Nervous System basics
This part of the nervous system contains the brain and spinal cord.
What is the Central Nervous System (CNS)?
This hydantoin drug is the medication of choice for tonic-clonic and partial seizures.
What is phenytoin (Dilantin)?
This class of medications is considered first-line treatment for depression.
What are SSRIs?
This neurotransmitter is deficient in Parkinson's disease.
What is dopamine?
This mood stabilizer is most commonly used for bipolar disorder.
What is lithium?
The Peripheral Nervous System is divided into these two major branches.
What are the somatic and autonomic nervous systems?
Phenytoin works by delaying the movement of this ion across neural membranes
What is sodium?
Lorazepam (Ativan), Diazepam (Valium), and Alprazolam (Xanax) belong to this drug class.
What are benzodiazepines?
The cornerstone medication for Parkinson's disease is this combination drug.
What is carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet)?
Lithium has this type of therapeutic range, requiring close monitoring.
What is a narrow therapeutic range?
This branch of the autonomic nervous system is known as the "fight-or-flight" system.
What is the sympathetic nervous system?
A nurse caring for a patient taking phenytoin should emphasize the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene to help prevent this common adverse effect.
What is gingival hyperplasia?
SSRIs work by preventing the reabsorption of this neurotransmitter.
What is serotonin?
Donepezil (Aricept) is used to treat this disease.
What is Alzheimer's disease?
Patients taking lithium should maintain consistent intake of this dietary substance.
What is sodium (salt)?
Cholinergic nerves release this neurotransmitter associated with the parasympathetic response
What is acetylcholine?
A patient taking phenytoin reports feeling unsteady while walking. The nurse recognizes this adverse effect as:
What is ataxia?
Which antidepressant class is preferred for long-term anxiety management due to lower dependence potential?
What are SSRIs (or SSRIs/SNRIs)?
Donepezil works by inhibiting the breakdown of this neurotransmitter.
What is acetylcholine?
This psychiatric condition is characterized by abnormal thoughts, disorganized communication, and lack of interaction with the environment.
What is psychosis?
Most psychotropic drugs work at this location between nerve cells to alter neurotransmitter activity.
What is the synapse?
A nurse is caring for a client with tonic-clonic seizures. The provider prescribes phenytoin because it is considered the drug of choice for this type of seizure. What therapeutic effect is the nurse expecting?
What is a reduction in abnormal electrical activity and prevention of tonic-clonic seizures?
A patient needs rapid relief of severe anxiety. Which medication class would provide faster symptom relief: SSRIs or benzodiazepines?
What are benzodiazepines?
Parkinson's disease results from the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in this area of the brain.
What is the substantia nigra?
A nurse is teaching a client taking lithium. The client states, "I'm cutting all salt out of my diet." This response requires immediate correction because it increases the risk for this serious complication.
What is lithium toxicity?