NUR 211 Psychopharmacology
- Classes of Psychiatric Medications
Answer -antipsychotics (neuroleptics) -mood stabilizers -anti-depressants -anxiolytics
- What to do Before Prescribing Meds
Answer -history -physical exam -labs -psych eval -sociocultural assessment -spiritual assessment -combo of prescription and therapy
- Central Nervous System
Answer -neurons transmit electrical impulses from one neuron to another across spaces called synapses -this transmission takes place because of the release and uptake of brain chemicals or neurotransmitters. Dysregulation of neurotransmitters appear to be the reason for most psychiatric disorders
- Main Neurotransmitters
Answer -dopamine -serotonin (5-HT) -histamine -norepinephrine 1 / 2
-acetylcholine -GABA -glutamate
- Anxiety Disorders
Answer -part of fight or flight - normal unless prolonged -generalized anxiety disorder -social phobia (3rd most common psychiatric disorder in the US) -PTSD
- Anxiolytics
Answer -medication which has an inhibitory effect on the CNS
-Reduces nervousness, excitability or irritability
-may cause sedation, but not sleep (the hypnotics can inhibit to the point of sleep)
- Anxiolytic Medications
Answer Benzodiazepines (the sedatives)
-Lorazepam (Ativan) -Alprazolam (Xanax) -Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) -Diazepam (Valium) -Clonazepam (Klonopin)
-there are hypnotic benzodiazepine (sleeping pills)
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