Nokea
A nurse prepares to administer an antipsychotic medication to a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia. Additional monitoring of the medication's effects and side effects will be most important if the patient is also diagnosed with which health problem? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Parkinson disease
- B. Graves' disease
- C. Osteoarthritis
- D. Epilepsy
- E. Diabetes
Correct Answer: A,D,E
Rationale: Antipsychotic medications may produce weight gain, which complicates the care of a patient with diabetes, or lowers the seizure threshold (or both), which complicates the care of a patient with epilepsy. Parkinson disease involves changes in transmission of dopamine and acetylcholine; therefore, these drugs also complicate the care of a patient with the disorder. Osteoarthritis and Graves' disease should have no synergistic effect with this medication.
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The spouse of a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia asks, 'Which neurotransmitters are more active when a person has schizophrenia?' The nurse's response will focus on which neurotransmitters? (Select all that apply.)
- A. GABA
- B. Substance P
- C. Histamine
- D. Dopamine
- E. Norepinephrine
Correct Answer: D,E
Rationale: Dopamine plays a role in the integration of thoughts and emotions, and excess dopamine is implicated in the thought disturbances of schizophrenia. Increased activity of norepinephrine also occurs. Substance P is most related to the pain experience. Histamine decrease is associated with depression. Increased GABA is associated with anxiety reduction.
A nurse administers a hypnotic medication that potentiates the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Which finding would be expected?
- A. Reduced anxiety
- B. Improved memory
- C. More organized thinking
- D. Fewer sensory perceptual alterations
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Increased levels of GABA reduce anxiety; thus, any potentiation of GABA action should result in anxiety reduction. Memory enhancement is associated with acetylcholine and substance P. Thought disorganization is associated with dopamine. GABA is not associated with sensory perceptual alterations.
A patient presents with anxiety, increased heart rate, and fear. The nurse would suspect the presence of a high concentration of which neurotransmitter?
- A. GABA
- B. Histamine
- C. Acetylcholine
- D. Norepinephrine
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the neurotransmitter associated with sympathetic nervous system stimulation, preparing the individual for the 'fight-or-flight' response. GABA is a mediator of anxiety level. A high concentration of histamine is associated with an inflammatory response. A high concentration of acetylcholine is associated with parasympathetic nervous system stimulation.
A patient asks a nurse, 'What are neurotransmitters? My doctor says mine are out of balance.' What is the nurse's best response?
- A. You must feel relieved to know that your problem has a physical basis.
- B. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that pass messages between brain cells.
- C. It is a high-level concept to explain. You should ask the doctor to tell you more.
- D. Neurotransmitters are substances we eat daily that influence memory and mood.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stating that neurotransmitters are chemicals that pass messages between brain cells gives the most accurate information. Neurotransmitters are messengers in the central nervous system. They are released from the axon terminal, diffuse across the synapse, and attach to specialized receptors on the postsynaptic neuron. The incorrect responses do not answer the patient's question, are demeaning, and provide untrue and misleading information.
A patient prescribed a muscarinic-receptor blocker, will require assess for what side effect?
- A. Dry mouth
- B. Gynecomastia
- C. Pseudoparkinsonism
- D. Orthostatic hypotension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Muscarinic-receptor blockade includes atropine-like side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation. Gynecomastia is associated with decreased prolactin levels. Movement defects are associated with dopamine blockade. Orthostatic hypotension is associated with ?±??-receptor antagonism.