Psychopharmacology Scavenger Hunt Concept Map
As you continue to learn about psychopharmacology, you will find that medications used to treat mental health conditions are agonists across the spectrum. It will be important for you to recognize some of those medications and how they act on a variety of neurochemicals in different ways to treat the symptoms.
In this Assignment, you will “scavenger” the literature as you research the agonist spectrum and key neurotransmitters and pathways targeted in psychopharmacology. You will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge as you create a Concept Map exploring each of the agonist spectrum listed below. Support your answers with evidence-based, peer-reviewed scholarly literature. APA style format title page, citations, and references will apply.
Note: You will not set up your Assignment as a paragraph-formatted paper but, instead, as a creative, visually appealing Concept Map.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
To prepare for this Assignment:
- Review the Learning Resources assigned this week.
- Review the Concept Map resources.
- Explore the listed agonist spectrum and consider the action and receptor of each:
- Agonist
- Partial agonist
- Antagonist
- Inverse agonist
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The Assignment
You will submit a concept map exploring the four agonists on the agonist spectrum (agonist, partial agonist, antagonist, and inverse agonist) in which you:
- Describe the different characteristics of the four agonists and how each mediates distinct biological activities. Include proposed mechanisms and the receptor it is targeting.
- Identify how the P450 enzyme system plays a role in the body’s absorption, distribution, and clearance of medication.
- Scavenge the literature after describing each agonist on the spectrum for research that is based on the medications in the table below.
- Apply the medications to the appropriate agonist on the agonist spectrum in your Concept Map.
| Medications |
| Oxycodone |
| Brexpiprazole |
| Haloperidol |
| Naloxone |
| Aripiprazole |
| Amphetamine |
| Risperidone |
| Pimavanserin |
Learning Resources
- Goldin, D. S. (2023). Fast facts for psychopharmacology for nurse practitioners. Springer Publishing.
- Chapter 4, “Neurotransmitters Overview” (pp. 38–50)
- Stahl, S. M. (2021). Stahl’s essential psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical applications(5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- Chapter 3, “Ion Channels as Targets of Psychopharmacological Drug Action” (pp. 51–76)
- comLinks to an external site.. (2023). https://www.drugs.com/
Note:Please use the following resource to check the most up-to-date box warnings, FDA approvals and indications, recommendations for follow-up evaluations. changes, etc. - Simple Nursing Team. (2022, May 2). How to create a basic nursing concept mapLinks to an external site.. https://simplenursing.com/how-to-create-nursing-concept-map/
NURS_6630_Week2_Assignment_Rubric
| NURS_6630_Week2_Assignment_Rubric | ||||||
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConcept map explains the four agonists on the agonist spectrum according to different characteristics and mediation of biological activities. Concept map explains the proposed mechanism and receptor it is targeting. Identifies how the P450 enzyme system plays a role in the body’s absorption, distribution, and clearance of medication.
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|
50 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe eight (8) medications provided in the Assignment list are applied to the appropriate agonist on the agonist spectrum. |
|
30 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe concept map is correctly designed and includes creative visual aids. |
|
10 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting—English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation |
|
5 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting: The submission contains an APA format for title page, citations, and reference list. |
|
5 pts | ||||
| Total Points: 100 | ||||||