Registered Nurse (RN)
/
Books/
Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach/
3. Psychobiology and PsychopharmacologyAce Your Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach Classes and Exams with Picmonic: #1 Visual Mnemonic Study Tool for Registered Nurse (RN) Students
With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing. Whether you're studying for your classes or getting ready for a big exam, we're here to help.
Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach | Registered Nurse (RN) School Study Aid
Hypothalamus
- Characteristics
- Anterior Pituitary Stimulated Through the Hypophyseal Portal
- GHRH
- GnRH
- TRH
- PIF
- CRF Released During Stress
- Posterior Pituitary Stimulated Through Neural Control
3 mins
Anterior Pituitary
- Characteristics
- Hypothalamic Control
- FLAT PeG Mnemonic
- Tropic Hormones
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- Lutenizing Hormone (LH)
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
- Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Direct Hormones
- Prolactin (PRL)
- Growth Hormone (GH)
2 mins
Posterior Pituitary
- Characteristics
- Neuroendocrine Reflex Stimulation (By Hypothalamus)
- Direct Hormones
- Vasopressin
- Increased Water Retention (In Kidneys)
- Oxytocin
- Increased Uterine Contraction
- Mammary Glands Contraction
2 mins
Adrenal Gland (Basic)
- Characteristics
- Adrenal Cortex
- RAAS Stimulates Aldosterone
- CRF (CRH) acts on Anterior Pituitary Gland to Release ACTH
- Cortisol Released
- Androgens Released
- Adrenal Medulla
- Epinephrine & Norepinephrine
2 mins
Adrenal Gland (Advanced)
- Characteristics
- Adrenal Cortex
- Zona Glomerulosa
- Aldosterone
- Zona Fasciculata
- Cortisol
- Zona Reticularis
- Androgens
- Adrenal Medulla
- Chromaffin Cells
- Epinephrine & Norepinephrine
2 mins
Electrical Synapse
- Characteristics
- Cardiac and Smooth Muscle Location
- Fast Transmission
- Bidirectional
- Presynaptic Na+ Floods Through Gap Junction
- Na+ Influx Initiates Postsynaptic Action Potential
2 mins
Chemical Synapse
- Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels Open
- Ca2+ Influx
- Vesicle-Membrane Fusion
- Exocytosis of Neurotransmitter
- Neurotransmitter Binds Post-Synaptic Receptors
- Neurotransmitter Breakdown
- Neurotransmitter Reuptake
1 min
Benzodiazepines Overview
- Indications
- First Line for Status Epilepticus
- Anesthesia Induction
- Anxiety
- Eclampsia
- Detoxification
- Mechanism of Action
- '-zepam' and '-zolam" Suffix
- Increase Frequency of Cl- Channel Opening
- Side Effects
- Decrease REM Sleep
- CNS Depression
- Dependence
- Antidote
- Flumazenil for Overdose
2 mins
Zolpidem (Ambien)
- Mechanism
- Hypnotic
- Indications
- Insomnia
- Side Effects
- Daytime Drowsiness
- Bizarre Sleep Behaviors
- Sleep Driving
- Angioedema
- Considerations
- Short Term Administration
- Take Immediately Before Bedtime
1 min
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
- Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits Reuptake of Norepinephrine and Serotonin
- Indications
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Fibromyalgia
- Side Effects
- Sedation
- Orthostatic Hypotension
- Anticholinergic Effects
- Cardiac Toxicity
- Considerations
- Delayed Effect
- Do Not Stop Abruptly
2 mins
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Indications
- Indications
- Major Depression
- Bedwetting
- Fibromyalgia
- OCD
- Drugs
- -Iptyline or -Ipramine Suffix
- Amitriptyline
- Desipramine
- Clomipramine
- Imipramine
- Nortriptyline
2 mins
Buspirone (Buspar)
- Mechanism
- Increases Serotonin
- Indications
- Anxiety
- Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Considerations
- Delayed Effect
- Safer with Alcohol than Other Anxiolytics
- Low Side Effect Profile
- Low Abuse Potential
1 min
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Overview
- Indications
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mechanism of Action
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
- Drugs
- Paroxetine
- Sertraline
- Escitalopram
- Fluoxetine
- Side Effects
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Serotonin Syndrome
- Treat with Cyproheptadine
2 mins
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits Reuptake of Serotonin
- Indications
- Depression
- Side Effects
- Sexual Dysfunction
- CNS Stimulation
- Weight Changes
- Serotonin Syndrome
- Contraindications
- No MAO-Is
- No Anticoagulants / Antiplatelets
- Considerations
- Suicide Risk
- Delayed Onset of Action
2 mins
Trazodone
- Indications
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Mechanism of Action
- Inhibit Serotonin Reuptake
- Alpha-1 Blocker
- Histamine (H1) Blocker
- Side Effects
- Sedation
- Orthostatic Hypotension
- Dry Mouth
- Priapism
- Arrhythmias
