Investigations
1st investigations to order
serum pregnancy test (females)
Test
Negative in non-pregnant patients; positive in pregnant patients or immediately postnatal.
Result
variable
Investigations to consider
electrolytes
Test
Should be measured to rule out electrolyte abnormalities prior to commencing treatment.
Result
normal
urea
Test
Should be measured to rule out renal dysfunction prior to commencing treatment.
Result
normal
creatinine
Test
To rule out renal dysfunction prior to commencing treatment.
Result
normal
glucose
Test
Current diabetes status should be considered before prescribing certain antipsychotics that can cause weight gain and other metabolic adverse effects.
Result
normal
LFTs
Test
To rule out hepatic dysfunction prior to commencing treatment.
Result
normal
TFTs
Test
To rule out thyroid dysfunction prior to commencing treatment.
Result
normal
syphilis serology
Test
To rule out syphilis prior to commencing treatment.
Result
normal
urinalysis
Test
To rule out renal dysfunction or urinary tract infection prior to commencing treatment.
Result
normal
urine toxicology
Test
To rule out substance use prior to commencing treatment.
Result
normal
ECG
Test
Baseline ECG measures are important prior to antipsychotic treatment, particularly in people with cardiac risk factors or a family history of cardiac conduction defects.
Result
normal
CT scan brain
Test
To rule out underlying neurological conditions as causes of the psychotic symptoms.
Result
normal (excluding underlying neurological cause for symptoms)
MRI brain
Test
To rule out underlying neurological conditions as causes of the psychotic symptoms.
Result
normal (excluding underlying neurological cause for symptoms)
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