In a previous post, I asserted that there are no single genes that are strongly associated with conventional mental illnesses (depression, schizophrenia, etc). However, there are individual genes linked to familial forms of neurodegeneration that do warrant a mention. In …
In this third post in a series on Genomic Medicine in Mental Health Nursing, we will examine how chromosomal changes and gene copy number variation can result in syndromic presentations that have a strong mental health component to them. This …
Metabolic syndrome puts a name to a phenomenon we will all be familiar with as RMNs. It’s both a life-threatening and commonplace adverse effect of commonly-used mental health medications. However, nurses can encourage a range of interventions to significantly reduce the likelihood of it developing. In other words, RMNs need to know about metabolic syndrome. …
Mental health service users are more likely than the general population to experience cardiovascular disease. This may be due to ischaemic events through stress or an unhealthy lifestyle, or they can arise from drug-induced QT interval prolongation. As a result, RMNs are likely to encounter service users who require an electrocardiogram (ECG). This post provides …
Learn about the signs and symptoms of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), what causes it, who is most at risk from developing it, how to manage it, and what it has to do with the purple patches in the picture here. Imagine this scenario: There has been a new admission to an acute ward. The service …
You are probably very familiar with giving PRN Procyclidine to help patients with extrapyrimidal side effects… but it is worth knowing that occasionally dystonic reactions can be so severe, they can be life-threatening. This post should help you: Identify those most at risk of acute dystonic reaction Understand and identify what are the most life-threatening …
Learn about different types of white blood cell, the range of things that can cause agranulocytosis, what the symptoms of agranulocytosis are, and view Trust guidelines on how to manage clozapine. You’ll know that clozapine can cause agranulocytosis and neutropenia, but unless you work in a Clozapine Clinic, you may not know what these …
Learn about what Acquired Long QT Syndrome is, how it presents, what can induce it, and what mental health medications are associated with it. How much attention have you drawn to the advice at the top of the Section of Antipsychotics in the BNF? On this page, have a look at point 4 of …
