Exam BS Flashcards

1
Q

Pharmacological management of alcohol withdrawal

A
  • Benzodiazepines: Diazepam 5-15mg 2-3 times/day for ±5 days. Pregnant patients should have risk assessment done first
  • Daily thiamine and vitamin B complex to prevent Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
  • Disulfiram, if relapse prevention is necessary
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2
Q

4 key features of motivational interviewing

A
  • Patient centred
  • Establish rapport, be empathetic and non-judgemental
  • Facilitate patient’s movement towards change and self-sufficiency (positive affirmation)
  • Identify readiness to change, and stage of change patient is in (cycle of change)
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3
Q

Aims of CBT

A
  • Therapy that focuses on substance abuse as a disorder of beliefs, behaviour and core belief systems
  • CBT aims to modify these factors
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4
Q

Aim of psychotherapy

A

Alleviate patient’s illness by promoting the desire to change and developing the ability to cope with change

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5
Q

Psychoeducation goals

A
  • Educate patient about alcohol and drug use
  • Give input on alternative methods of coping
  • Give information on self-help groups and local facilities
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6
Q

Focus on individual in psychotherapy

A
  • Aim to understand the thoughts and feelings leading to behaviour of substance abuse
  • Explore the meaning patient attaches to alcohol abuse and dependence
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7
Q

Group therapy

A
  • Same group of individuals meet regularly with trained leader
  • Provides a public forum
  • Patients can share their experience
  • Place of support and confrontation
  • Patient can see the influence of substances in other people’s lives
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8
Q

Family therapy

A
  • Address family members that reinforce alcohol abuse/dependence
  • Allows family to describe the effects of alcohol abuse on the patient
  • Helps change family structure to prevent relapse
  • Prevents premature relapse
  • Improves outcomes
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9
Q

Define detoxification

A

Removal of toxic substances from the body using medication to reduce tolerance and alleviate withdrawal symptoms

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10
Q

Define withdrawal

A

Substance-specific syndrome following cessation/reduction in use

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11
Q

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal

A
  • Anxiety
  • Agitation
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Insomnia
  • Cravings
  • Tremor
  • Transient hallucinations
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12
Q

Time to onset of withdrawal symptoms in alcohol withdrawal?

A

6-8 hours

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13
Q

Potential complications of alcohol withdrawal

A
  • Delirium
  • Psychosis
  • Seizures
  • Suicidality
  • Hepatic disease
  • Failed out-patient detox
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14
Q

Symptoms of opioid withdrawal

A
  • GIT symptoms
  • Pain
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
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15
Q

Management of opioid withdrawal/detox

A

If mild: out-patient basis

Moderate to severe: in-patient basis, opioid substitution treatment

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16
Q

Symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal

A
  • Arousal
  • Restlessness
  • Anxiety
  • Perceptual changes
  • Autonomic hyperactivity
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17
Q

Benzodiazepine detoxification

A
  • Replace short-acting with long-acting agents
  • Use an equivalent dose
  • Decrease the dose every 2 weeks
  • Monitor and motivate
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18
Q

Management of uncomplicated alcohol withdrawal

A
  • Out-patient basis
  • Thiamine 100mg daily for 2 weeks
  • Taper diazepam over course of 1 week, starting at 5mg 6hrly, doubling time between dose after 3, then 2, then 2 days
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19
Q

Management of alcohol withdrawal delirium

A
  • Hospitalise
  • Monitor vitals regularly
  • Monitor for dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, adequate nutrition
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20
Q

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal delirium

A
  • Occurs 2-3 days after cessation of prolonged alcohol use
  • Visual hallucinations
  • Disorientation
  • Agitation
  • Tachycardia
  • Hypertension
  • Low-grade fever
  • Possible tonic-clonic seizures 24-48 hours after cessation
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21
Q

Pharmacological management of alcohol withdrawal delirium

A

Benzodiazepines:

  • Diazepam slow IV OR
  • Clonazepam IM (if IV not possible) OR
  • Lorazepam IV

Maintain mild sedation with diazepam PO

If severely agitated or restless can add neuroleptic such as haloperidol

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22
Q

Distinguish between bipolar type 1 and 2

A

Type 1:

  • One or more episodes of mania or mixed affective episode
  • Often associated with depressive symptoms

Type 2:
- Hypomania and depression

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23
Q

Pre-treatment considerations of lithium

A
  • Measure renal and thyroid function –> exclude disease
  • ECG in pt. with family history of cardiac disease or arrhythmia
  • Exclude pregnancy –> teratogenic
  • Not recommended for children < 12 y/o
  • CNS disorders (e.g. epilepsy)
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24
Q

