A depressed patient 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 best nursing response is:
a. "That is annoying, but it is something most patients are able to learn to live with as time goes on. You'll get used to the medicine's side effects.".
b. "The medicine can slow the body's adjustment of blood pressure when changing position; drinking more fluids and changing position slowly can help.".
c. "Compared to the problems caused by the depression, it seems like a relatively small annoyance to have to put up with.".
d. "All medicines have side effects, and this one is relatively mild. It could be that your depression is causing you to think negatively about the medicine.".
B
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 patient to stay well hydrated, change positions slowly, and hold on to bedrails or other secure structures to steady oneself until dizziness subsides. Knowing these facts may be enough to convince the patient to continue the medication. Implying that the side effect should be acceptable, that the patient should adjust to it, or that the patient's concern is a result of the depression itself all ignore the potential for reducing the side effect and its consequences (e.g., fall risk) via patient education.
You might also like to view...
Establishing a child development program for families at risk for child abuse would be
a. Primary prevention b. Secondary prevention c. Tertiary prevention d. Health promotion
During the preparatory phase of interviewing for the purpose of obtaining information for the nursing history, the nurse should
A) Clarify the patient's health status B) Review as much information as possible C) Identify actual and potential nursing diagnoses D) Develop the nursing plan of care
What is the primary factor for the low survival rates for patients who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer?
a. Ovarian cancer develops in patients with underlying immunosuppression and poor health b. Ovarian cancer does not respond well to conventional radiation and chemo treatments c. Symptoms are mild and vague, therefore the cancer is often not detected until its late stage d. There are no specific diagnostic tests that can confirm or rule out ovarian cancer
A patient being discharged is prescribed treatment for long-term hypoparathyroidism. What should the nurse include in discharge teaching? (Select all that apply.)
a. Eat a diet high in calcium. b. Eat a diet high in phosphates. c. Have regular eye examinations. d. Add iron-rich foods to your diet. e. Follow up with regular laboratory tests. f. Take oral calcium and vitamin D supplements as prescribed.