Psych Exam Two Active Recall Review

Nervous System

Controls movement, thought, sensation, and involuntary functions.

CNS

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

PNS

Transmits information between the CNS and the rest of the body.

Cerebrum

Controls higher-order functions such as speech, reasoning, and sensory processing.

Left Hemisphere

Controls the right side of the body.

Right Hemisphere

Controls the left side of the body.

Frontal Lobes

Control organization of thought, movement, memories, emotions, and moral behavior.

Parietal Lobes

Interpret taste, touch, and assist in spatial orientation.

Temporal Lobes

Control smell, hearing, memory, and emotional expression.

Occipital Lobes

Coordinate visual processing.

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement and postural adjustments.

Brainstem

Regulates respiration, cardiovascular function, sleep, consciousness, and impulse control.

Reticular Activating System

Influences motor activity, sleep, consciousness, and awareness.

Extrapyramidal System

Relays information about movement and coordination.

Thalamus

Regulates activity, sensation, and emotion.

Hypothalamus

Regulates temperature, appetite, endocrine function, sexual drive, and impulsive behavior.

Hippocampus

Forms explicit, declarative, or episodic memories.

Amygdala

Processes emotions such as fear, anger, and pleasure.

Neurotransmission

Involves electrochemical messages traveling across synapses.

Neurotransmitters

Fit into specific receptors on dendrites.

Excitatory Actions

Neurotransmitters can cause excitatory or inhibitory actions.

Dopamine

Primarily excitatory.

Schizophrenia

Too much dopamine is associated with schizophrenia.

Parkinson’s

Too little dopamine is associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Antipsychotics

Work by blocking dopamine receptors.

Norepinephrine

Regulates attention, learning, memory, sleep, wakefulness, and mood.

Anxiety Disorders

Excess norepinephrine is linked to anxiety disorders.

Serotonin

Regulates sleep, appetite, temperature, pain control, and emotions.

Antidepressants

Improve mood by blocking serotonin reuptake.

Sedation

Histamine blockade can cause sedation, weight gain, and hypotension.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Acetylcholine is decreased in Alzheimer’s disease.

Glutamate

Is excitatory and neurotoxic at high levels.

GABA

The major inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Benzodiazepines

Enhance GABA activity.

CT scans

Visualize brain soft tissues and diagnose tumors and ventricular enlargement.

MRI

Uses magnets and radio waves to produce detailed tissue images.

PET scans

Use radioactive substances to monitor brain activity.

SPECT scans

Are similar to PET but use a single photon.

PET/SPECT Limitations

High cost, radioactive exposure, and limited availability.

Mental Disorders

Arise from interactions of genetics and environment.

Twin Studies

Help determine the genetic basis of mental illness.

Psychoimmunology

Studies the effect of stress on the immune system.

Severe Mental Disorders

Inflammation may contribute to severe mental disorders.

Maternal Infection

During pregnancy may increase risk for autism.

Efficacy

Refers to the maximal therapeutic effect of a drug.

Potency

Refers to the amount of drug needed to achieve a therapeutic effect.

Half-Life

Is the time required for half the drug to be removed from the bloodstream.

Off-Label Use

Refers to using a drug for conditions other than its approved indication.

Black Box Warnings

Indicate serious or life-threatening side effects.

Medication Selection

Is based on individual symptoms.

Gradual Tapering

Prevents rebound, recurrence, or withdrawal symptoms.

Antipsychotic Treatments

Treat delusions, hallucinations, and aggression.

Conventional Antipsychotics

Strongly block D2 receptors.

Atypical Antipsychotics

Block dopamine and serotonin receptors.

EPS

Extrapyramidal symptoms caused by blockade of dopamine receptors.

Acute Dystonia

Involves muscle rigidity, spasms, and difficulty swallowing.

Pseudoparkinsonism

Includes shuffling gait, rigidity, and pill-rolling movements.

Akathisia

Involves intense restlessness.

Tardive Dyskinesia

Causes irreversible involuntary movements.

NMS

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome symptoms include rigidity and high fever.

Metabolic Syndrome

Includes weight gain and increased risk for diabetes.

Sunscreen

Clients should use it to prevent photosensitivity.

Missed Doses

Should be taken only if within 3–4 hours.

Antidepressants

Regulate mood by interacting with norepinephrine and serotonin.

Major Depressive Disorder

Used to treat major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders.

Chronic Pain

Antidepressants are also used off-label for chronic pain.

TCAs

Block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.

Therapeutic Effect

Takes 4–6 weeks for TCAs to achieve therapeutic effect.

Anticholinergic Side Effects

Include dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision.

Severe TCA Side Effects

Include agitation and delirium.

MAOIs

Inhibit the enzyme that breaks down serotonin and norepinephrine.

Dietary Restrictions

MAOIs require strict dietary restrictions to avoid hypertensive crisis.

High Tyramine Foods

Must be avoided with MAOIs.

Dangerous Interactions

Occur with TCAs, meperidine, CNS depressants.

SSRIs

Block the reuptake of serotonin.

First-line Treatment

For depression is generally SSRIs.

Common Side Effects

Include anxiety, agitation, nausea, and sexual dysfunction.

Dosage Timing

SSRIs should be taken in the morning unless sedation occurs.

Missed Doses

Can be taken up to 8 hours late.

SNRIs

Block reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.

Common Side Effects of SNRIs

Include nausea, dizziness, and insomnia.

Atypical Antidepressants

Include bupropion, mirtazapine, and trazodone.

Bupropion

Inhibits reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine.

Contraindications

Bupropion is contraindicated in clients with seizure or eating disorders.

Mirtazapine

Increases serotonin and norepinephrine.

Weight Gain

Mirtazapine commonly causes sedation and significant weight gain.

Sedation Effects

Trazodone is commonly used for sedation.

Nefazodone Risks

Carries a risk of life-threatening liver damage.

Serotonin Syndrome

Can occur when combining MAOIs with SSRIs.

Symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome

Include agitation, fever, and tachycardia.

Mood Stabilizers

Prevent or minimize highs and lows of bipolar disorder.

Lithium

Is the most established mood stabilizer.

Reuptake Normalizers

Lithium normalizes reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.

Therapeutic Range of Lithium

Is 0.5–1.5 mEq/L.

Blood Level Draw Timing

Must be drawn 12 hours after the last dose.

Early Side Effects of Lithium

Include nausea, diarrhea, and metallic taste.

Toxicity Symptoms

Include severe diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness.

Renal Failure

Untreated lithium toxicity can lead to renal failure.

Anticonvulsants

Increase GABA levels and inhibit kindling.

Valproic Acid Risks

Can cause hepatic failure and neural tube defects.