LSP Psychopharmacology & Medication Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which stimulant medication commonly prescribed for ADHD is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance?
- Atomoxetine (Strattera)
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin) (Correct answer)
- Guanfacine (Intuniv)
- Clonidine (Kapvay)
Correct answer: Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
Methylphenidate is a CNS stimulant classified as Schedule II due to its high abuse potential, making it one of the most regulated ADHD medications.
Question 2: Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that most commonly occurs when:
- SSRIs are taken on an empty stomach
- Multiple serotonergic agents are combined (Correct answer)
- Antipsychotics are abruptly discontinued
- Benzodiazepines are taken with alcohol
Correct answer: Multiple serotonergic agents are combined
Serotonin syndrome results from excess serotonergic activity, typically triggered by combining medications that increase serotonin levels, such as SSRIs with MAOIs or triptans.
Question 3: Which of the following is a key consideration when managing psychotropic medications in elderly clients?
- Elderly clients typically require higher doses than younger adults
- Aging alters drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, often requiring dose reductions (Correct answer)
- Medications affect elderly clients identically to younger adults
- Elderly clients are less susceptible to adverse drug interactions
Correct answer: Aging alters drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, often requiring dose reductions
Age-related reductions in kidney and liver function, altered body composition, and changes in drug metabolism require lower doses and careful monitoring in elderly patients.
Question 4: Tardive dyskinesia, characterized by involuntary repetitive movements, is a long-term side effect associated with prolonged use of:
- SSRIs
- Benzodiazepines
- Antipsychotic medications (Correct answer)
- Mood stabilizers
Correct answer: Antipsychotic medications
Tardive dyskinesia results from long-term dopamine receptor blockade by antipsychotic medications, causing supersensitivity changes that produce involuntary movements.
Question 5: In pharmacology, 'pharmacokinetics' refers to:
- The psychological effects of medications on behavior and cognition
- How the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes a drug (Correct answer)
- The therapeutic dose range within which a medication is effective
- The interaction between a medication and specific neurotransmitter receptors
Correct answer: How the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes a drug
Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to a drug through the four stages of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).
Question 6: When a client on an atypical antipsychotic reports significant weight gain and elevated blood glucose, the psychologist should:
- Advise the client to discontinue the medication immediately
- Consult with the prescribing physician about these metabolic side effects (Correct answer)
- Reassure the client that these effects are temporary and harmless
- Refer the client to a nutritionist without notifying the prescriber
Correct answer: Consult with the prescribing physician about these metabolic side effects
Metabolic side effects like weight gain and hyperglycemia increase cardiovascular risk and must be communicated to the prescriber promptly to evaluate the need for medication adjustments.
Question 7: Which medication received FDA approval for treatment-resistant depression and works through NMDA glutamate receptor antagonism?
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
- Esketamine (Spravato) (Correct answer)
- Aripiprazole (Abilify)
- Buspirone (Buspar)
Correct answer: Esketamine (Spravato)
Esketamine (Spravato), a nasal spray form of ketamine, received FDA approval for treatment-resistant depression and works by blocking NMDA glutamate receptors rather than monoamine systems.
LSP Psychopharmacology & Medication Management 2
Which stimulant medication commonly prescribed for ADHD is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance?