Psychosis and schizophrenia greatly impact the brain’s normal processes, which interfere with the ability to think clearly. When symptoms of these disorders are uncontrolled, patients may struggle to function in daily life. However, patients often thrive when properly diagnosed and treated under the close supervision of a psychiatric mental health practitioner. For this Assignment, you will develop a study guide for an assigned psychotropic agent for treating patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders. You will share your study guide with your colleagues. In sum, these study guides will be a powerful tool in preparing for your course and PMHNP certification exam.
TO PREPARE FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT:
- Review this week’s Learning Resources, including the Medication Resources indicated for this week.
- Reflect on the psychopharmacologic treatments you might recommend for treatment of patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders.
- Research your assigned psychotropic medication agent using the Walden Library. Then, develop an organizational scheme for the important information about the medication.
- Review Learning Resource: Utah State University. (n.d.). Creating study guides. https://www.usu.edu/academic-support/test/creating_study_guidesLinks to an external site.
THE ASSIGNMENT
Create a study guide for your assigned psychotropic medication agents. Your study guide should be in the form of an outline with references, and you should incorporate visual elements such as concept maps, charts, diagrams, images, color coding, mnemonics, and/or flashcards. Be creative! It should not be in the format of an APA paper. Your guide should be informed by the FDA-approved and Evidenced-Based, Clinical Practice Guidelines Research but also supported by at least three other scholarly resources.
Areas of importance you should address, but are not limited to, are:
- Title page
- Description of the Psychopharmacological medication agent including brand and generic names and appropriate FDA indication uses
- Any supporting, valid and reliable research for non-FDA uses
- Drug classification
- The medication mechanism of action
- The medication pharmacokinetics
- The medication pharmacodynamics
- Mechanism of Action
- Appropriate dosing, administration route, and any considerations for dosing alterations
- Considerations of use and dosing in specific specialty populations to consider children, adolescents, elderly, pregnancy, suicidal behaviors, etc.
- Definition of Half-life, why half-life is important, and the half-life for your assigned medication
- Side effects/adverse reaction potentials
- Contraindications for use including significant drug to drug interactions
- Overdose Considerations
- Diagnostics and labs monitoring
- Comorbidities considerations
- Legal and ethical considerations
- Pertinent patient education considerations
- Reference Page
Title Page
- Title: Study Guide for [Medication Name]
- Your Name
- Date
Description of the Psychopharmacological Medication Agent
- Brand and Generic Names
- FDA-Approved Indications
- Supporting Research for Non-FDA Uses
Drug Classification
- Classification of Medication
Medication Mechanism of Action
- How the Medication Works in the Body
Medication Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion
Medication Pharmacodynamics
- How the Medication Affects Body Functions
Appropriate Dosing and Administration
- Recommended Dose
- Administration Route
- Considerations for Dosing Alterations
Dosing in Specialty Populations
- Children
- Adolescents
- Elderly
- Pregnancy
- Suicidal Behaviors
- Etc.
Half-life and Its Importance
- Definition of Half-life
- Why Half-life is Important
- Half-life for Assigned Medication
Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
- Common Side Effects
- Serious Adverse Reactions
Contraindications and Drug Interactions
- Conditions or Medications that Should Not Be Combined with the Medication
- Significant Drug-Drug Interactions
Overdose Considerations
- Signs and Symptoms of Overdose
- Treatment for Overdose
Diagnostics and Labs Monitoring
- Lab Tests to Monitor While on Medication
Comorbidities Considerations
- Conditions that May Influence Medication Use
Legal and Ethical Considerations
- Legal and Ethical Issues Associated with Medication Use
Pertinent Patient Education Considerations
- What Patients Need to Know About the Medication
Reference Page
- List of At Least Three Scholarly Resources and FDA-Approved Guidelines Used for Information
Additionally, you can include visual elements such as concept maps, charts, diagrams, images, color coding, mnemonics, and/or flashcards to make your study guide more engaging and informative. Ensure that your study guide is well-organized and easy to follow.