NIMHANS Nursing Officer - 2019
Pharmacology
Easy
Which is not an Antipsychotic?
Appeared in: NIMHANS Nursing Officer - 2019
Explanation
- Diazepam is the correct answer because it is not an antipsychotic.
- It belongs to the benzodiazepine class of drugs, which are primarily used as anxiolytics (to reduce anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.
- The mechanism of action for benzodiazepines involves enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain.
- This mechanism is distinct from antipsychotic drugs, which primarily act on dopamine and serotonin receptors to manage symptoms of psychosis.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: Risperidone is an atypical (second-generation) antipsychotic medication.
- Option C: Olanzapine is an atypical (second-generation) antipsychotic medication.
- Option D: Haloperidol is a typical (first-generation) antipsychotic medication.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Drug Classification: Antipsychotics vs. Benzodiazepines as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Nurses must be able to differentiate between drug classes to ensure safe medication administration and anticipate potential adverse effects.
- Monitoring for a patient on Haloperidol would focus on signs of EPS (tremors, rigidity, akathisia), while a patient on Olanzapine requires monitoring of weight, blood glucose, and lipid levels due to metabolic risks.
- A patient taking Diazepam must be monitored for sedation, respiratory depression, and signs of dependence or withdrawal.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the negative keyword 'NOT' in the question stem. This means you are looking for the option that does not fit the category of 'Antipsychotic'.
- Review each option and recall its primary drug classification.
- Categorize Risperidone: This is a well-known atypical antipsychotic.
- Categorize Diazepam: This is a classic benzodiazepine, used for anxiety and seizures.
- Categorize Olanzapine: This is another common atypical antipsychotic.
- Categorize Haloperidol: This is a standard typical antipsychotic.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Drug Classification: Antipsychotics vs. Benzodiazepines
- Stem keywords: Antipsychotic
- Lead-in keywords: not
- Negative lead-in flag: Question asks to identify the option that does NOT belong to the specified class.
Question ID
QGOgQkbhnRlRAtMLEx3Q0p
Reference Book
E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 14353-14355, 9930-9932
E6 Pharmacology KD Tripathi Essentials 9e Part 2 p. 108-110
Practise the full NIMHANS Nursing Officer - 2019
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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