lOMoAR cPSD| 65448581
NURS 615 Exam 2 Study Guide | Complete study with
verified solutions | A+ Graded | 2026 Updates | 100%
correct
Anxiolytics
Benzodiazepines:
o Pharmacodynamics: Gamma Amio butyric acid (GABA) an inhibitor neurotransmitter.
o Benzodiazepines increase the action of GABA, which reduces the effect of neuronal
excitation. Act on GABA receptor. o This can result in reduction in anxiety, muscle
relaxation, ataxia, anticonvulsant activity.
o They are an agonist at the Gaba receptor, but they INHIBIT the neurotransmitter.
o It reduces the activity through voltage dependent chloride channels. o Examples:
o alprazolam (Xanax) o Lorazepam (Ativan
o Temazepam (Restoril)
Buspar:
• Acts mainly in the Serotonin 1a receptor.
• It does have some activity at the dopamine receptor but be sure to know that it
primarily acts at the serotonin receptor.
• Short half-life, but slow onset of action.
• Absorbed well orally, should be taken with food to decrease first-pass effect.
• Sometimes called an atypical anxiolytic.
• Approved for the use of GAD.
• Full agonist at the pre-synaptic serotonin receptor.
• Acts mainly at these receptors.
Antidepressants SSRIs:
Selective Reuptake Inhibitors:
• Examples:
o Paroxetine (Paxil) o Fluoxetine (Prozac) o Sertraline (Zoloft) o Citalopram
(Celexa) o Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Act at the Serotonin receptor
• These are indicated for MDD, GAD, OCD, PTSD, Panic disorder and more.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 65448581
• They inhibit presynaptic neuronal reuptake of serotonin: this allows more serotonin to
be available to interact with the postsynaptic receptor, then they are available for use in
the body.
• These are well absorbed orally and have a significant first-pass effect. Metabolized by
the CYP450 system. The majority are eliminated through urine.
• Common adverse effects: nausea, dry mouth, headache, sexual side effects
• Drug-drug interaction with Linezolid
• Patient Education: It is important to take medication at the same time every day. Inform
patients of potential side effects. Inform patients when they can expect to notice an
improvement in their symptoms. It will take up to two weeks until they see side effects.
Serotonin Syndrome Symptoms:
• HA, nausea, diarrhea, tremors or muscle spasms, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure,
disorientation or hallucinations, intense anxiety, high fever, seizures, coma and death.
SNRIs:
• Examples:
o Venlafaxine (Effexor) o Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
o Venlafaxine (Effexor): At lower doses this predominately affects serotonin
reuptake.
• These block serotonin and norepinephrine transporters, inhibiting the reuptake of the
neurotransmitters. Tricyclic antidepressants:
• Mechanism of action: inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the
presynaptic neuron. They also act on histamine and acetylcholine. Used for neuropathic
pain (Elavil with elderly patients) and off labels. These meds were prescribed before
SNRI and SSRI.
• Contraindications: patients with CV disease, uncontrolled epilepsy, urinary retention,
angle-closure glaucoma. It is possible to overdose on
these. Choose patients carefully to avoid overdose. Atypical
antidepressants:
• Bupropion (Wellbutrin): Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors. Uptake of NE
and dopamine are weakly inhibited. These can cause insomnia. Take in the morning.
• Contraindications: patients with seizure disorder or conditions increase the risk for
seizure disorder. Angle-closure glaucoma.
Anticonvulsants
Carbamazepine (Tegretol):
• Inhibits neuronal firing by blocking sodium channels. It is the most effective against
partial seizures. It is highly bound to plasma proteins. It is completely metabolized. It
induced its OWN metabolism: it increased clearance, shortened half-life and progressive
decrease in serum levels. Increases in dosage are necessary to maintain blood levels. We
test Carbamazepine levels for this.
NURS 615 Exam 2 Study Guide | Complete study with
verified solutions | A+ Graded | 2026 Updates | 100%
correct
Anxiolytics
Benzodiazepines:
o Pharmacodynamics: Gamma Amio butyric acid (GABA) an inhibitor neurotransmitter.
o Benzodiazepines increase the action of GABA, which reduces the effect of neuronal
excitation. Act on GABA receptor. o This can result in reduction in anxiety, muscle
relaxation, ataxia, anticonvulsant activity.
o They are an agonist at the Gaba receptor, but they INHIBIT the neurotransmitter.
o It reduces the activity through voltage dependent chloride channels. o Examples:
o alprazolam (Xanax) o Lorazepam (Ativan
o Temazepam (Restoril)
Buspar:
• Acts mainly in the Serotonin 1a receptor.
• It does have some activity at the dopamine receptor but be sure to know that it
primarily acts at the serotonin receptor.
• Short half-life, but slow onset of action.
• Absorbed well orally, should be taken with food to decrease first-pass effect.
• Sometimes called an atypical anxiolytic.
• Approved for the use of GAD.
• Full agonist at the pre-synaptic serotonin receptor.
• Acts mainly at these receptors.
Antidepressants SSRIs:
Selective Reuptake Inhibitors:
• Examples:
o Paroxetine (Paxil) o Fluoxetine (Prozac) o Sertraline (Zoloft) o Citalopram
(Celexa) o Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Act at the Serotonin receptor
• These are indicated for MDD, GAD, OCD, PTSD, Panic disorder and more.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 65448581
• They inhibit presynaptic neuronal reuptake of serotonin: this allows more serotonin to
be available to interact with the postsynaptic receptor, then they are available for use in
the body.
• These are well absorbed orally and have a significant first-pass effect. Metabolized by
the CYP450 system. The majority are eliminated through urine.
• Common adverse effects: nausea, dry mouth, headache, sexual side effects
• Drug-drug interaction with Linezolid
• Patient Education: It is important to take medication at the same time every day. Inform
patients of potential side effects. Inform patients when they can expect to notice an
improvement in their symptoms. It will take up to two weeks until they see side effects.
Serotonin Syndrome Symptoms:
• HA, nausea, diarrhea, tremors or muscle spasms, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure,
disorientation or hallucinations, intense anxiety, high fever, seizures, coma and death.
SNRIs:
• Examples:
o Venlafaxine (Effexor) o Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
o Venlafaxine (Effexor): At lower doses this predominately affects serotonin
reuptake.
• These block serotonin and norepinephrine transporters, inhibiting the reuptake of the
neurotransmitters. Tricyclic antidepressants:
• Mechanism of action: inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the
presynaptic neuron. They also act on histamine and acetylcholine. Used for neuropathic
pain (Elavil with elderly patients) and off labels. These meds were prescribed before
SNRI and SSRI.
• Contraindications: patients with CV disease, uncontrolled epilepsy, urinary retention,
angle-closure glaucoma. It is possible to overdose on
these. Choose patients carefully to avoid overdose. Atypical
antidepressants:
• Bupropion (Wellbutrin): Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors. Uptake of NE
and dopamine are weakly inhibited. These can cause insomnia. Take in the morning.
• Contraindications: patients with seizure disorder or conditions increase the risk for
seizure disorder. Angle-closure glaucoma.
Anticonvulsants
Carbamazepine (Tegretol):
• Inhibits neuronal firing by blocking sodium channels. It is the most effective against
partial seizures. It is highly bound to plasma proteins. It is completely metabolized. It
induced its OWN metabolism: it increased clearance, shortened half-life and progressive
decrease in serum levels. Increases in dosage are necessary to maintain blood levels. We
test Carbamazepine levels for this.
