A student nurse is about to administer her client aripiprazole (Abilify) to treat both the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. What will the student nurse inform her instructor is the medication's mechanism of action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a partial agonist at dopamine type 2 (D2) and serotonin type 2 (5-HT2A) receptors. This means that it activates these receptors to a lesser degree than full agonists, which can lead to a reduction of both the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The medication does not increase norepinephrine activity or inhibit the re-uptake of serotonin at the synapse, nor does it bind to the GABA receptor.

A Student Nurse Is About to Administer Her Client Aripiprazole