Psychopharmacology for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners

A collection of 125 vocabulary flashcards summarizing key concepts and terminologies from the lecture on psychopharmacology related to the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner exam.

Pharmacokinetics

The study of what the body does to a drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of what the drug does to the body, including the mechanisms of action at the receptor level.

Absorption

The method and rate at which a drug leaves the site of administration.

Distribution

The process of a drug leaving systemic circulation and entering into the cells and organs.

Metabolism

The process in which the drug becomes chemically altered in the body.

First-pass metabolism

The metabolic process by which the drug is altered by enzymes in the intestines and liver before reaching systemic circulation.

Half-life

The time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce to half its original value.

Steady state

The point at which the amount of drug eliminated between doses is approximately equal to the dose administered.

Cytochrome P450

A family of enzymes involved in the metabolism of drugs, particularly relevant to first-pass metabolism.

Enzyme inducers

Substances that increase the activity of enzymes, potentially lowering the serum level of co-administered drugs.

Enzyme inhibitors

Substances that decrease the activity of enzymes, potentially raising the serum level of co-administered drugs.

Therapeutic index

The ratio of the toxic dose to the therapeutic dose of a drug.

Potency

The relative dose required to achieve a certain effect.

Tachyphylaxis

An acute decrease in the response to a drug after repeated administration.

Controlled substances

Drugs that are regulated by law due to their potential for abuse and dependency.

Schedule I drugs

Drugs with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, e.g., heroin.

Schedule II drugs

Drugs with high potential for abuse but accepted medical use, requiring a written prescription, e.g., morphine.

Serotonin syndrome

A potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonergic activity in the nervous system.

Full agonist

A drug that fully activates a receptor to produce a maximum biological response.

Partial agonist

A drug that partially stimulates a receptor, producing a moderate biological response.

Neutral antagonist

A drug that binds to a receptor but does not activate it, blocking the action of agonists.

Inverse agonist

A drug that binds to a receptor and causes the opposite effect of the neurotransmitter.

GABA

An inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps to calm the mind and body.

Glutamate

An excitatory neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory; excessive levels can lead to seizures.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, and muscle contraction.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in the body's fight or flight response.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward, and motor control.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, anxiety, and happiness.

Adverse effects

Unintended and harmful reactions that occur with drug administration.

Anticholinergic effects

Side effects that occur due to the blocking of acetylcholine, such as dry mouth and blurred vision.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

A rare but serious reaction to antipsychotic medications that can cause severe muscle rigidity and fever.

EPS (Extrapyramidal symptoms)

Drug-induced movement disorders such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia.

Mania

A state of abnormally elevated arousal, affect, and energy, often seen in bipolar disorder.

Cycling syndrome

Fluctuations between depressive and manic episodes in bipolar disorder.

Anti-depressants

Medications used to treat depressive disorders by altering neurotransmitter levels.

SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)

A class of drugs used to treat depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.

SNRIs (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)

Antidepressants that increase both serotonin and norepinephrine levels.

Tricyclic antidepressants

Older class of antidepressants that often have more side effects than newer medications.

MAOIs (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors)

A class of antidepressants that inhibit the breakdown of neurotransmitters, often used as a last resort.

Agranulocytosis

A condition characterized by a dangerously low level of white blood cells, leading to increased infection risk.

Weight gain

Common side effect of certain medications, especially atypical antipsychotics.

QT prolongation

An extended time between the Q and T waves on an electrocardiogram, which can lead to arrhythmias.

Benzodiazepines

A class of drugs that work as anxiolytics and sedatives, increasing GABA activity.

Barbiturates

An older class of sedative-hypnotics that have largely been replaced by benzodiazepines.

Lithium

Mood stabilizer used primarily for treating bipolar disorder and suicidal ideation.

Valproic acid

Mood stabilizer that acts by increasing GABA levels and inhibiting sodium channels.

Lamotrigine

Antiepileptic drug used to treat mood stabilization, especially in bipolar disorder.

Carbamazepine

A mood stabilizer effective in preventing mood swings in bipolar disorder.

Gabapentin

An anti-seizure medication used off-label for anxiety and neuropathic pain.

Hydroxyzine

An antihistamine with anxiolytic properties, used for short-term treatment of anxiety.

Buspirone

An anxiolytic that is non-sedating and takes longer to work compared to benzodiazepines.

Stimulants

Medications primarily used to treat ADHD by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels.

Non-stimulants

Medications used to treat ADHD that do not have stimulant properties.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical substances that transmit signals across a synapse between neurons.

Tolerance

The diminished response to a drug after repeated use.

Withdrawal

Symptoms that occur upon abrupt discontinuation of a drug, often the opposite of the drug's effects.

Safety monitoring

Regular assessment and observation of a patient to detect side effects or complications from medication.

FDA pregnancy category A

Controlled studies show no risk to the fetus.

FDA pregnancy category X

Contraindicated in pregnancy due to known risks.

Electrolyte balance

The balance of minerals in the body essential for normal bodily functions, particularly when taking lithium.

Mood stabilizer

Medications used to treat mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder, to stabilize mood swings.

Schizophrenia

A chronic and severe mental disorder characterized by disturbances in thought, perception, and behavior.

Anxiolytic

A medication used to reduce anxiety.

Insomnia

Difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep.

Neuroleptics

Another term for antipsychotic medications.

Somnolence

Drowsiness or sleepiness often associated with medication use.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Form of psychotherapy that addresses dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and cognitive processes.

Therapeutic effect

The desired, beneficial outcome of a medication.

Side effect

An unintended effect that occurs in addition to the desired therapeutic effect.

Medication adherence

The extent to which patients take medications as prescribed.

Clinical efficacy

The effectiveness of a treatment in a controlled setting.

Polypharmacy

The concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient.

Medication interactions

Changes in the effectiveness or side effects of a medication due to the presence of another substance.

Pediatric considerations

Factors to consider when prescribing medications to children.

Geriatric considerations

Factors to consider when prescribing medications to older adults.

Substance use disorder

A condition characterized by an individual's inability to control their use of a substance despite harmful consequences.

Health literacy

The ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services.

Supportive therapy

Non-pharmacological treatment that provides support and improves patient quality of life.

Behavioral therapy

Psychological treatment that uses conversation and other techniques to change behavior and thought patterns.

Biopsychosocial model

An approach that examines biological, psychological, and social factors affecting an individual's health.

Non-compliance

Failure to take medications as prescribed or follow treatment protocols.

Patient education

Providing information to patients to help them understand their treatment and medications.

Referral to specialist

The process of sending a patient to another healthcare provider for specialized treatment.

Monitoring parameters

Specific factors to assess while a patient is on certain medications to ensure safety and effectiveness.