Anti Psychotics
This antipsychotic commonly known by its brand name Zyprexa is often given as treatment for mania and schizophrenia on acute inpatient wards
Olanzapine
This mood stabilizer can also be used to control epilepsy
Sodium Valproate
A member of the medical team has prescribed Clonazepam 10mg to be given, what are your immediate concerns?
Likely error, incorrect dosage.
What time of the day should an SSRI medication such as fluoxetine be taken and why?
Day time, Activating effects SSRI medication
University known for its students with blue shirts
Sydney uni
This antipsychotic comes in tablet form, short acting injectable form, long acting injectable form. This medication can have numerous side effects including EPSEs, tachycardia, sedation and urinary retention
zuclopenthixol
You suspect a patient has been diverting their sodium valproate tablets as their condition hasn't improved and their blood levels come back low for sodium valproate, what is an intervention you can suggest to the treating team?
Liquid valproate, supervision following medication administration
A patient in older adults’ unit has been prescribed Benzodiazepine to assist with sleep, they are frequently getting out of bed during the night. What would nursing staff be concerned about?
Falls Risk
An antidepressant medication prescribed for nighttime which can help with insomnia and reduced appetite?
Mirtazapine
This anti psychotic medication is a schedule 4 medication. Has a wide range of doses depending on clinical application. Can vary from 25mg to 800mg daily.
quetiapine
Potential overdose symptoms of this medication include altered mental status, diahorrea, excessive thirst
lithium
A patient who has been using Benzodiazepines for an extended period has missed two consecutive doses and now feels tremulous, describes palpitations and reports feeling nauseous. What is likely to be going on?
Benzo Withdrawal
Patient presents with persistent low mood, low energy levels, unable to enjoy activities previously would be enjoyable for the past 3 months. Wanting to explore treatment options what would be first line pharmacological treatment explored?
SSRI eg Sertraline, Escitalopram or Fluoxetine
Potential side effects of this anti psychotic medication include weight gain, postural hypotension, hypersalivation, tachycardia, myocarditis, neutropenia and constipation
clozapine
If you read a patients medication chart and they were prescribed both Olanzapine (anti psychotic) and Lithium (mood stabilizer). What is the most likely diagnosis to be?
Schizoaffective disorder
An individual who has been taking Benzodiazepine for an extended period have described impaired attention span and memory problems. What is likely contributing to these symptoms?
Cognitive Impairment in context on prolonged Benzo use.
A patient suddenly stops Venlafaxine which is a SNRI medication and presents with dizziness, nausea, headaches and is describing electric shock sensations (brain zaps). What would nursing staff suspect?
Antidepressant Withdrawal
This atypical ( new generation) anti-psychotic has some of the fewest side effects and can be given in tablet form or long acting injectable form (depot)
Aripriprazole
What would you do if a blood test comes back for a patient with a lithium level of 1.4 (lithium toxic)?
DONT GIVE NEXT DOSE! await instructions
inform treating team
Monitor side effects
vital signs
increase CL
inform treating team
encourage fluid intake
Lithium bloods
Lorazepam has been prescribed they are also prescribed opioid based analgesia for pain what considerations need to be taken and what physical observations would you be concerned about?
Respiratory depression
An individual presents to ED with agitation, sweating, diarrhoea and after starting a new antidepressant, they have reported they have used another serotonergic medication. What would you be concerned about?
Serotonin Syndrome