Dose-related side effects of lithium

A
  • Ataxia (may lead to seizures)
  • Lethargy
  • Weakness
  • Drowsiness
  • GIT disturbances
  • Weight gain
  • Coarse tremor
  • Fatigue
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25
Q

Symptoms of lithium toxicity

A
  • CNS symptoms:
  • -> Mental retardation
  • -> Hyperreflexia
  • -> Tremor (fine)
  • -> Convulsions and coma

GIT symptoms:

  • -> Anorexia
  • -> Nausea and vomiting
  • -> Diarrhoea

Increased aldosterone secretion –> oedema, sodium retention
Hypothyroidism
EPSE’s

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26
Q

Management of acute manic episode

A
  1. Detailed assessment and commitment to care
  2. Safe environment for patient and others/containment
  3. Withdraw antidepressants
  4. Antipsychotic medication: one of haloperidol, chlorpromazine, risperidone depending on needs
  5. Mood stabilizers: Valproate: safe and sedates, but teratogenic; Lithium: gold standard - mainstay treatment (7-10 days until therapeutic effects felt)
  6. Benzodiazepines: Useful in acute phase for sedation: diazepam or lorazepam
  7. Electro-convulsive therapy is last-line
  8. Supportive psychotherapy for patient and family
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27
Q

Indications for second-line mood stabilisers

A
  • Inadequate response to lithium/intolerable side effects, even in combination with antipsychotic after 4 weeks
  • Persistent manic symptoms
  • Rapid cycling between states in BPMD
  • EEG abnormalities
  • Head trauma
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28
Q

Another delirium definition

A

Acute onset of state of fluctuating awareness, impairment of memory and attention, and disorganised thinking

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29
Q

Direct effects of HIV on psychiatric illnesses

A
  • Crosses BBB (Trojan horse - infected CD4 cells)
  • Directly invades brain parenchyma and causes neuronal damage
  • May present variably: psychosis, mania, depression, seizures, memory loss, dementia etc
  • Exact mechanism of effect of HIV on brain is unknown
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30
Q

Indirect effects of HIV on psychiatric illnesses

A
  • Opportunistic infections
  • Effects of ARVs on the brain
  • Increased prevalence of substance abuse in HIV patients
  • Social stigma
  • Initial shock of diagnosis
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31
Q

Mechanism of action of first gen vs second gen antipsychotics

A

First generation: D2 receptor blockade in mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways

Second generation: Serotonin receptor blockade, with lower affinity for D2 receptors

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32
Q

Pathophysiology of EPSE’s

A

Antagonistic activity at dopamine receptors in the basal ganglia and other dopamine receptor sites in the CNS

33
Q

Which autonomic nervous system receptors are antagonised by antipsychotic agents?

A

Alpha-adrenoceptors and muscarinic receptors

34
Q

What is the most common cause of neuroleptic malignant syndrome?

A

Adverse reaction to antipsychotics

35
Q

Clinical features of neuroleptic malignant syndrome?

A
  • Delirium
  • Autonomic instability
  • Muscle rigidity
  • Elevated creatinine phosphokinase
  • Leucocytosis
  • Hyperthermia
36
Q

Management of neuroleptic malignant syndrome

A
  • Withdraw antipsychotic
  • Administer a benzodiazepine
  • Monitor vital functions
  • Refer as clinically indicated
37
Q

Indications for prescription of clozapine

A
  • Treatment resistance (failure to respond to 2 classes of antipsychotics at adequate dose for sufficient time)
  • Intolerable side effects (especially EPSE’s)
  • Mood disturbances
  • Negative features
  • Neurocognitive impairments
38
Q

Major adverse effect of clozapine? How is it monitored?

A

Agranulocytosis
WBC total and differential count prior to initiating treatment, then weekly WCC total count for 18 weeks, thereafter monthly WCC total count

39
Q

What is the plasma concentration of lithium above which toxicity usually occurs?

A

1,5 mmol/L

40
Q

Disorders where benzodiazepines are classically therapeutically useful (not just for sedation)?

A
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Insomnia
  • Alcohol withdrawal
  • Seizure disorders
41
Q

Why should benzodiazepines not be prescribed for longer than 2-4 weeks?

A

High risk of developing dependency syndrome (tolerance and withdrawal)

42
Q

Mechanism of action of benzodiazepines

A

Potentiates inhibitory action of GABA by binding to benzodiazepine receptor/site on the GABA receptor complex, allosterically modulating the GABA receptor to increase the frequency at which it opens per second to allow chloride to enter the cell

43
Q

4 groups of benzodiazepines

A
  • Ultra-short: < 6 hours
  • Short: 6-12 hours
  • Intermediate: 12-24 hours
  • Long-acting: > 24 hours
44
Q

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome

A
  • Mydriasis (bilateral pupil dilation)
  • Diaphoresis (sweating)
  • Agitation
  • Autonomic instability
  • Tachycardia
  • Increased bowel sounds, diarrhoea
  • Clonus (lower extremities)
  • Tremor (lower extremities)
  • Hyperreflexia (lower extremities)
45
Q

Which drug is used to treat a benzodiazepine overdose and how does it work?

