Psychotherapeutic Medication Basics
These medications alter brain activity to improve symptoms involving mood, thoughts, anxiety, perception, or behavior.
Psychotherapeutic medications
Lorazepam, alprazolam, and diazepam belong to this class of antianxiety medications.
Benzodiazepines
A client beginning antidepressant therapy should be taught that symptom improvement may not occur immediately but may take this long.
Two to several weeks
Sedation is an example of this type of antipsychotic medication side effect.
Central nervous system side effect
Before administering a psychotherapeutic medication, the nurse should verify the prescription, identify the client, and assess for allergies and these possible concerns.
Contraindications and drug interactions
Psychotherapeutic medications commonly produce their effects by changing the availability or activity of these chemical messengers in the brain.
Neurotransmitters
Drowsiness, impaired coordination, slowed reaction time, and the risk of dependence are common concerns associated with this antianxiety class.
Benzodiazepines
Clients taking antidepressants should not stop them suddenly because abrupt discontinuation may cause these effects.
Withdrawal or discontinuation symptoms and a return of symptoms
Dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation are three peripheral nervous system effects commonly described as this type of reaction.
Anticholinergic side effects
Monitoring therapeutic effects, observing for adverse reactions, checking laboratory results, promoting adherence, and documenting the client’s response are examples of these.
Care guidelines for clients receiving psychotherapeutic medications
Antianxiety agents, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics are the four major groups of these medications.
Classifications of psychotherapeutic medications
Buspirone is a nonbenzodiazepine antianxiety medication that has a lower risk of this problem than benzodiazepines.
Dependence or abuse
During the early phase of antidepressant therapy, the nurse must closely monitor for worsening depression and this urgent safety risk.
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
A client taking an antipsychotic reports dizziness when standing. The nurse identifies this adverse effect.
Orthostatic hypotension
Clients should be taught the medication’s purpose, how and when to take it, and these possible unwanted responses.
Side effects and adverse reactions
A client reports feeling better after taking an antidepressant for one week and wants to stop it. Which nursing response is most appropriate?
Dizziness, nausea, headache, and nervousness may occur when a client begins taking this nonbenzodiazepine antianxiety medication.
Buspirone
Clients taking lithium should maintain a consistent intake of fluids and this dietary mineral.
Sodium
Muscle rigidity, tremors, restlessness, and involuntary movements may indicate this group of antipsychotic adverse effects.
Extrapyramidal symptoms
Before agreeing to psychotherapeutic drug treatment, a competent client should receive understandable information about its benefits, risks, alternatives, and the right to refuse. This process is called what?
Informed consent
The same psychotherapeutic medication may affect clients differently because of age, genetics, physical health, other medications, and this individual factor.
Client's response to the medication
Some antidepressants are prescribed for long-term anxiety management. Clients should be taught that therapeutic effects may require this amount of time.
Several weeks
Regular blood-level testing, consistent fluid and sodium intake, and early reporting of toxicity symptoms are three major care guidelines for clients taking this medication.
Lithium
A client taking an antipsychotic develops high fever, severe muscle rigidity, confusion, and unstable blood pressure. This life-threatening reaction requires immediate intervention.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
A client repeatedly misses medication doses because the side effects interfere with work. Which nursing action is most therapeutic?
Explore the client's concerns without judgment, assess the barriers to adherence, provide education, and collaborate with the prescriber on a safer plan