ATI Mental Health Practice Exam Related

Review ATI Mental Health Practice Exam related questions and content

A patient with major depressive disorder is started on fluoxetine. What is a common side effect the nurse should monitor for?

  • A. Weight gain
  • B. Increased appetite
  • C. Nausea
  • D. Dry mouth
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Nausea. Fluoxetine, an SSRI antidepressant, commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea. This is due to its effect on serotonin levels in the gut. Weight gain (A) and increased appetite (B) are less common side effects of fluoxetine. Dry mouth (D) is more commonly associated with tricyclic antidepressants, not SSRIs. Monitoring for nausea is crucial to ensure patient compliance and well-being.