A depressed client who is taking a tricyclic antidepressant tells the nurse "I don't think I can keep
taking these pills. They make me very dizzy, especially when I stand up.". The nurse should
a. explain how to mange hypotension and reassure that side effects go away after
several weeks.
b. tell the client that the side effects are a minor inconvenience compared with
feelings of depression.
c. withhold the drug and have the physician examine the client.
d. perform a mental status examination on the client.
A
Drowsiness, dizziness, and postural hypotension usually subside after the first few weeks of therapy
with tricyclic antidepressants. Postural hypotension can be managed by teaching the client to stay
well hydrated and rise slowly. Knowing these facts may be enough to convince the client to remain
medication compliant. Option B would not be a convincing reason to remain on the medication.
Option C is unnecessary. Independent nursing action is called for. Option D is unnecessary.
You might also like to view...
In the Scope and Standards of Gerontological Nursing Practice, which does the Ameri-can Nurses' Association (ANA) identify as a vulnerable group of elders who need spe-cialized nursing care?
a. Elders greater than 90 years old b. Female elders in nursing homes c. Elders receiving Medicare and Medicaid d. Elders belonging to a minority group
The nurse's research is testing Martha Rogers' Science of Unitary Human Beings. The researcher has chosen to study the growing diversity in the individual field pattern of older adults moving to an assisted living center
The study predicts that, if these patterns follow Rogers' theory and are indeed becoming more diverse, the subjects have a greater chance of adapting well to the move. What kind of reasoning is this nurse using? 1. Deductive. 2. Inductive. 3. Propositional. 4. Grand theory reasoning.
The nurse is caring for a patient whose recent health history includes an altered LOC. What should be the nurse's first action when assessing this patient?
A) Assessing the patient's verbal response B) Assessing the patient's ability to follow complex commands C) Assessing the patient's judgment D) Assessing the patient's response to pain
A nursing student states, "When we have lecture-discussion sessions, I never know what's expected of me." The best reply by a peer would be, "I think it's our responsibility as students to
a. avoid actively disagreeing with the instructor or other students." b. make a list of questions about material we don't understand." c. listen until we're called upon to answer questions." d. use review books to check the depth of the material we're learning."