Psychopharmacology: A Comprehensive Guide to Mental Health Medications

Contact Hour(s): 

2 Contact Hours including 2 Advanced Pharmacology Hours

Author:

Mariya Rizwan, PharmD

This peer-reviewed course is applicable for the following professions: 

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), Midwife (MW), Nursing Student, Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Nurse Practitioner

Accreditations: 

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Course Description:

This course discusses antipsychotic medications, including their mechanisms of action, receptor targets, and clinical indications across various psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and psychosis. Participants will gain insight into standard dosing guidelines and routes of administration to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Special considerations for prescribing in older adults, individuals with hepatic or renal impairment, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding will be discussed to ensure safe and effective treatment. The course also covers common and serious side effects of antipsychotic medications, along with crucial safety precautions and contraindications.

Outcomes:

≥ 92% of participants will know about psychopharmacology and medications used for mental health conditions.

Objectives:

After completing this continuing education course, the participant will be able to:

1. Describe the mechanisms of action of various psychopharmacological medications.
2. List the available medicinal forms of psychopharmacological medications and their clinical uses.
3. Outline standard doses and routes for psychopharmacological medications.
4. Summarize contraindications and cautions when prescribing psychopharmacological medications.
5. Identify the side effects of psychopharmacological medications.

Disclosures:

CEUFast Inc. and the course planning team for this educational activity do not have any relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.