The nurse interviews the family of a patient hospitalized with severe depression who is prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant. What assessment data are important in planning this patient's plan of care? (Select all that apply.)

Question

A) Recent suicide attempts
B) Gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction
C) Affect
D) Physical pain
E) Personal responsibilities

Answer 1

A, B, C
Feedback:
When caring for a patient with a diagnosis of depression it is always important for the nurse to assess for recent suicide attempts, suicidal ideation, and any suicidal plans. After starting the medication, as the patient begins to feel better, risk of suicide increases, so ongoing assessment is essential to the patient's safety. Other assessments include allergies, liver and kidney function, glaucoma, benign prostatic hypertrophy, cardiac dysfunction, GI obstruction, surgery, or recent myocardial infarction, all of which could be exacerbated by the effects of the drug. Assess history of psychiatric problems, or myelography within the past 24 hours or in the next 48 hours, or is taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor to avoid potentially serious adverse reactions. Physical pain and personal responsibilities may be assessed but are not priority assessments unless indicated by other diagnoses.