NR546 Final Exam Study Guide for Nursing Questions With 100% Correct Answers
What is the monoamine hypothesis of depression? - Answer-It theorizes that depression is
caused by a deficiency in monoamine neurotransmission, while mania is due to an excess.
What is a key prescribing consideration for antidepressants in bipolar disorder? - Answer-
Antidepressants should not be given as monotherapy; they must be combined with a mood
stabilizer to avoid inducing mania.
What should be monitored when prescribing SNRIs to breastfeeding patients? - Answer-
Infant irritability.
What factors should be considered when prescribing antidepressants? - Answer-Client
preference, prior treatment response, anticipated adverse effects, comorbidities, half-life,
interactions, and cost.
What should be done if the initial antidepressant does not work? - Answer-First, increase the
dose; if that fails, switch to a different drug in the same class, then try a drug in a different
class, and possibly add a second medication.
What is the recommended dose adjustment for older patients taking citalopram and
escitalopram? - Answer-They should receive half the usual dose.
Which SSRI has the least CYP interactions? - Answer-Escitalopram (Lexapro).
Which SSRI is considered good for forgetful patients? - Answer-Fluoxetine, due to its 2-3 day
half-life.
What is the longest-acting antidepressant? - Answer-Fluoxetine, with a half-life of 1-2 weeks.
, What is discontinuation syndrome and which medication is more likely to cause it? - Answer-
Discontinuation syndrome occurs when stopping an antidepressant, and paroxetine is more
likely to cause it.
Which antidepressant is safe during nursing and pregnancy? - Answer-Sertraline.
What is serotonin syndrome? - Answer-A condition that occurs when two serotonergic drugs
are used together, leading to symptoms such as mental status changes, autonomic
instability, neuromuscular symptoms, seizures, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
What is the treatment for serotonin syndrome? - Answer-Stop the medication, provide
supportive care, and use benzodiazepines.
What is the black box warning for MAOIs? - Answer-They carry a warning for suicidal
ideation in children, adolescents, and young adults.
What is the half-life of MAOIs? - Answer-2-4 hours.
What is the black box warning for SSRIs? - Answer-They carry a warning for suicidal
tendencies.
What are MAOIs and what do they inhibit? - Answer-MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)
are antidepressants that inhibit the enzyme that deactivates dopamine, norepinephrine, and
serotonin.
What can happen if MAOIs are taken with tyramine-containing foods? - Answer-They can
cause a hypertensive crisis.
What can increase lithium levels? - Answer-Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
What can decrease lithium levels? - Answer-Caffeine and mania.
What is the monoamine hypothesis of depression? - Answer-It theorizes that depression is
caused by a deficiency in monoamine neurotransmission, while mania is due to an excess.
What is a key prescribing consideration for antidepressants in bipolar disorder? - Answer-
Antidepressants should not be given as monotherapy; they must be combined with a mood
stabilizer to avoid inducing mania.
What should be monitored when prescribing SNRIs to breastfeeding patients? - Answer-
Infant irritability.
What factors should be considered when prescribing antidepressants? - Answer-Client
preference, prior treatment response, anticipated adverse effects, comorbidities, half-life,
interactions, and cost.
What should be done if the initial antidepressant does not work? - Answer-First, increase the
dose; if that fails, switch to a different drug in the same class, then try a drug in a different
class, and possibly add a second medication.
What is the recommended dose adjustment for older patients taking citalopram and
escitalopram? - Answer-They should receive half the usual dose.
Which SSRI has the least CYP interactions? - Answer-Escitalopram (Lexapro).
Which SSRI is considered good for forgetful patients? - Answer-Fluoxetine, due to its 2-3 day
half-life.
What is the longest-acting antidepressant? - Answer-Fluoxetine, with a half-life of 1-2 weeks.
, What is discontinuation syndrome and which medication is more likely to cause it? - Answer-
Discontinuation syndrome occurs when stopping an antidepressant, and paroxetine is more
likely to cause it.
Which antidepressant is safe during nursing and pregnancy? - Answer-Sertraline.
What is serotonin syndrome? - Answer-A condition that occurs when two serotonergic drugs
are used together, leading to symptoms such as mental status changes, autonomic
instability, neuromuscular symptoms, seizures, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
What is the treatment for serotonin syndrome? - Answer-Stop the medication, provide
supportive care, and use benzodiazepines.
What is the black box warning for MAOIs? - Answer-They carry a warning for suicidal
ideation in children, adolescents, and young adults.
What is the half-life of MAOIs? - Answer-2-4 hours.
What is the black box warning for SSRIs? - Answer-They carry a warning for suicidal
tendencies.
What are MAOIs and what do they inhibit? - Answer-MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)
are antidepressants that inhibit the enzyme that deactivates dopamine, norepinephrine, and
serotonin.
What can happen if MAOIs are taken with tyramine-containing foods? - Answer-They can
cause a hypertensive crisis.
What can increase lithium levels? - Answer-Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
What can decrease lithium levels? - Answer-Caffeine and mania.
