A nurse new to psychiatry asks her colleague why the newer atypical antipsychotic medications do not cause as many EPSEs as do the conventional antipsychotic medications. Which response, if made by the nurse, is correct?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The newer atypical antipsychotic medications have less affinity for dopamine receptors and also bind to serotonin receptors, which reduces the likelihood of EPSEs. Unlike conventional antipsychotic medications, which primarily act on dopamine receptors in the brain, atypical antipsychotics target both dopamine and serotonin receptors. This reduces the risk of EPSEs because serotonin has an inhibitory effect on the dopamine system. Therefore, option C is the correct response. Option A is incorrect because atypical antipsychotics do not mask EPSEs; they simply have a lower risk of causing them. Option B is incorrect because atypical antipsychotics act on multiple dopamine pathways, not just the lower extrapyramidal pathway. Option D is incorrect because the newer antipsychotics do impact dopamine, but they also have an effect on serotonin receptors.

A Nurse New to Psychiatry Asks Her Colleague Why the Newer