1
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING MEDICATIONS EXAM LATEST
VERSION -2025/2026- 100+ QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS ALL THE BEST
THREE main groups of antidepressants:
1.Tricyclic
2.Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) MY FAVE!!!!!!!!!
3.Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Tricyclic Antidepressants
* Raise the level of epinephrine and serotonin in the brain by slowing the rate at
which they are reabsorbed by nerve cells.
* SIDE EFFECTS: anticholinergic in nature (dry mouth, constipation), blurred vision,
dizziness, drowsiness, tachycardia, dysrhythmias, hypotension, increased suicide
risks the first few weeks of therapy
All addictive. For short term use only. DO NOT STOP ABRUPTLY, patients must be
weaned off these meds or they will have SEIZURES.
Buspirone (BuSpar)
Secondary type of Anti-Anxiety med. NOT A BENZO!
This med does NOT give the tranquilizer effect that the benzodiazepines do.
BuSpar's action is unknown.
*Takes 2 weeks to take effect
*Side effects are slurred speech and dizziness
Beta Blockers
Another type of anti-anxiety medication. Not a benzo. USED PRN.
, 2
PROPRANOLOL (Inderal) (common one)
*Typically used to treat heart conditions and hypertension, but sometimes used to
control "performance anxiety"
CHECK PATIENT'S BP and PULSE before administering
Antidepressants
Not uppers
*6-8 weeks to take effect, continued for 6-12 months (or more)
THE MEDS:
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
Imipramine (Tofranil)
anticholinergic side effects
Dizziness, headaches, excitement, cough, urinary retention, dry mouth, irritability,
delayed GI motility
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Block the action of monoamine oxidase and prevent breakdown of
norepinephrine and serotonin.
The MEDS:
Phenelzine (Nardil)
tranylcypromine (Parnate)
isocarboxazid (Marplan)
Side effects: anticholinergic effects, dry mouth, orthostatic hypotension, headache
, 3
DO NOT TAKE THESE MEDS WITH NASAL DECONGESTANTS or with FOOD
CONTAINING high levels of TYRAMINE (a precursor to norepinephrine)
AVOID THESE FOODS: AGED CHEESE, AVACADOS, YOGURT, SOUR CREAM, CHICKEN
& BEEF LIVERS (DAMMIT!), pickled herring, corned beef, bean pods, bananas,
raisins, figs, smoked & processed meat, yeast supplements, chocolate
(NOOOOOOOOO!), MSG, soy sauce, beer, red wines, & caffeine (depressed just
reading these!)
Hypertensive crisis & DEATH can occur if patient cosumes these foods. Signs: stiff
neck, nausea, vomiting
When this med is stopped, wait @ WEEKS before starting any new meds.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Block the reabsorption of serotonin.
THE MEDS:
fluoxetine (Prozac)
sertraline (Zoloft)
paroxetine (Paxil)
escitalopram (Lexapro)
citalopram (Celexa)
fluvoxamine (Luvox)
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING MEDICATIONS EXAM LATEST
VERSION -2025/2026- 100+ QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS ALL THE BEST
THREE main groups of antidepressants:
1.Tricyclic
2.Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) MY FAVE!!!!!!!!!
3.Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Tricyclic Antidepressants
* Raise the level of epinephrine and serotonin in the brain by slowing the rate at
which they are reabsorbed by nerve cells.
* SIDE EFFECTS: anticholinergic in nature (dry mouth, constipation), blurred vision,
dizziness, drowsiness, tachycardia, dysrhythmias, hypotension, increased suicide
risks the first few weeks of therapy
All addictive. For short term use only. DO NOT STOP ABRUPTLY, patients must be
weaned off these meds or they will have SEIZURES.
Buspirone (BuSpar)
Secondary type of Anti-Anxiety med. NOT A BENZO!
This med does NOT give the tranquilizer effect that the benzodiazepines do.
BuSpar's action is unknown.
*Takes 2 weeks to take effect
*Side effects are slurred speech and dizziness
Beta Blockers
Another type of anti-anxiety medication. Not a benzo. USED PRN.
, 2
PROPRANOLOL (Inderal) (common one)
*Typically used to treat heart conditions and hypertension, but sometimes used to
control "performance anxiety"
CHECK PATIENT'S BP and PULSE before administering
Antidepressants
Not uppers
*6-8 weeks to take effect, continued for 6-12 months (or more)
THE MEDS:
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
Imipramine (Tofranil)
anticholinergic side effects
Dizziness, headaches, excitement, cough, urinary retention, dry mouth, irritability,
delayed GI motility
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Block the action of monoamine oxidase and prevent breakdown of
norepinephrine and serotonin.
The MEDS:
Phenelzine (Nardil)
tranylcypromine (Parnate)
isocarboxazid (Marplan)
Side effects: anticholinergic effects, dry mouth, orthostatic hypotension, headache
, 3
DO NOT TAKE THESE MEDS WITH NASAL DECONGESTANTS or with FOOD
CONTAINING high levels of TYRAMINE (a precursor to norepinephrine)
AVOID THESE FOODS: AGED CHEESE, AVACADOS, YOGURT, SOUR CREAM, CHICKEN
& BEEF LIVERS (DAMMIT!), pickled herring, corned beef, bean pods, bananas,
raisins, figs, smoked & processed meat, yeast supplements, chocolate
(NOOOOOOOOO!), MSG, soy sauce, beer, red wines, & caffeine (depressed just
reading these!)
Hypertensive crisis & DEATH can occur if patient cosumes these foods. Signs: stiff
neck, nausea, vomiting
When this med is stopped, wait @ WEEKS before starting any new meds.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Block the reabsorption of serotonin.
THE MEDS:
fluoxetine (Prozac)
sertraline (Zoloft)
paroxetine (Paxil)
escitalopram (Lexapro)
citalopram (Celexa)
fluvoxamine (Luvox)