A

Flumazenil. It is a competitive inhibitor (higher concentration = more inhibition) for the benzodiazepine binding site on GABA receptors

46
Q

Most common therapeutic causes of hypothyroidism?

A
  1. Amudirol (Ca channel blocker, contains iodide)

2. Lithium

47
Q

Mechanism of action of tricyclic antidepressants

A

Block the re-uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin at presynaptic membrane, enhancing transmission of these two neurotransmitters

48
Q

Risk factors for suicidality

A

Sex - male
Age - middle-aged/elderly
Depression - or other mood disorders
Prior history/Psychosis - self-harm, suicide attempt
Ethanol or other substance abuse
Rational thinking loss/hopelessness
Social support lacking/Stressors
Organised plan
Negative life events/Neglectful parenting/No job
Suicide history in family/Sick (other medical conditions, pain)

49
Q

4 NB questions to assess suicidal patient

A
  • Likely risk of further self-harm/completed suicide?
  • Treatable mental illness?
  • What psychosocial problems need to be addressed?
  • What interventions are required to reduce their risk?
50
Q

10 questions to ask suicidal patient

A
  1. Did you intend to kill yourself?
  2. Why did you want to harm yourself?
  3. When did you first have these thoughts?
  4. Why at this time?
  5. Previous suicidal thoughts?
  6. Was act impulsive or planned?
  7. What were your expectations of what would happen?
  8. What were your thoughts before, during and after the incident?
  9. What are your thoughts now? (regret at being alive?)
  10. What are your coping strategies and support structures?
51
Q

5 causes of acute violent behaviour in a medical setting

A

Non-medical - criminal behaviour
Aggressive personality - antisocial PD
Mental illness - psychosis, mania, depression, dementia, anxiety
Substance abuse or dependance - intoxication or withdrawal
Medical conditions - delirium, epilepsy, cerebral infection, intracerebral bleed, traumatic brain injury

52
Q

3 levels of violence when performing a risk assessment, and how each level should be managed

A

Potentially violent: Prevention and management (time to plan strategy)
Urgent situation: De-escalation via calming interview
Emergent violence: Physical and/or chemical restraint

53
Q

Describe the process of de-escalation by calming interview

A
  • Approach with both hands in sight
  • Introduction
  • Safe distance
  • Voice: calm, clear, slow speech
  • Allow pt room to ventilate, clarify issues
  • “How can we help?”
  • Comply with reasonable demands from patient
  • Unreasonable demands: “promote vegetative responses that do not compliment rage”
  • Everyday activities e.g. humour, eating in a quiet space
  • Compliment on co-operativity
54
Q

What are the 5 C’s of containment?

A
  1. Be calm, and keep hands in clear site
  2. Take control, or appear to
  3. Confidently manage staff according to prearranged plan
  4. Contain patient with reassurances, move to quiet, more closed space (NB sit next to door)
  5. Control the patient either physically or pharmacologically - depending on situation, and once patient has had opportunity to co-operate
55
Q

Classes of medications used for tranquilisation

A

Benzodiazepines e.g. lorazepam

Antipsychotics e.g. haloperidol

56
Q

Stages of the cycle of violence

A

Tension-building phase:

  • Minor incidents of emotional/physical abuse
  • Victim feels growing tension
  • Avoidance by victim to control situation
  • Victim can’t control abuser

Explosion phase:
- Incident of violence occurs

Honeymoon phase:

  • Abuser is sorry
  • Abuser promises abuse will not continue
  • Idealised and romanticised period; often disappears with time
57
Q

SAFE acronym of questions to ask a patient who you suspect is a victim of intimate partner violence

A
S:
- Stress in relationship?
- Feel safe in relationship?
- Concern for safety
A:
- Ever felt afraid in relationship?
- Partner ever threatened or abused you or children?
- What happens when you and partner disagree/argue?
F:
- Friends aware you have been hurt?
- Family know about the abuse?
- Family or friends be able to support/help you?
E:
- Place to go in an emergency?
- Do you have an escape plan
58
Q

Management of intimate partner violence

A
  1. Safe environment: Confidentiality, no debriefing
  2. Diagnose and treat injuries: Check for STIs, injuries, pregnancy
  3. Educate and plan
  4. Refer as appropriate: Protection order, victim empowerment unit at police station, women’s group
  5. Follow-up plan: Depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse
59
Q

