Pharmacology of Drugs Acting on Cardiovascular System Slideshare Related

Review Pharmacology of Drugs Acting on Cardiovascular System Slideshare related questions and content

The nurse is reviewing medications used for depression. Which of these statements is a reason that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are more widely prescribed today than tricyclic antidepressants?

  • A. SSRIs have fewer sexual side effects.
  • B. Unlike tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs do not have drug-food interactions.
  • C. Tricyclic antidepressants cause serious cardiac dysrhythmias if an overdose occurs.
  • D. SSRIs cause a therapeutic response faster than tricyclic antidepressants.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Tricyclic antidepressants cause serious cardiac dysrhythmias if an overdose occurs. Tricyclic antidepressants have a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that even a small overdose can lead to severe toxicity, including cardiac dysrhythmias that can be life-threatening. This risk of overdose toxicity is a significant concern with tricyclic antidepressants and contributes to their decreased use compared to SSRIs.

A: SSRIs having fewer sexual side effects is not the primary reason for their wider use compared to tricyclic antidepressants. While this may be a consideration for some patients, it is not the main factor influencing prescribing patterns.

B: Drug-food interactions are indeed a concern with tricyclic antidepressants, but it is not the primary reason why SSRIs are more widely prescribed today. While SSRIs may have a lower risk of drug-food interactions, it is not the main driving factor behind their increased use.

D: While SSRIs may have