleep without daytime drowsiness
racing thoughts
rapid pressured speech

Question 14

can you mix anti depressants with MAO inhhibitors

Answer 14

NO - FATAL

Question 15

what medication may have dangerous interactions with st Johns Wort

Answer 15

ant depressants

Question 16

a client tells you that they are taking SSRI’s and lithium what are you concerned about

Answer 16

SSRI’s increasing their lithium levels

Question 17

what medication is suitable for rapid cycling of mania

Answer 17

Lamotrigine

Question 18

what medication might be useful for mania with extreme agitation

Answer 18

antipsychotic or benzo

Question 19

what medication might be useful for classic euphoric mania

Answer 19

lithium or divaloproex

Question 20

What medication may be used for mixed mania symptoms

Answer 20

divaloproex

Question 21

what medication might be used for depressive episodes

Answer 21

mood stabilisers eg.
lithium, lamotragine, quetiapine etc

Question 22

lithium toxicity

Answer 22

slurred speech, tremor, seizure, delirium, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), more frequent urination

Question 23

when would medication for panic attacks be warranted?

Answer 23

when a client has experienced 4 or more panic attacks in a month

Question 24

what medication is used for nightmares?

Answer 24

minipress

Question 25

opioids are also known as

Answer 25

narcotics, heroin

Question 26

opioids work on

Answer 26

the CNS as depressants produce slowed breathing, increased body temp, slurred speech and impaired memory

Question 27

st johns wort is used for

Answer 27

mild depression