Medication Basics
Who is an appropriate healthcare professional to talk with about questions regarding a prescription medication?
What is A doctor/prescriber, nurse, or pharmacist.
Name one possible medication side effect.
What is drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite.
Name one tool that can help someone remember to take medication.
What is Alarm, phone reminder, calendar, pill organizer, or medication-management app.
What should you do if you don't understand your medication instructions?
What is Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain them.
Name one mental health symptom that someone might monitor over time.
What is Examples include depressed mood, anxiety, hallucinations, changes in sleep, irritability, or difficulty concentrating.
True or False: You should follow the medication instructions provided by your healthcare provider.
What is true.
True or False: Everyone experiences the same side effects from medication.
What is false.
What is one way to reduce the chance of forgetting a medication dose?
What is Establish a consistent routine or use reminders.
True or False: It is okay to tell your doctor if you don't think your medication is helping.
What is true.
Why can tracking mental health symptoms be useful?
What is It can help identify patterns, changes, triggers, and whether treatment appears to be helping.
Why is it important to know the names of your medications?
What is So you know what you are taking and can communicate accurately with healthcare providers.
What should you do if you notice a new or bothersome side effect?
What is Contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist and explain what you are experiencing.
Why might keeping an updated medication list be helpful?
What is It allows healthcare providers to know what medications a person is currently taking.
Name one question you could ask your provider about a medication.
What is
Name one healthy coping skill that can be used alongside a mental health treatment plan.
What is Walking, music, journaling, relaxation exercises, hobbies, talking with a support person, or mindfulness.
What are three things you might want to know about a medication?
What is, What it is for, how to take it, and possible side effects.
Why can keeping track of symptoms and possible side effects be helpful?
What is It can help the healthcare provider understand what is happening and determine whether changes to treatment may be needed.
What should you do if you aren't sure how or when to take a medication?
What is Ask your prescriber or pharmacist for clarification.
Why should you tell your provider about other medications, vitamins, supplements, or over-the-counter products you take?
What is They may affect medication safety or interact with prescribed medications.
True or False: Medication is the only part of mental health recovery.
What is false
"Medication can be one part of treatment. Therapy, coping skills, social support, healthy routines, meaningful activities, and other services can also contribute to recovery."
If you are thinking about stopping a prescribed medication because you feel better, what should you do first?
What is Talk with the prescribing healthcare professional before making changes.
A person experiences a concerning reaction after taking medication. What should determine whether they seek emergency help?
What is The severity and type of symptoms. Severe or potentially life-threatening symptoms should be treated as an emergency.
Name three things that could make medication management difficult.
What is Forgetfulness, complicated schedules, side effects, cost/access problems, transportation, changes in routine, or difficulty understanding instructions.
What information could you bring to a medication appointment to make the conversation more useful?
What is Medication list, questions, symptoms, side effects, concerns, and information about missed doses or difficulties following the medication routine.
What is an early warning sign?
What is A change that may indicate someone's mental health symptoms are beginning to increase or worsen.