A 15-year-old patient diagnosed with a first episode of depression was treated with an antidepressant. After remission of symptoms, the medication should be continued for at least:

Rationale:
A. Four weeks is typically insufficient to prevent relapse; this duration is usually the initial phase of treatment to achieve symptom remission.
B. Eight weeks may allow for acute symptom improvement but does not provide enough time for maintenance.
C. Continuing antidepressant therapy for at least 6 months after symptom remission is recommended to consolidate recovery and reduce the risk of relapse. This period represents the continuation phase of treatment.
D. Two years may be appropriate for patients with recurrent depression or high relapse risk, but it is not the standard minimum duration for a first episode.

Rationale:
A. A low-fiber diet is not a definitive treatment; dietary modifications may help manage symptoms but do not correct the underlying problem.
B. Surgical removal of the aganglionic segment of the bowel is the primary treatment for Hirschsprung’s disease, as the affected segment lacks nerve cells needed for normal peristalsis. Postoperative care may include temporary ostomy in some cases, but definitive management requires excision of the affected bowel.
C. A permanent colostomy is rarely needed; most children undergo a primary pull-through procedure.
D. Nasogastric decompression and supportive medical management do not resolve the underlying defect, though they may be used temporarily preoperatively to relieve obstruction.