A nurse is preparing to administer a dose of bupropion (Wellbutrin) to a client with depression. The client asks the nurse, “How does this medication work?” Which of the following responses should the nurse give?
“It blocks the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain.”
“It increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain.”
“It inhibits the breakdown of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain.”
“It enhances the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid in your brain.”
The Correct Answer is B
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is an antidepressant that works by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. These are neurotransmitters that regulate mood, motivation, and reward. By increasing their levels, bupropion can help improve your symptoms of depression.
Choice A is wrong because it describes the mechanism of action of selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as venlafaxine (Effexor) or duloxetine (Cymbalta). These drugs block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, making more of them available in the synaptic cleft.
Choice C is wrong because it describes the mechanism of action of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). These drugs inhibit the breakdown of serotonin and norepinephrine, as well as dopamine and tyramine, by the enzyme monoamine oxidase. This increases their levels in the brain, but also poses a risk of hypertensive crisis if the client consumes foods high in tyramine.
Choice D is wrong because it describes the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax). These drugs enhance the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces anxiety and induces relaxation. However, these drugs are not used to treat depression, and can cause dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
According to the web search results, akathisia is an adverse effect of haloperidol, which is a medication used to treat Tourette syndrome. Akathisia is a condition that causes restlessness and an inability to sit still.
Choice B is wrong because Dystonia is wrong because it is a condition that causes involuntary muscle contractions and abnormal postures, not restlessness.
Choice C is wrong because Tardive dyskinesia is wrong because it is a condition that causes involuntary movements of the face, tongue, and limbs, not restlessness.
Choice D is wrong because Parkinsonism is wrong because it is a condition that causes tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia, not restlessness.
Normal ranges for haloperidol are 0.5 to 20 ng/mL.
Higher levels can cause toxicity and adverse effects.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This is because fluoxetine (Prozac) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that can increase the level of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when there is too much serotonin in the body. It can cause symptoms such as agitation, confusion, tremors, muscle rigidity, fever, and seizures.
Choice A is wrong because extrapyramidal symptoms are more commonly associated with antipsychotic medications, not SSRIs. Extrapyramidal symptoms include involuntary movements, muscle spasms, and restlessness.
Choice C is wrong because neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare but serious reaction to antipsychotic medications, not SSRIs. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome causes high fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic instability.
Choice D is wrong because anticholinergic crisis is a result of excessive blockade of acetylcholine receptors by medications such as antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, and antiparkinsonian drugs. Anticholinergic crisis can cause dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, tachycardia, and delirium.
The normal range of serotonin in the blood is 101 to 283 ng/mL.
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