American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

What distinguishes Serotonin Syndrome from Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome?

1. It occurs with antipsychotics

2. It is caused by serotonin medications

3. It involves hypotension and bradycardia

4. It features hypothermia and coagulopathy

The correct answer is: It is caused by serotonin medications

Serotonin Syndrome is distinctly characterized by its association with medications that affect serotonin levels in the brain, including various antidepressants, certain pain medications, and recreational drugs. The syndrome results from excessive serotonergic activity, which can lead to a specific set of symptoms such as agitation, increased heart rate, hyperreflexia, clonus, and diarrhea. This is fundamentally different from Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), which is primarily linked to antipsychotic medications and is driven by dopaminergic blockade, manifesting with symptoms such as severe muscle rigidity, high fever, altered mental status, and autonomic dysfunction. By identifying that Serotonin Syndrome arises from serotonin medications, it becomes clear how this condition is distinct from NMS. While NMS is mainly triggered by antipsychotic drugs and is characterized by muscle rigidity and elevated temperature, Serotonin Syndrome's onset due to serotonergic agents is crucial in understanding the delineation between the two syndromes. Thus, recognizing the cause of each condition provides clarity on their symptomatic and clinical differences, underscoring the importance of monitoring medication regimens that may lead to these potentially life-threatening states.