Psych Tips, Techniques and Treatment Options Flashcards
(184 cards)
What is a good way to close a patient encounter
Ask the patient what their goal was for the visit
Generally how should you diagnose personality disorders
Unless a patient meets every single wicket for a disorder, use the diagnosis of Personality Disorder NOS
What treatment options should be considered when treating depression and an unresolved neurovegitative state
Consider using Buproprion first, and then adding adderall on later.
What are some common drugs that need to be titrated up and down
SSRI SNRI Benzodiazepines Lamictal Topamax Beta blockers
When should you consider do genetic testing for medical treatment in psych?
consider in patients who are low responders and have sensitivity problems with a few different classes.
Generally not beneficial in patients that have tried many different classes already
What is the benefit of using an anxiolytic over a benzodiazepine when treating anxiety
Benzo’s will only mask the problem, while anxiolytics have the ability to correct the problem.
What should you do if a patient is sensitive to a medication after beginning treatment
Switch to a different medication and start on a low dose. Titrate up slowly
What determines the interval between visits
Disease progression, patient stability and support group determines intervals.
4-6 weeks after initiating a medical change or unstable patient.
2-3 months if the patient is showing improvements but not at target
4-6 months if the patient is stable and has met or is near target
What is a good medication to start for a patient with anxiety?
Anxiety is closely related to Serotonin levels so initiate therapy with an SSRI.
If the patient is also experiencing depression, start with the lowest possible dose and titrate up slowly.
What psychiatric effect does antihypertensive medications have?
May cause depression
What cardiac effect does anti-depressants cause
Arrhythmias
If a patient is depressed and anxious but is experiencing negative sexual side effects from an SSRI, what is a good alternative
Mirtazipine
What is a serious complication of trazadone
Priapism in 1%
How is trazadone used medically
Commonly used as an adjunct of treatment with bupropion. It is also used to assist patients in sleeping
It is mainly used to treat anxiety and depression
How do you treat fibromyalgia and depression
Initiate treatment with an SNRI. Consider adding an SSRI after the SNRI has been maxed.
Be sure to monitor for symptoms of seratonin syndrome
What is a limiting side effect of duloxetine
comorbid liver disease
When adjusting dose of lamictal, what should the patient look for
a Rash. There is the potential to develop Steven-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)
Nefazadone. No longer used in the US do to what side effect
Liver dysFunction
Contraindicated in patients with a comorbid liver disease
what is the mnemonic for dementia
(DEMENTIAS) Degenerative disease Endocrine Metabolic Exogenous Neoplasm Trauma Infection Affective Disorder Stroke/Structure
what is the mnemonic for delerium
(I WATCH DEATH) Infection Withdrawal Acute metabolic/Abuse of substance Trauma CNS pathology Hypoxia Deficiencies Endocrine Acute vascular / MI Toxins or drugs Heavy metals
what is the mnemonic for a depressive episode
(SIG E CAPS) Sleep Interest Guilt Energy Concentration Appetite Psychomotor agitation or Retardation Suicidal ideation
what is the mnemonic for TCA toxicity
“Tri C’s”
convulsions
coma
cardiac arrhythmia
what is the mnemonic for mania
(DIG FAST) Distractability insomnia Grandiosity Flight of ideas Activities / Psychomotor agitation Sexual indiscretions talkativeness or pressured speech
what is the mnemonic for a personality disorder
(MEDIC) Maladaptive Enduring Deviate from cultural norms Inflexible Causes impairment in social or occupational functioning