Comprehensive Mental Health Disorders and Psychopharmacology Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary and core concept flashcards covering Depressive, Anxiety, OCD, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Substance Use, Childhood, Personality, Neurocognitive, and Eating Disorders, including pharmacological interventions and nursing priorities.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Diagnostic Criteria

Requires at least $5$ total symptoms, which must include at least one of the two core symptoms depressed mood or anhedonia, present for a minimum of $2$ weeks.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) Duration

Symptoms must be present most of the day, for more days than not, for at least $2$ years.

Postpartum Psychosis

A critical psychiatric emergency requiring immediate intervention due to the risk of the mother harming herself or the infant.

PMDD Clinical Clue

The defining clinical clue for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is the cyclic pattern where symptoms occur during the luteal phase and resolve with the onset of menses.

Pseudodementia

Cognitive changes in older adults, such as memory loss and confusion caused by depression, that can mimic the presentation of dementia.

Suicide Risk Behavioral Warning

A sudden shift from severe depression to calmness or cheerfulness should trigger an immediate safety reassessment, as it may indicate the patient has finalized a suicide plan and feels relief.

Safety Plan vs. No-Harm Contract

A safety plan is a collaborative list of internal coping strategies and social supports the patient can use; it is preferred over a no-harm contract, which is an ineffective promise not to hurt oneself.

SSRI/SNRI Black Box Warning

Increased risk of suicidal ideation and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults up to age $24$.

Activation Syndrome

A period of increased restlessness, anxiety, and agitation that can occur shortly after starting or increasing the dose of an antidepressant.

Bupropion Contraindications

Contraindicated in patients with a history of seizure disorders or eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia) due to increased risk of seizures.

Trazodone Side Effect

Unique for its sedating properties; it carries a rare risk of priapism (prolonged, painful erection) which is a medical emergency.

MAOI Dietary Restriction

Requires a low-tyramine diet (avoiding aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented foods) to prevent a life-threatening hypertensive crisis.

MAOI-SSRI Washout Period

A period of at least $14$ days is required when switching between these classes to prevent serotonin syndrome.

Serotonin Syndrome Triad

Consists of mental status changes (agitation, confusion), autonomic hyperactivity (fever, tachycardia), and neuromuscular abnormalities (tremor, hyperreflexia).

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Criteria

Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least $6$ months, involving at least $3$ of the $6$ associated symptoms.

Panic Level Anxiety Nursing Response

The nurse must stay with the patient, maintain a calm and low-stimulus environment, use short and simple sentences, and never leave the patient alone.

Buspirone (BuSpar) Onset

Not appropriate for PRN or acute use; it requires $2$ to $4$ weeks of consistent use to achieve full therapeutic effect.

Propranolol in Anxiety

A beta-blocker that addresses the physical symptoms of anxiety (tachycardia, tremors) but does not treat the cognitive aspects of worry.

Obsession vs. Compulsion

Obsessions are persistent, intrusive, unwanted thoughts or images; compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions.

Ego-dystonic vs. Ego-syntonic

Ego-dystonic symptoms (seen in OCD) are perceived by the patient as unwanted and inconsistent with their self-image; ego-syntonic symptoms (seen in OCPD) are viewed by the patient as correct and desirable.

Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II

Bipolar I requires at least one episode of mania lasting $7$ days or requiring hospitalization; Bipolar II involves hypomania (at least $4$ days) and at least one major depressive episode.

Lithium Monitoring

Requires ongoing assessment of the renal system (BUN/Creatinine), thyroid function (TSH), and cardiac status.

Lithium and Dehydration

Dehydration leads to increased sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, which causes lithium levels to rise, significantly increasing the risk of toxicity.

Lamotrigine (Lamictal) Emergency

Any report of a spreading rash must be addressed immediately as it may indicate Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Serious Side Effect

Associated with agranulocytosis, a life-threatening blood disorder characterized by a severe drop in white blood cell count.

Antidepressants in Bipolar Disorder

Starting an antidepressant without a mood stabilizer in a bipolar patient carries a high risk of triggering a manic episode.

Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Symptoms such as flat affect, apathy, and social withdrawal; they are generally the least responsive to antipsychotic medication and the most disabling for daily functioning.

Clozapine (Clozaril) Monitoring

Federally mandated monitoring of Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is required; the medication cannot be dispensed without current lab results due to the risk of agranulocytosis.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)

A life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics characterized by 'lead pipe' muscle rigidity, high fever, and autonomic instability.

Alcohol Withdrawal Status

A medical emergency that can be fatal; monitored using the CIWA-Ar scale to guide treatment.

Opioid Overdose Triad

Consists of pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, and coma; treated with the antagonist naloxone (Narcan).

Disulfiram (Antabuse) Education

Patients must avoid all forms of alcohol, including hidden sources like mouthwash, vanilla extract, and aftershave, to avoid a severe adverse reaction.

Conduct Disorder (CD)

A behavioral disorder in children involving a persistent pattern of violating the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) Diagnosis

Can only be diagnosed at age $18$ or older, and requires a prior history/diagnosis of Conduct Disorder before age $15$.

ADHD Diagnostic Settings

Symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity must be present in at least $2$ settings (e.g., home and school) for a diagnosis.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Core Criteria

Deficits in social communication and social interaction, alongside restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.

Splitting

A defense mechanism common in Borderline Personality Disorder where individuals perceive others as all good or all bad, with no middle ground.

Delirium vs. Dementia

Delirium has a sudden/acute onset and is potentially reversible; Major Neurocognitive Disorder (dementia) has a slow/progressive onset and is irreversible.

Confabulation

The creation of stories or answers in place of actual memories to maintain self-esteem; it is an unconscious process and not the same as conscious lying.

Donepezil (Aricept) Vital Sign Monitoring

A cholinesterase inhibitor that can cause bradycardia; the patient's pulse must be monitored regularly.

Anorexia Nervosa Core Features

Restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight, and disturbance in the way body weight/shape is experienced.

Refeeding Syndrome Hallmark

A potentially fatal shift in fluids and electrolytes when a malnourished patient begins eating; the hallmark laboratory finding is hypophosphatemia.

Lanugo

Fine, downy hair that develops on the body as a physiological response to preserve heat in patients with severe anorexia nervosa.