The nurse should anticipate that which type of antidepressant agent may be prescribed for an elderly patient who has a history of numerous cardiac events and who prefers to take medication only once per day?

Question

A)
Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
B)
Nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant
C)
Bupropion, an antidepressant
D)
Venlafaxine, a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor

Answer 1

Ans:
A

Feedback:

SSRIs provide high specificity by blocking or slowing serotonin reuptake without the antagonism of neurotransmitter receptors or direct cardiac effects. Dosing is usually once per day, creating ease of administration. Tricyclic antidepressants have a high suicide rate. The anticholinergic and CV side effects are problematic. SNRIs are similar to SSRI. However, they can be associated with sedation.