Foundational Neuroscience
Explain the agonist-to-antagonist spectrum of action of
psychopharmacologic agents: To effectively diagnose and create a treatment plan
for a patient the psychiatric mental health nurse pract
...
Foundational Neuroscience
Explain the agonist-to-antagonist spectrum of action of
psychopharmacologic agents: To effectively diagnose and create a treatment plan
for a patient the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner must have knowledge of
the agonist-to-antagonist spectrum and its effect on psychopharmacologic agents.
When a patient is prescribed a psychopharmacologic agent the goals of the agent is
to change a patient’s behavior by changing their perception, and way of thinking and
feeling. The agent of choice will either increase activity at the synapse, or decrease
activity at the synapse. When activity is increase at the synapse it is known as
agonist. When activity is decrease at the synapse it is known as antagonist (Barron,
2018). The role of the agonist is to tie to a receptor site and create a response by
stimulating an action. On the other hand an antagonist works against the chosen
drug and obstructs the response of the drug (Prabhat, 2010).
Compare and contrast the actions of g couple proteins and ion gated
channels: Both are located in the membrane and signal transduction, however have
different actions. G-protein use protein kinase to react to the binding of a molecule
responsible for signaling by activating a G protein. The ion gated channels actions
include gating the flow of ions between the cell membrane by allowing specific ions
(like Ca2+, Cl-, Na+, or K+) to travel back and forth between the membrane
(wikibooks, 2017). This action establishes a resting membrane potential, and forming
action potentials.
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