Identify Psychotropic Medications - Licensed Master Social Worker LMSW
- Which medication is a benzodiazepine commonly used short term for acute anxiety?
- Lorazepam. Lorazepam enhances GABA activity at benzodiazepine receptors, providing rapid anxiolytic effects suitable for short-term use.
- What is a classic early sign of lithium toxicity that a client may report?
- Coarse tremor. Early lithium toxicity disrupts neuronal function, manifesting as a coarse tremor due to its effects on the central nervous system.
- Which non-benzodiazepine medication is commonly used for generalized anxiety and is non-sedating?
- Buspirone. Buspirone acts as a serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonist, reducing anxiety without causing sedation or dependence like benzodiazepines.
- What psychotropic medication class is fluoxetine (Prozac) in?
- SSRI antidepressant. Fluoxetine selectively inhibits serotonin reuptake, classifying it as an SSRI used primarily for treating depression and anxiety disorders.
- Which antipsychotic adverse effect is suggested by fever, rigidity, and autonomic instability?
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). NMS is a rare but life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics involving dopamine blockade, leading to muscle breakdown and vital instability.
- Which antidepressant class commonly causes hypertensive crisis with tyramine foods?
- MAOIs. MAOIs inhibit monoamine oxidase, preventing tyramine breakdown and leading to norepinephrine release that causes hypertensive crisis.
- Which second-generation antipsychotic is most associated with metabolic syndrome and weight gain?
- Olanzapine. Olanzapine blocks serotonin and dopamine receptors, disrupting metabolic regulation and leading to insulin resistance and obesity.
- Which antidepressant is contraindicated in bulimia or seizure disorder due to seizure risk?
- Bupropion. Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold by affecting norepinephrine and dopamine, posing risks in conditions with seizure predisposition.
- Which medication for opioid use disorder is a full opioid agonist with QT prolongation risk?
- Methadone. Methadone fully activates mu-opioid receptors for maintenance therapy but can prolong cardiac QT intervals, risking arrhythmias.
- Which SSRI is most associated with discontinuation syndrome when stopped abruptly?
- Paroxetine. Paroxetine's short half-life leads to rapid serotonin level drops upon cessation, triggering withdrawal symptoms like dizziness and irritability.
- Which antidepressant is most associated with weight gain and sedation among common options?
- Mirtazapine. Mirtazapine antagonizes histamine and serotonin receptors, promoting appetite increase and drowsiness as prominent effects.
- Which medication is a mood stabilizer that requires blood level monitoring and hydration counseling?
- Lithium. Lithium's narrow therapeutic index necessitates monitoring to prevent toxicity, while adequate hydration maintains stable blood levels.
- Which alpha-2 agonist for ADHD commonly causes sedation and hypotension?
- Clonidine. Clonidine stimulates alpha-2 receptors to reduce sympathetic outflow, resulting in lowered blood pressure and sedative effects.
- What medication for opioid use disorder is a partial opioid agonist that can precipitate withdrawal?
- Buprenorphine. Buprenorphine binds to mu-opioid receptors with partial activation, displacing full agonists and inducing withdrawal in dependent individuals.
- What antipsychotic side effect is characterized by lip-smacking and choreiform movements?
- Tardive dyskinesia. Tardive dyskinesia results from long-term dopamine receptor blockade by antipsychotics, causing involuntary movements in the face and limbs.
- What endocrine side effect is most associated with risperidone due to prolactin elevation?
- Galactorrhea or amenorrhea. Risperidone's strong dopamine D2 blockade inhibits prolactin regulation, causing hyperprolactinemia and related reproductive effects.
- Which medication for alcohol use disorder can cause an aversive reaction with alcohol ingestion?
- Disulfiram. Disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing acetaldehyde accumulation that produces nausea and flushing upon alcohol consumption.
- What is the key anticholinergic side effect cluster of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?
- Dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision. TCAs block muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, leading to peripheral anticholinergic effects on salivary, gastrointestinal, and ocular systems.
- What is the most clinically important serious adverse effect of clozapine?
- Agranulocytosis (severe neutropenia). Clozapine can suppress bone marrow function, resulting in a dangerous drop in white blood cells that requires regular monitoring.
- What is the most important safety risk of benzodiazepines, especially with alcohol or opioids?
- Respiratory depression and overdose. Benzodiazepines potentiate CNS depression when combined with other sedatives, heightening the risk of fatal respiratory suppression.
- Which mood stabilizer is strongly associated with neural tube defects in pregnancy?
- Valproate (valproic acid/divalproex). Valproate interferes with fetal neural tube closure during early pregnancy, increasing the risk of congenital malformations.
- What potentially life-threatening skin reaction is most associated with lamotrigine?
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Lamotrigine can trigger an immune-mediated hypersensitivity reaction, leading to severe skin blistering and organ involvement.
- Which antidepressant class is most dangerous in overdose due to lethal arrhythmias?
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). TCAs inhibit sodium channels in the heart, potentially causing fatal ventricular arrhythmias in cases of overdose.
- Which stimulant used for ADHD commonly causes decreased appetite and insomnia?
- Methylphenidate. Methylphenidate increases dopamine and norepinephrine, suppressing hunger signals and stimulating wakefulness that disrupts sleep.
- What is a common sexual side effect associated with SSRIs?
- Decreased libido or delayed orgasm. SSRIs increase serotonin levels, which can interfere with sexual function by affecting arousal and orgasm pathways in the brain.