Nokea
When the client asks the nurse how long it will take before the SSRI antidepressant medication will be effective, which of the following replies is most accurate and therapeutic?
- A. This is a good medication! It will be effective within 20 minutes of the first dose.
- B. You will have gradual improvement in symptoms over the next few weeks, but the changes may be so subtle that you may not notice them for a while. It is important for you to keep taking the medication.
- C. It will probably take months for the medication to work. In the meantime, you should work on improving your attitude.
- D. If you believe it will work, then it will. You have to have faith!
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs typically take 2-3 weeks to show effectiveness, with gradual symptom improvement that may be subtle initially, requiring continued adherence.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse knows that the client understands the rationale for dietary restrictions when taking MAOI when the client makes which of the following statements?
- A. I am now allergic to foods that are high in the amino acid tyramine such as aged cheese, organ meats, wine, and chocolate.
- B. Certain foods will cause me to have sexual dysfunction when I take this medication.
- C. Foods that are high in tyramine will reduce the medication's effectiveness.
- D. I should avoid foods that are high in the amino acid tyramine such as aged cheese, meats, and chocolate because this drug causes the level of tyramine to go up to dangerous levels.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: MAOIs inhibit the enzyme that breaks down tyramine, leading to increased serum tyramine levels, which can cause severe hypertension and other symptoms. The correct statement reflects understanding of the need to avoid tyramine-rich foods to prevent dangerous reactions.
In planning for a client's discharge, the nurse must know that the most serious risk for the client taking a tricyclic antidepressant is which of the following?
- A. Hypotension
- B. Narrow-angle glaucoma
- C. Seizures
- D. Suicide by overdose
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Tricyclic antidepressants are potentially lethal in overdose, posing a significant suicide risk. Other side effects like hypotension and glaucoma are concerning but less severe.
When the client experiences facial flushing, a throbbing headache, nausea and vomiting after consuming alcohol while taking Disulfiram (Antabuse), the nurse is aware that this is due to which of the following?
- A. A mild side effect of the medication.
- B. The intended therapeutic result.
- C. An idiosyncratic reaction
- D. A severe allergy to the medication.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Disulfiram causes an adverse reaction when mixed with alcohol, producing symptoms like flushing, headache, nausea, and vomiting as the intended therapeutic effect to deter alcohol consumption.
Which of the following medications rarely causes extrapyramidal side effects (EPS)?
- A. Ziprasidone (Geodon)
- B. Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
- C. Haloperidol (Haldol)
- D. Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atypical antipsychotics like ziprasidone rarely cause EPS compared to first-generation antipsychotics like chlorpromazine, haloperidol, and fluphenazine.
A client has a lithium level of 1.2 mEq/L. Which of the following interventions by the nurse is indicated?
- A. Call the physician for an increase in dosage.
- B. Do not give the next dose, and call the physician.
- C. Increase fluid intake for the next week.
- D. No intervention is necessary at this time.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A lithium level of 1.2 mEq/L is within the therapeutic range (0.5-1.5 mEq/L), so no intervention is necessary.