A patient is diagnosed with major depression with severe symptoms and begins taking an antidepressant medication. Three weeks after beginning therapy, the patient tells the nurse that the drug is not working
The nurse will counsel this patient to ask the provider about: a. adding a second medication to comple-ment this drug.
b. changing the medication to one in a dif-ferent drug class.
c. increasing the dose of this medication.
d. using nondrug therapies to augment the medication.
D
Patients with severe depression benefit more from a combination of drug therapy and psycho-therapy than from either component alone, so this patient should ask the provider about nondrug therapies. Once a drug has been selected for treatment, it must be used for 4 to 8 weeks before its efficacy can be assessed. Until a drug has been used at least 1 month without success, it should not be considered a failure. Adding a second medication, changing to a different medication, and increasing the dose of this medication should all be reserved until the current drug is deemed to have failed after at least 4 weeks.
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A patient is beginning therapy with isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil). When will the nurse know that the patient has maximal tolerance?
A) When nausea develops B) When halos are seen around lights C) When a headache develops D) When the heart rate increases to 100
The nurse is providing care for a client who is experiencing situational depression after the death of a parent. During the assessment, the nurse learns that the client has returned to work, is caring for her family, and spends quiet time reflecting on h
Which conclusion by the nurse is most appropriate? A) The client is working through the grief process. B) The client is experiencing denial regarding the death of a parent. C) The client is exhibiting ineffective coping. D) The client is experiencing anxiety.
The client, who caught the thumb in a drawer, has a collection of blood at the base of the nail and asks you when this discoloration will be gone. What is your best answer?
A. "Discoloration that occurs under the nail is permanent." B. "Exposing the area to sunlight will cause the discoloration to fade." C. "The blood will be reabsorbed in about 2 weeks, just like any other bruise." D. "The blood will be gone when the nail completely grows beyond the injury in 3 to 4 months."
The most important thing a nurse can teach patients to help them avoid possible complications from polypharmacy is
1. To carry a complete list of all medications and the dosages being taken. 2. Why he or she is taking each medication. 3. How often to take each medication. 4. Possible side effects of each medication.