Clinical Psychopharmacology and Psychiatric Disorders Review

Flashcards covering psychiatric diagnostic criteria, pharmacological management, and laboratory interpretations based on the PMHNP study materials.

Tolerance

The decreased effects of the same dose of a medication over time.

Kindling

The tendency of brain regions to react to repeated low-level bioelectrical stimulation by progressively boosting synaptic discharges, thereby lowering seizure thresholds.

Potency

The amount of drug required to produce an effect of a given intensity; high potency means a lower dose is needed.

ADHD Subtypes

Classification including inattentive type (sx's dominate), hyperactive type (hyperactivity/impulsivity dominate), and combined type (both criterion met).

Rett Syndrome

A disorder occurring primarily in girls involving a period of normal functioning followed by deficits like deceleration of head growth, stereotypic hand movements (licking/slapping), and loss of purposeful hand skills.

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)

A childhood depressive disorder diagnosed in children between ages $6$ and $18$ characterized by chronic dysregulated mood and frequent intense temper outbursts.

Pseudodementia

Depression in the older population that causes memory and cognition problems, typically characterized by an acute onset compared to the slow decline of actual dementia.

Free thyroxine T4 (FT4)

A test to determine thyroid status with normal values ranging from $0.8$ to $2.8\,ng/dl$.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

A test performed to establish the diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism, with normal values between $0.5$ and $5.0\,Mu/L$.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms

Physical findings that mimic depression, including confusion, decreased libido, memory loss, lethargy, constipation, weight gain, and sensitivity to cold.

Hyperthyroidism Symptoms

Physical findings that mimic mania, including irritability, heat sensitivity, weight loss, tremor, insomnia, and emotional lability.

Alcohol Use Disorder Lab Findings

Commonly includes an AST/ALT ratio > $2.0$, increased Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), and elevated triglycerides.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

An enduring pattern of angry/irritable mood and argumentative, defiant, or vindictive behavior lasting at least $6$ months.

Conduct Disorder

A repetitive pattern of behavior where the rights of others or societal norms are violated, involving aggression, destruction of property, or deceit/theft.

Conversion Disorder

A condition where a person experiences neurologic symptoms like blindness or numbness (glove stocking syndrome) that cannot be explained by medical evaluation, typically after a stressful experience.

Adjustment Disorder

An unhealthy emotional or behavioral reaction to a stressful event that occurs within $3$ months of the stressor.

Acute Stress Disorder

A mental disorder occurring within the first $1$ month following a trauma; if it lasts longer than one month, it is diagnosed as PTSD.

PANDAs

Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, which should be considered in children with sudden onset OCD symptoms.

Tourette Syndrome

A tic disorder diagnosed when at least $2$ motor tics and $1$ vocal tic have been present for more than $1$ year, with onset before age $18$.

Schizophrenia Positive Symptoms

Includes hallucinations, delusions, referential thinking, disorganized behavior, and hostility.

Schizophrenia Negative Symptoms

Includes affective flattening, alogia (poverty of speech), avolition (lack of motivation), apathy, and anhedonia.

Clozaril (Clozapine)

The only antipsychotic medication indicated to reduce the risk of suicide in patients with schizophrenia.

Schizoaffective Disorder

A disorder where psychotic symptoms (delusions/hallucinations) occur for at least $2$ weeks in the absence of prominent mood symptoms.

Variance

Any event that alters patient progress toward their expected outcomes, which can stem from provider behavior, illness severity, or practice patterns.