title: Psychopharmacology: an update for psychiatric home care.
abstract: Psychopharmacology is a critical component of psychiatric home care. Nurses play an important role in medication management for patients who require this intervention. Knowledge of psychopharmacologic assessment, phases of psychopharmacologic treatment, psychobiology, and critical issues related to specific classes of medication is essential in developing a treatment plan with the patient and implementing it. Recent psychobiology research has indicated the importance of neurotransmitters, genetics, and the effect of the immune and endocrine systems. Critical issues related to anxiolytic medications, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotic (neuroleptic) medications are described.
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Finkelman
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs