A patient's spouse, who is a chemist, asks a nurse how serotonin ...

[pragya sharda]

A patient's spouse, who is a chemist, asks a nurse how serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) lift depression. The nurse should explain that SSRIs:
 
  a. destroy increased amounts of neurotransmitters.
  b. make more serotonin available at the synaptic gap.
  c. increase production of acetylcholine and dopamine.
  d. block muscarinic and alpha1-norepinephrine receptors.

Question 2

A patient has taken many conventional antipsychotic drugs over years. The health care provider, who is concerned about early signs of tardive dyskinesia, prescribes risperidone (Risperdal).
 
  A nurse planning care for this patient understands that atypical antipsychotics:
 
  a. are less costly.
  b. have higher potency.
  c. are more readily available.
  d. produce fewer motor side effects.

[karlss]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Depression is thought to be related to the lowered availability of the neurotransmitter serotonin. SSRIs act by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, leaving a higher concentration available at the synaptic cleft. They actually prevent the destruction of serotonin, have no effect on acetylcholine and dopamine production, and do not block muscarinic or alpha1-norepinephrine receptors.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Atypical antipsychotic drugs often exert their action on the limbic system rather than the basal ganglia. The limbic system is not involved in motor disturbances. Atypical antipsychotic medications are not more readily available. They are not considered to be of higher potency; rather, they have different modes of action. Atypical antipsychotic drugs tend to be more expensive.

[pragya sharda]

TYSM

[elyse44]

Excellent