Medical causes of panic attacks

A
  • Mitral valve prolapse
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Hypoglycaemia
  • Stimulant use (amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine)
  • Medication withdrawal
60
Q

Psychiatric implications of epilepsy

A
  • Epileptic patients have higher rates of psychosis than general population
  • Higher rates of MDE, BPMD, anxiety disorder, suicidality
61
Q

Differential diagnosis of older patient with psychotic symptoms

A
  • Dementia
  • Delirium
  • Depression
  • BPMD
  • Schizophrenia
  • Delusional disorders
  • Substance-induced psychosis
  • Psychosis due to GMC
62
Q

Define pseudodementia

A

Depressive pseudodementia is a syndrome seen in older people in which they exhibit symptoms consistent with dementia but the cause is actually depression.

63
Q

Dementia vs pseudodementia

A

Dementia vs pseudodementia:

Insidious, chronic vs abrupt, acute onset
Recall incorrectly vs “I don’t know”
Poor attention and concentration vs intact attention and concentration
Indifferent, unconcerned vs upset, distressed

64
Q

Alzheimer’s dementia

A
  • Cortical
  • Extracellular plaques (beta-amyloid) and neurofibrillary tangles (intraneuronal B-amyloid)
  • Progressive, chronic onset
  • Short-term memory loss
  • Word-finding difficulties
  • Visuo-spatial difficulties
  • Deterioration of reasoning, judgement and insight
  • Hippocampus, temporal and parietal lobes atrophy
65
Q

Features of mania

A
Distractability 
Indiscretion
Grandiosity 
Flight of ideas
Agitation, activity increase
Sleep deficit
Talkativeness
66
Q

3 common mood stabilizers and 2 side effects for each

A

Lithium (ataxia, lethargy, weakness)
Epilim (GIT, fatigue, ataxia)
Lamotrigine (SJS, insomnia, toxic epidermal necrolysis)

67
Q

Medical causes of panic attacks

A
Mitral valve prolapse
Hyperthyroidism 
Hypoglycemia 
Stimulant use (caffeine)
Medication withdrawal
Anaemia
68
Q

Clinical feature of cortical vs subcortical dementia

A

Aphasia/normal vs slow/normal speech
Amnesic (storage prob) vs forgetful (retrieval prob)
Affect unchanged vs depressed/apathetic
Normal motor vs tremor, rigid, slow

69
Q

Causes of psychosis

A
HIV
Brain tumor
Syphilis
HSV encephalitis 
Stroke
Dementia
Epilepsy
Mania
Schizophrenia 
Agitated depression
Alcohol
Drugs
Lack of sleep
70
Q

What psychiatric disorders have a higher prevalence in people with epilepsy?

A
MDD
Anxiety disorder
Mood disorders
Suicidal ideation
ADHD
Psychosis
71
Q

Comment on depression and pregnancy as well as Rx

A

At risk = previous psych illness, unwanted child, substances, poor support
1 in 10 women
Often during pregnancy
Poorer growth, development and attachment

Rx - refer, destigmatise, social support
SSRIs and TCA ok in pregnancy
No mood stabilizers
Antipsychotics reasonably safe

72
Q

Discuss post partum psychosis

A
Rare <1%
Very serious
Normally affective psychosis
Labile, restless, agitated
Delusional
Homocidal
Recognize and Rx
73
Q

Discuss prementrual dystrophic disorder

A

Mood changes linked to luteal phase
Resolves at menses
Rx hormonally or intermittent SSRIs

74
Q

Rx of anxiety

A

Start low and slow
Give benzo to initiate Rx
Start with SSRIs
(Propanalol?)

75
Q

Indications for lithium

A

Prophylaxis of manic episodes
Augment antidepressants
Aggressive or self-mutilating behavior

76
Q

Management of ADHD

A
Social shit
CBT
Diet - FFAs
Stimulant - methylphenidate 
Non-stimulant - atomoxetine
77
Q

Major clinical differences between Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia

A

Alzheimer’s:

  • History: Memory loss, spatial disorientation, language failure
  • Neurology: Myoclonus, akinesia, rigidity (late)
  • Memory: Severe amnesia, high mental effort
  • Language: Aphasia

Vascular:

  • History: Mental and physical decline
  • Neurology: Pyramidal weakness, ataxia, pseudobulbar palsy
  • Memory: Variable loss, low mental effort
  • Language: Dysarthria
78
Q

Atypical depression

A
  • Some of the typical features e.g. depressed mood
  • Improved mood in light of positive events
  • Increased weight gain and appetite
  • Hypersomnia
  • Heavy sensation in the limbs (“leaden paralysis”)
  • Interpersonal rejection sensitivity (long-standing, not limited to periods of mood disturbance)
  • MAOIs are much more effective than TCAs