Psychopharmacology
This class of medications is commonly used to treat depression and includes fluoxetine and sertraline.
What are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
This type of fluid imbalance is characterized by dry mucous membranes, decreased skin turgor, and hypotension.
What is dehydration (fluid volume deficit)?
This chronic respiratory disease involves reversible airway obstruction and is triggered by allergens or irritants.
What is asthma?
This type of therapy uses electrical currents to treat severe depression unresponsive to medication.
What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?
This procedure removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning.
What is dialysis?
This medication is commonly used to stabilize mood in patients with bipolar disorder.
What is lithium?
This electrolyte imbalance is often caused by diuretics and presents with muscle weakness, fatigue, and arrhythmias.
What is hypokalemia?
This life-threatening condition involves a blood clot obstructing the pulmonary arteries, leading to impaired gas exchange.
What is a pulmonary embolism?
This long-acting injection is used to manage schizophrenia in patients with poor medication compliance.
What is a long-acting antipsychotic (e.g., risperidone or haloperidol decanoate)?
Nurses should educate patients with peritoneal dialysis about monitoring for this major complication, characterized by cloudy effluent and abdominal pain.
What is peritonitis?
Patients on this class of medications for schizophrenia may experience extrapyramidal side effects (EPS).
What are antipsychotics?
Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs are indicative of this electrolyte imbalance.
What is hypocalcemia?
This is the term for the buildup of fluid in the pleural space, often causing dyspnea and diminished breath sounds.
What is a pleural effusion?
This therapy is used to expose patients to feared objects or situations to reduce anxiety over time.
What is exposure therapy?
This lab value, used to measure kidney function, has a normal range of 0.6–1.2 mg/dL in adults.
What is serum creatinine?
Patients taking this type of antidepressant should avoid foods high in tyramine, such as aged cheeses and cured meats.
What are monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)?
This electrolyte is essential for muscle contraction and nerve function and has a normal range of 3.5-5.0 mEq/L.
What is potassium?
This type of pneumonia occurs when a patient inhales food, liquids, or vomit into their lungs.
What is aspiration pneumonia?
This tool is used to assess a patient’s risk of harming themselves or others.
What is a suicide risk assessment?
This diuretic is often used to treat fluid overload in patients with kidney disease and requires monitoring for hypokalemia.
What is furosemide (Lasix)?
This medication, often used for anxiety, has a high potential for dependency and includes drugs like lorazepam and diazepam.
What are benzodiazepines?
This condition occurs when there is an excess of water relative to sodium, leading to confusion, seizures, and cerebral edema.
What is hyponatremia?
This condition occurs when air enters the pleural space, causing lung collapse.
What is a pneumothorax?
This type of medication is used to treat ADHD and includes amphetamine salts and methylphenidate.
What are stimulants?
This form of dialysis allows patients to manage their condition at home by using the peritoneal membrane for waste removal.
What is peritoneal dialysis?