Chapter 16: Psychotherapeutic Drugs Test: Serotonin & Bupropion, Pharmacology for Nurses
The key terms in this Pharmacology course include Psychotherapeutic Drugs, Medication, Alcohol, Constipation, Toxicity, Serotonin, Brain, Block, Bupropion, Smoking, Patient, Adverse, Syndrome, Anxiety, Supplement, Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA), Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI), Pharmacology.
A patient diagnosed with depression is being discharged with a prescription for tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) after no improvement of symptoms on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Which instruction would the nurse include specific to TCAs?
There are no drug or food contraindications with this medication.
This drug does not cause problems with sleep, constipation, or low blood pressure.
There is a risk of toxicity when this medication is taken with alcohol.
Take St. John’s wort every day to minimize the adverse effects of the medication.
There is an increased risk of toxicity with TCAs when taken with alcohol and a high rate of morbidity.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) both function by which mechanism?
Stimulate areas of the brain associated with mental alertness
Inhibit an enzyme that stops the action of neurotransmitters
Decrease the catecholamine release into the blood
Block the reuptake of neurotransmitters at nerve endings
The SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin. The TCAs block the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. The monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) inhibit the MAO enzyme that stops the actions of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Amphetamines stimulate areas of the brain associated with mental alertness.
What is another approved and indicated use for the antidepressant bupropion (Zyban)?
Tourette’s syndrome
Nocturnal enuresis
Smoking cessation
Orthostatic hypotension
Zyban is a sustained-release form of bupropion that is useful in helping patients to quit smoking.
A patient who is prescribed duloxetine (Cymbalta) comes to the medical clinic complaining of restlessness, sweating, and tremors. The nurse suspects serotonin syndrome and questions the patient regarding concurrent use of which herbal product or dietary supplement?
Glucosamine chondroitin
St. John’s wort
Vitamin E
Zinc
Serotonin syndrome may occur with SSRIs when they are combined with herbal products such as St. John’s wort.
What is another approved and indicated use for the antidepressant bupropion (Zyban)?
Nocturnal enuresis
Tourette’s syndrome
Smoking cessation
Orthostatic hypotension
Zyban is a sustained-release form of bupropion that is useful in helping patients to quit smoking.
A patient wants to take a ginseng dietary supplement. The nurse instructs the patient to look for which potential adverse effect?
Drowsiness
Constipation
Palpitations and anxiety
Dry mouth
Elevated blood pressure, chest pain or palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are potential adverse effects of ginseng. Drowsiness, difficulty with urination, and constipation are not potential adverse effects of ginseng.