Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

NURS 503 > Mental Health in Adults > Flashcards

Mental Health in Adults Flashcards

(46 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is the most common class of mental disorders?

A

Anxiety disorders

  • Phobias are the leading cause
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What two conditions are often associated with GAD?

A
  • Mixed headache
  • IBS
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Common complaints patients present with if you suspect anxiety

A

Worry, anxiety, fear

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Anxiety physical complaints

A
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Cognitive changes
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Other psychiatric illnesses (depression, SUD)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the definition of GAD?

A

Excessive anxiety and worry about a number of events or activities

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Diagnostic considerations for anxiety

A

Must meet criteria in DSM-5 with symptoms being at a moderate to severe level impacting hygiene, relationships, employment, education

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Screening tools that can be used for anxiety

A
  • GAD-7
  • PC-PTSD
  • SPIN
  • PHQ-SADS
  • PHQ-15
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Diagnostic tests and labs for anxiety

A
  • Complete physical exam
  • Thorough ROS
  • CBC, CMP, TSH, vitamin B12, electrolytes
  • Toxicology screen
  • ECG (if necessary)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

When is a mental health referral indicated for patients with anxiety? To the ED?

A
  • Mental health referral if not responding to first line medications
  • ED referral if at risk for harming themselves or others
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Pharmacotherapy management for anxiety

A
  • Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs)
  • Benzodiazepines (acute anxiety)
  • Buspirone (for GAD only)
  • Atypical antipsychotics
    • Monitor for metabolic disorder
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

When prescribing medications for anxiety, how long should therapy continue?

A

Medications should be continued for at least 6-12 months after symptoms have resolved

  • To avoid relapse
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Benzodiazepines should not be prescribed for what disorder?

A

Insomnia

  • Can cause rebound insomnia when benzodiazepine is discontinued
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What classification of medication is contraindicated for patients with a history of risk for suicide?

A

TCAs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Common clinical presentation of unipolar depression

A
  • Disinterest
  • Persistent sadness
  • Helplessness
  • Pessimism
  • Worthlessness
  • Guilt
  • Tiredness
  • Confusion
  • Irritability
  • Decreased concentration
  • Diminished hygiene
  • Increased alcohol intake
  • Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
  • Thoughts of death
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Common clinical presentation of bipolar disorder

  • Bipolar I
A
  • Mania
  • Hypomania
  • Severe depression
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Common clinical presentation of bipolar disorder

  • Bipolar II
A
  • History of hypomania and major depression
  • NO manic episodes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Common clinical presentation of bipolar disorder (general)

A
  • Profound depression
  • Several days of reduced or no sleep without fatigue
  • Mood swings
  • Racing thoughts
  • Irritability and irrationality
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Clinical presentation of seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

A

Symptoms associated with bipolar I and II but related to changes in season (especially during fall and winter)

  • Hypomania
  • Mania
  • Depression
  • Carbohydrate craving
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

If a patient is taking medications for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), when should they wean off their medications?

Study These Flashcards
A

Can wean off during warmer months

20
Q

What is normally the first sign of depression in children/adolescents/adults and older adults?

Study These Flashcards
A

Children, adolescents, adults → irritability

Older adults → cognitive dysfunction

21
Q

Non pharmacologic management of depression and bipolar disorder

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Psychotherapy
  • CBT
  • Family therapy
  • Substance use counseling
  • Promote healthy lifestyle changes
  • SAD → bright light therapy
  • Bipolar → ECT
22
Q

Medications for depression therapy

Study These Flashcards
A
  • SSRIs
  • SNRIs
  • Atypical antidepressants
  • TCAs
  • MAOIs
23
Q

What patient education should be mentioned with MAOI therapy?

Study These Flashcards
A

Avoid foods high in tyramine

  • Aged cheese, sauerkraut, cured meats, draft beer, fermented soy products
24
Q

Indications for immediate referral for patients with substance use disorder

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Withdrawal seizures (from benzodiazepines or alcohol withdrawal)
  • Delirium tremens
  • Overdose
  • Suicidality/homicidality/psychosis
  • Ready for treatment
25
What is tolerance?
A person no longer responds to a drug in the way they did at first, so it takes a higher dose of the drug to achieve the same effect as when the person first used it
26
What is dependence and withdrawal?
Dependence means that when a person stops using a drug, their body goes through “withdrawal” * A group of physical and mental symptoms that can range from mild to life-threatening
27
What substances are considered CNS sedatives?
* Alcohol * Barbiturates * Benzodiazepines * Opioids
28
What substances are considered CNS stimulants?
* Cocaine * Amphetamines
29
What substances are considered psychotomimetic and hallucinogens?
* PCP * LSD * Inhalants * Anabolic steroids * Injection drug use
30
If a patient presents with acute pain, can the provider prescribe opioids?
Yes - start with immediate release opioids * Prescribe only for \<3 days or 7 days maximum * Reevaluate every 3 months
31
How would patients with substance use disorder (SUD) initially present?
Behavioral problems appear first * Early manifestations of addiction are rarely apparent with routine examination
32
Clinical presentation of CNS sedatives
* Tranquilization * Fine lateral or coarse nystagmus * Decreased alertness (intoxication) * Ataxia * Slurred speech * Sedation (moderate intoxication) * Somnolence * Staggering * Dysarthria * Coma * Respiratory depression and death
33
Clinical presentation of opioid addiction
* Euphoria * Calmness * Sedation * Constricted pupils * Decreased RR and bowel motility * Mildly decreased BP and HR * N/V * Generalized itchiness
34
Clinical presentation of stimulant use
* Enhanced state of alertness * High energy * Euphoria * Appetite suppression * Decreased need for sleep
35
Clinical presentation of hallucinogen use
* Extreme euphoria to severe depression/paranoia/panic or transient psychosis * Pupil dilation * Tachycardia or HTN * Hyperthermic crisis → dry skin, agitation, muscle hypertonicity, seizures
36
Clinical presentation of cannabis use
* Euphoria * Relaxation * Altered sensory perception
37
Alcohol withdrawal begins __ hours after the patient's last drink, and can last 1-2 days
6-24 hours
38
How soon does delirium tremens occur after alcohol consumption?
Occurs within 72-96 hours after last alcohol consumption
39
Signs and symptoms of delirium tremens
* Severe tachycardia * Tremor * Confusion * Hallucinations * Agitation * Diaphoresis * Fever * Seizures
40
Screening tools for substance use disorder (SUD)
AUDIT and CRAFFT for alcohol DAST-10 for SUD
41
Lab tests that can be ordered for patients with substance use disorder (SUD)
* CBC, CMP, BUN, creatinine, LFT, glucose, electrolytes * Hepatitis panel * HIV screening * HCG test * Thyroid test * Drug screening
42
Alcohol abuse lab findings
* AST to ALT ratio of 2:1 → alcohol related liver disease * Elevated GGT (most sensitive marker of excessive alcohol use) * Elevated MCV * Elevated CDT
43
Gold standard medication for alcohol withdrawal
Benzodiazepines (based on CIWA score)
44
Medication for opioid overdose
Naloxone
45
SSRI and SNRI side effects
* Sexual dysfunction * Nausea, diarrhea, constipation * Dry mouth * Headache * Dizziness * Insomnia
46
TCA side effects
* Drowsiness, fatigue, sedation * Dry mouth * Weight gain

NURS 503 (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions