Though he does not exhibit any signs or symptoms of depression, a client's physician has prescribed a low dose of the antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron). What is the most likely motivation for the physician's action?
A) To test for depression by inducing mild withdrawal symptoms after a few weeks
B) To make use of an off-label application of the medication
C) To potentiate the effects of one of the client's other, unrelated medications
D) To induce euphoria and higher functioning by altering the client's neurotransmitter levels
Ans: B
Off-label prescribing is providing a drug for a different diagnosis, at an unapproved dose, outside the approved age group, for longer than the approved interval, or at a different dose schedule. An example is prescribing mirtazapine (Remeron) to induce sleep.
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Before applying a warm pack to reduce a patient's discomfort from back spasms, a nurse will
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A patient's urinalysis results are: white blood cells (WBC) 100+/hpf; red blood cells (RBC) 4/hpf; bacteria, moderate amount; nitrite, positive; specific gravity, 1.025; urine, cloudy. What should the nurse recognize these findings indicate?
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