An older adult has experienced severe depression for many years and is unable to tolerate most antidepressant medications due to adverse effects of the medications
He is scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as a treatment for his depression. What teaching should the nurse give the patient regarding this treatment?
a. There are no special preparations needed before this treatment.
b. Common side effects include headache and short-term memory loss.
c. One treatment will be needed to cure the depression.
d. This treatment will leave you unconscious for several hours.
ANS: B
Common side effects of ECT include headache, sleepiness, short-term memory loss, nausea, and muscle aches. Preparations before and after the procedure are the same as any operative procedure involving the patient receiving anesthesia. Treatment is typically three sessions a week for 4 weeks, not once. Patients are not unconscious after the procedure due to the use of precisely placed electrodes and the use of anesthesia.
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Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).