A nurse is teaching a client about antipsychotic medications. Which neurotransmitters do antipsychotics primarily target?
Serotonin and dopamine.
Acetylcholine and norepinephrine.
GABA and glutamate.
Dopamine and GABA.
The Correct Answer is A
Antipsychotics primarily target serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that are involved in psychosis and other mental disorders. Antipsychotics reduce or increase the effect of these neurotransmitters in the brain to regulate their levels and reduce psychotic symptoms.
Choice B is wrong because acetylcholine and norepinephrine are not the main neurotransmitters affected by antipsychotics. Acetylcholine is involved in memory and learning, while norepinephrine is involved in arousal and stress. Antipsychotics may have some effects on these neurotransmitters, but they are not their primary targets.
Choice C is wrong because GABA and glutamate are not the main neurotransmitters affected by antipsychotics. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neuronal activity, while glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter that increases neuronal activity. Antipsychotics may have some effects on these neurotransmitters, but they are not their primary targets.
Choice D is wrong because dopamine and GABA are not the main neurotransmitters affected by antipsychotics. As mentioned above, dopamine is one of the primary targets of antipsychotics, but GABA is not. Antipsychotics may have some effects on GABA, but they are not their primary targets.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Antipsychotic medications are used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and delusional disorder. They work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, which reduces the positive symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations, delusions, and agitation. However, antipsychotic medications also have many adverse effects, some of which are related to their dopamine-blocking action and some of which are related to their effects on other neurotransmitters such as serotonin, acetylcholine, histamine, and norepinephrine.
Some of the common adverse effects of antipsychotic medications are:
• Sedation: This is caused by the blockade of histamine receptors in the brain and can affect alertness, concentration, and coordination.
Sedation is more common with older antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine and haloperidol than with newer ones such as risperidone and quetiapine.
• Dry mouth: This is caused by the blockade of acetylcholine receptors in the salivary glands and can lead to dental problems, difficulty swallowing, and increased thirst.
Dry mouth is more common with older antipsychotics than with newer ones.
• Blurred vision: This is also caused by the blockade of acetylcholine receptors in the eye muscles and can affect visual acuity and accommodation.
Blurred vision is more common with older antipsychotics than with newer ones.
• Weight gain: This is caused by the blockade of serotonin receptors in the hypothalamus and can lead to increased appetite, metabolic changes, and obesity.
Weight gain is more common with newer antipsychotics such as olanzapine and clozapine than with older ones.
Therefore, weight loss is not a common adverse effect of antipsychotic medications and is the correct answer.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Antipsychotic medications can cause various adverse effects depending on the type and dose of the medication. This statement indicates that the client understands that antipsychotic drugs are not free of side effects and that they may vary in severity and type.
Choice A is wrong because antipsychotic medications do have adverse effects, such as extrapyramidal effects, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, and agranulocytosis.
Choice B is wrong because antipsychotic medications can have more than mild adverse effects, such as drowsiness.Some of the adverse effects can be serious and life-threatening, such as neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Choice D is wrong because antipsychotic medications do not only cause serious adverse effects.Some of the adverse effects can be mild and manageable, such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation.
Normal ranges for blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and white blood cell count are:
• Blood pressure: 120/80 mmHg
• Pulse: 60-100 beats per minute
• Temperature: 36.5-37.5°C (97.7-99.5°F)
• White blood cell count: 4.5-11 x 10^9/L
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