The nurse works with a client who was just diagnosed with major depression. Which would the nurse most suspect will be prescribed as the first line of treatment for this client?
A) Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
B) Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
C) Stimulant
D) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Ans: D
Feedback:
In general, the SSRIs are the first line of treatment for major depression because they are well tolerated and easy to administer in once-a-day dosing. An older class of antidepressants, TCAs, is a second-line treatment because these antidepressants have strong anticholinergic side effects and dosing has to be gradually titrated before a client reaches a therapeutic level. Both the SSRIs and the TCAs can take 4 to 6 weeks before reaching therapeutic blood levels—a serious concern when working with acutely suicidal clients. For that reason, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used for clients who are acutely suicidal or exhibiting profound neurovegetative signs of depression. Stimulants are prescribed for those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
You might also like to view...
The patient, family, social service agency, hospital, physician, or another agency all can provide the entry point to the home health care system, which is known as a:
a. recommendation. b. survey. c. referral. d. in-taking.
After an unsuccessful resuscitation attempt, a patient dies. What should the nurse do first?
1. Document the time of death. 2. Notify the funeral home. 3. Contact the physician. 4. Contact the orderly for transport to the morgue.
A patient is prescribed isoniazid (INH) and rifampin for treatment of tuberculosis. Which adverse effects should the nurse instruct the patient to report to the healthcare provider?
Select all that apply. 1. fever 2. yellow tint to the skin 3. episodic pain in the upper-left quadrant 4. diarrhea 5. change in stool color
If refrigerated, ceftriaxone 350 mg/mL solution remains stable for ________ when diluted with bacteriostatic water. 
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).