The nurse caring for a college student who attempted suicide by overdose believes brain biochemical
dysfunction contributes to suicidal behavior.
The nurse will be better able to plan necessary health
teaching if she identifies the probable neurotransmitter alteration of
a. acetylcholine excess.
b. serotonin deficiency.
c. dopamine excess.
d. ?-aminobutyric acid deficiency.
B
Research suggests that low levels of serotonin may play a role in the decision to commit suicide.
Knowing this, the nurse would understand the rationale for the use of selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors and plan appropriate health teaching. The other neurotransmitter alterations have not been
implicated in suicidal crises.
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A 7-year-old boy fell off a wood pile while playing. He has been admitted to the intensive care unit with multiple broken bones and internal bleeding. What should the nurse know about drug therapy in this type of patient?
A) Adverse effects may be decreased. B) Therapeutic effects may be increased. C) Pharmacodynamics may be altered. D) Pharmacokinetics remain the same.
The nurse suspects the patient may have toxic levels of digoxin in the bloodstream when what is assessed? (Select all that apply.)
A) Irregular heart rhythms B) Nausea C) Anorexia D) Headache E) Peripheral edema
While teaching about HIV/AIDS to a group of high school seniors, the school health nurse will begin by explaining the basic facts that will likely include which of the following information?
A) Like all viruses, HIV is a genetic material made from DNA with long molecules that carry genetic information. B) HIV is different from other viruses since it is a retrovirus that selectively attacks the body's immune cells. C) There are two types of HIV, but the one that is endemic to the United States is HIV type 2. D) HIV type 1 for some reason rarely develops into full-blown AIDS.
Dizziness, or the inability to maintain balance in either a sitting or standing position, is termed ________.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).