This timely resource is the first handbook to give nurse practitioners guidance to prescribe, monitor, assess, educate, and advocate for patients taking psychiatric medications and promote safe practice outcomes. Written in a concise, bulleted style for quick access to critical information, this practical resource covers the key aspects of psychotropic medications used in general psychiatry, offers strategies to simplify medication decision-making, and provides evidence-based best practice recommendations to select and manage psychotropic medications.
This resource begins with an overview of general pharmacological principles, a brief discussion of neurotransmitters, and covers rationale for medication use and the risks and benefits of the major classes of psychotropic medications. This is followed by information about common drugs across drug classes divided by age population. Each drug includes initial dosing and adjustments, simplified diagnostic criteria, practice management, rationale for use, black box warnings, drug interactions, identification of side effects and adverse reactions, basic lab test recommendations, treatment options, and self-management strategies. The book ends with important concepts for patient and/or caregiver education and advocacy. Tables and "Fast Facts" boxes throughout highlight key information. Chapters begin with learning objectives and include references, website resources, and recommendations for additional reading.
Key Features:
- Follows a lifespan approach to psychiatric mental health pharmacology
- Provides population-specific treatment approaches for optimal medical decision-making
- Highlights critical information with "Fast Facts" boxes
- Delivers essential knowledge included in board certification exams
- Contains critical-thinking questions in each chapter to reinforce content
Goldin, Deana Shevit: -
Deana Shevit Goldin, PhD, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Florida International University. She is a nationally certified Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a fellow of the Integrative Psychiatry Institute. Dr. Goldin graduated from the University of Miami, Nova Southeastern University, Johns Hopkins University and the Integrative Psychiatry Institute. Dr. Goldin has a broad background in healthcare with specific training in family practice and mental health across the lifespan and works with diverse populations. Her practice experiences lead to her observations that numerous clinical problems she encountered had significant psychological components, therefore, Dr. Goldin has published numerous articles focusing on uncommon and subtle psychiatric conditions that could easily be overlooked in primary care settings Through her assessments she has become a leader in raising awareness and educating clinicians on the critical need to identify, manage, and appropriately recognize mental health disorders in primary care settings.
