Psychiatric Medications and Cardiac Electrical Activity

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering psychiatric medication classes, side effects, dietary restrictions, and basic cardiac electrical principles based on the lecture notes.

Benzodiazepines

Medications used to reduce anxiety, such as Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam, and Temazepam; they are intended for short-term use and require monitoring for ataxia, liver function, bone marrow suppression, and respiratory issues like $COPD$ or Bronchitis.

Flumazenil

The medication administered to a client if they overdose on benzodiazepines.

Zolpidem

A Nonbenzodiazepine medication used to treat insomnia for a short-term duration of $7$ to $10$ days, with potential side effects including Anaphylaxis, Amnesia, Angioedema, and altered sleep behaviors like sleepwalking.

Typical Antipsychotics

A class of medications including Phenothiazines (Chlorpromazine, Trifluoperazine, etc.) and Non-phenothiazines (Haloperidol) used to treat schizophrenia symptoms; they can cause orthostatic hypotension, requiring clients to lay flat for $1$ hour after administration.

Tardive Dyskinesia

An extrapyramidal effect and adverse reaction associated with typical antipsychotic medications.

Benztropine

A medication given to help lessen the side effects, such as extrapyramidal symptoms, in patients taking antipsychotic drugs.

Atypical Antipsychotics

Second-generation medications like Clozapine, Risperidone, Olanzapine, and Aripiprazole which have fewer extrapyramidal symptoms but can cause metabolic changes such as Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, and Hyperlipidemia.

Agranulocytosis

A rare condition and psychiatric emergency characterized by the failure of bone marrow to produce white blood cells ($WBCs$), resulting in flu-like symptoms, rapid pulse, hypotension, and swollen painful gums.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

Antidepressants such as Isocarboxaxid, Phenelzine, Trangcypromine, and Segregiline that take $4-6$ weeks to work and carry a risk of hypertensive crisis if dietary restrictions are not followed.

Tyramine Restricted Diet

A diet required for clients on MAOIs that excludes organ or preserved meats, active yeast, "BAR" (Bananas, Avocado, Raisins), aged cheeses (except cottage), yogurt, soy sauce, coffee, tea, and chocolate.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Antidepressants such as Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, and Citalopram that inhibit serotonin reuptake; they must not be taken with St. John's Wort or MAOIs, which requires a $14$-day waiting period.

Serotonin Syndrome (SAD Head)

A condition caused by serotonin overload featuring symptoms of Sweating, Apprehensive, Dizziness, and Headache.

Tricyclics (TCAs)

Antidepressants including Amitriptyline and Imipramine that are also used for childhood enuresis; they can cause cardiac changes like tachycardia and long $QT$ intervals and take $6$ weeks to reach therapeutic levels.

Depolarization

The process where Sodium, Potassium, and Calcium ions move through channels across the cell membrane, causing heart contractions.

Repolarization

The phase of cardiac electrical activity during which the cardiac muscles are relaxed and ions return to their previous states.

Polarized

A resting state of the heart cells during which there is no electrical activity occurring.