Question

Discussion Topics, Mohr
Chapter 16, Psychopharmacology

Discussion Topics Learning
Objective

1. You are caring for a 52-year- old woman who has been prescribed a
major antipsychotic (neuroleptic) agent. After explaining the potential side
effect, the client refuses to take the medication.
a. How would you feel about taking a major antipsychotic
(neuroleptic) agent, realizing the many side effects that these
medications can cause?
b. For psychoactive medications to be effective, client adherence is
essential. How would you respond to a client who continually fails
to follow his or her medication regimen?

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2. Carmen is a 40-year- old woman who suffers from severe depression.
Her physician has tried several different antidepressants that have been
unsuccessful in treating her condition. The physician is now considering
placing Carmen on a tricyclic antidepressant or a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor.
a. What type of client education would you want to provide to a client
who is prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant?
b. What type of client education would you want to provide to a client
who is prescribed a monoamine oxidase inhibitor?

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3. Lenny is a 53-year- old man who has been diagnosed with bipolar
disorder. He is seeing a psychiatric nurse practitioner, who has prescribed
lithium.
a. What type of client education would you want to provide to a client
who is prescribed lithium?
b. What are the therapeutic and toxic blood levels of lithium?

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4. A client in your care is very anxious about taking his newly prescribed
medication for depression, Pristiq. You attempt to alleviate his concerns
about taking a new drug through medication education.
a. Explain the FDA’s process of approving new drugs.
b. Discuss the principles of adherence and efficacy in relation to
psychotropic medications.
c. Identify the classification, neurotransmitters involved, and the
disorders for which the client’s medication is prescribed.
d. What is the action, recommended dosage, route of administration,
side effects, potential adverse effects, contraindications, and
nursing implications for the client’s medication, Pristiq?

Answer 1

1. a) antipsychotic drugs also known as antiepileptic or major tranquilizers are class of drugs used to treat psychosis. Antipsychotic drugs have many side effects.

If I had to antipsychotic drug I too would have been scared after knowing about their side effects. I would be scared because the side effects caused by such are extremely dangerous. I too would think not to take them.

But if they are necessary I would ask the nurse to educate me more about how to identify the possible symptoms of side effects and also the interventions needed.

b) If the patient fails to administer the drugs timely and regularly nurse can follow these :

• Setting up reminders like Use of alarms for drug administration
• Taking help from caregivers on timely drug dosage or supervision by a nurse on medications
• Use of drug dispensing kits so that patient can check and remember the dose timings
• Making sticky notes and posting them on common places to remind the patient about medications.