2 mins
Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Indications
- Depression
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
- Duloxetine
- Panic and Anxiety
- Venlafaxine
- Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits Reuptake of Serotonin and NE
- Side Effects
- Hypertension
- Insomnia
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Decreased Libido
1 min
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAO-Is)
- Indications
- Atypical Depression
- Mechanism of Action
- Increase Levels of Amine Neurotransmitters
- Drugs
- "Takes Pride In Shanghai"
- Tranylcypromine
- Phenelzine
- Isocarboxazid
- Selegiline
1 min
Lithium
- Mechanism of Action
- Mood Stabilizer
- Unknown Mechanism
- Indications
- Bipolar Disorder
- Side Effects
- Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus
- Hypothyroidism
- Tremor
- Heart Block
- Contraindication
- Pregnancy
- Considerations
- Monitor Plasma Levels
2 mins
Valproic Acid (Depakote)
- Mechanism
- Blocks Na+ Channels
- Increases GABA Concentration
- Indications
- Tonic-clonic Seizures
- Bipolar Disorder
- Migraine Prophylaxis
- Side Effects
- Hepatotoxicity
- Blood Dyscrasias
- GI Distress
- Tremor
- Pancreatitis
1 min
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Mechanism
- Inactivates Na+ Channels
- Indications
- Seizures
- Bipolar Disorder
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Side Effects
- Nystagmus
- Ataxia
- Hepatotoxicity
- Blood Dyscrasias
- Water Retention
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- Considerations
- Avoid Grapefruit Juice
2 mins
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
- Mechanism
- Blocks Na+ Channels
- Indications
- Seizures
- Bipolar Disorder
- Side Effects
- Diplopia
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- Headache
- Aseptic Meningitis
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Considerations
- Screen for Suicide Risk
2 mins
Antipsychotics Overview
- Indications
- Schizophrenia
- Tourette's Syndrome
- Mechanism of Action
- Lipid-Soluble
- Block Dopamine Receptors
- Side Effects
- Galactorrhea
- Tardive Dyskinesia
- Anticholinergic
- Alpha1 Antagonist
2 mins
Atypical Antipsychotics
- Indications
- Schizophrenia
- Mechanism of Action
- Unknown Mechanism
- Side Effects
- Seizures
- Prolonged QT Interval
- Agranulocytosis
- Weight Gain
- Fewer Extrapyramidal Side Effects
- Fewer Anticholinergic Side Effects
2 mins
Clozapine (Clozaril)
- Mechanism
- Atypical Antipsychotic
- Indications
- Schizophrenia
- Levodopa-Induced Psychosis
- Side Effects
- Weight Gain
- Hypersalivation (Sialorrhea)
- Myocarditis
- Agranulocytosis
- Sedation
- Orthostatic Hypotension
- Constipation (Risk of Bowel Ileus)
- Considerations
- Weekly Lab Tests
2 mins
Risperidone (Risperdal)
- Mechanism
- Atypical Antipsychotic
- Indications
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar Mania
- Autism-Associated Irritability
- Side Effects
- Extrapyramidal Symptoms
- Hyperprolactinemia
- Gynecomastia
- Galactorrhea
- Amenorrhea
- Prolonged QT
- Considerations
- Intramuscular Long Acting (Depot) Form
2 mins
Aripiprazole (Abilify)
- Mechanism
- 2nd Generation Atypical Antipsychotic
- Indications
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Side Effects
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Considerations
- Low Risk of Extrapyramidal Symptoms
- Lowest Risk of Weight Gain
2 mins
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Assessment
- Assessment
- Inattention
- Incomplete Tasks
- Easily Distracted
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsiveness
- Disruptive
- Considerations
- Two Areas of Life
- Onset by Age 12
- Symptoms > 6 Months
3 mins
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Interventions
- Drug Therapy
- CNS Stimulants
- Amphetamine
- Methylphenidate
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- Atomoxetine (Strattera)
- Guanfacine (Intuniv)
- Considerations
- Manage Disruptive Behavior
- Provide Simple Instructions
2 mins
Alzheimer's Disease Assessment (Early Symptoms)
- Risk Factors
- Advanced Age
- Early Signs and Symptoms
- Poor Judgment and Decision-Making
- Difficulty Having a Conversation
- Inability to Manage a Budget
- Losing Track of the Date or Season
- Misplacing Things
1 min
Alzheimer's Disease Assessment (Late Symptoms)
- Late Signs and Symptoms
- Memory Impairment
- Wandering Behavior
- Confabulation
- Perseveration
- Lack of Abstract Thinking
- Severe Cognitive Decline
1 min
Alzheimer's Disease Interventions
- Diagnostic Tests
- PET Scan and CT
- Mini-Mental State Examination
- Interventions
- Drug Therapy
- Safe Environment
- Moderate Exercise
- Behavioral Modification
- Assistance with Functional Independence
- Assistance and Support for Caregiver
2 mins
