Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumBipolar and Related Disorders

When managing patients with bipolar disorder, establishing an appropriate baseline before initiating pharmacotherapy is essential for long-term safety and adverse effect monitoring. Match each psychotropic medication below with its most critical baseline laboratory screening parameters.

  • LithiumThyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), serum creatinine, and serum calcium
  • ValproateLiver function tests and platelet count
  • CarbamazepineComplete blood count, serum sodium, and HLA-B*1502 screening
  • OlanzapineFasting lipid panel, fasting plasma glucose, and waist circumference

Answer

Lithium matches with TSH/creatinine/calcium; Valproate matches with liver function/platelets; Carbamazepine matches with CBC/sodium/HLA-B*1502; Olanzapine matches with metabolic screening.
Each correct pairing directly aligns the psychotropic medication with its most dangerous or common adverse effect profile, ensuring that pre-existing abnormalities are identified before starting a medication that could exacerbate them.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary mechanism of action, metabolism, and major toxicities associated with each psychotropic medication.
Lithium affects kidneys/thyroid/parathyroid; Valproate is hepatotoxic and suppresses platelets; Carbamazepine causes marrow suppression, SIADH, and dermatologic reactions; Olanzapine causes metabolic syndrome.
Understanding the organ systems most at risk of drug-induced injury directly dictates the necessary baseline monitoring.
2
Pair the identified toxicities with their corresponding baseline screening laboratory tests.
Lithium pairs with renal and endocrine tests (right_1); Valproate pairs with hepatic and coagulation parameters (right_2); Carbamazepine pairs with hematologic, electrolyte, and genetic screens (right_3); Olanzapine pairs with metabolic parameters (right_4).
To ensure a safe baseline is established before exposing the patient to the medication.

Key Concept

Baseline laboratory monitoring for pharmacotherapy in Bipolar Disorder
Rate this question

Topics

Bipolar and Related Disorders

More questions from this topic