While the nurse is performing a physical assessment, the patient begins to cry and states, "I just can't seem to be happy. I thought the reserpine I was prescribed would help my chronic depres-sion and my high blood pressure"

Question

Which of the following is the best nursing response to the pa-tient? a. Explain to the patient that the medication is not indicated for depression; depres-sion is actually a side effect of the medication. The patient should speak to the prescriber about alternative medications.
b. Reassure the patient that the medication takes about 3 weeks for full effectiveness to treat both hypertension and depression.
c. Explain to the patient that the depression will last only a few days.
d. Have a psychiatric consult ordered.

Answer 1

A
Reserpine can produce severe depression, which may persist for months during drug therapy and after the drug is withdrawn. Reserpine is not used to treat chronic depression, therefore the pa-tient should speak to the prescriber about alternative medications to treat hypertension and chronic depression.
Reassuring the patient does not address the depression, which this medication does not treat. De-pression is a side effect of this medication. The patient should speak to the prescriber about al-ternative medications.
Depression is a side effect of reserpine, and there is no time frame for how long the depression might last.
A psychiatric consult is not warranted at this time. The patient needs to speak to the prescriber about alternative medications that address both chronic depression and hypertension.