Exam 15: Antidepressant Drugs

A TCA is prescribed for a patient newly diagnosed with depression. What information should be included in patient teaching?

A patient diagnosed with depression who has reported vague suicidal ideation will stay at home, have close family supervision, and make weekly visits to the health care provider. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is prescribed. What is the benefit of bupropion in this scenario?

Priority assessments for a patient beginning amitriptyline (Elavil) include:

A depressed patient prepares for discharge. The patient is prescribed desipramine (Norpramin) and will have outpatient visits. The patient reports, "They gave me only a 1-week supply of my medicine." Select the nurse's best reply.

What is the nurse's highest priority when caring for a patient after a TCA overdose?

The nurse cares for four patients receiving SSRIs. Which assessment finding warrants the nurse's priority attention?

Evaluation of a patient's response after 1 week of tricyclic antidepressant therapy would be expected to show:

A secondary amine tricyclic antidepressant is prescribed for a patient. The medication will significantly increase the availability of which neurotransmitter?

A patient prescribed fluoxetine ( Prozac ) is being changed to tranylcypromine ( Parnate ). The nurse schedules a time lapse between the last dose of fluoxetine and the first dose of tranylcypromine of at least:

Patients taking TCAs exhibit more side effects than patients taking SSRIs, because TCAs:

A patient with depression has taken an SSRI for 1 month. The nurse should use direct questions to evaluate which potential side effect?

A nurse teaches a patient taking an MAOI antidepressant about important dietary guidelines. Which nutritional choices by the patient indicate that the teaching was effective? Select all that apply.

A patient tells the nurse that he stopped taking sertraline (Zoloft) because the drug made him impotent. The nurse can be most helpful by saying:

A patient for whom phenelzine (Nardil) is prescribed complains of a sudden headache and palpitations. The nurse observes dilated pupils and diaphoresis. The nurse's first action should be:

A pregnant patient took SSRI antidepressants during the third trimester of pregnancy. The newborn will be carefully assessed for neonatal:

Nortriptyline (Aventyl) was prescribed for a 68-year-old patient diagnosed with depression and insomnia. Benefits specific to use of nortriptyline would include:

When teaching about the MAOI tranylcypromine (Parnate), the nurse should consider it a priority to:

A 75-year-old patient with a long history of depression begins amitriptyline (Elavil) 100 mg/day. The patient also takes a diuretic daily for hypertension. The highest priority nursing diagnosis is risk for:

The nurse's priority assessment for a patient taking an antidepressant medication is for the presence of: