A client who was placed on a medication for depression 7 days ago is concerned that he is not experiencing any change in his symptoms. What is the best response by the nurse?
This is normal because it typically takes 3-6 weeks for medications for depression to reach full therapeutic effect
Your symptoms should have improved by now. You need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your provider
Clients who do not have symptom relief in 5-7 days usually need to be placed on a different medication
It is normal for clients to have incomplete symptom relief, but any symptoms that remain after 7 days will be permanent
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Antidepressants, like SSRIs or tricyclics, require 3-6 weeks to achieve full therapeutic effect due to gradual neuroplastic changes, including upregulation of serotonin or norepinephrine receptors. Initial synaptic monoamine increases take time to translate into mood improvement, making this statement accurate and reassuring for the patient.
Choice B reason: Expecting symptom improvement within 7 days is unrealistic, as antidepressants require weeks to alter brain chemistry effectively. Suggesting immediate follow-up implies treatment failure prematurely, which is inaccurate. Monitoring is needed, but this statement misrepresents the typical timeline for antidepressant efficacy.
Choice C reason: Lack of symptom relief in 5-7 days does not necessitate switching medications, as antidepressants typically take 3-6 weeks for effect. Early non-response does not indicate failure, as synaptic and receptor adaptations are gradual. This statement is inaccurate and may lead to unnecessary medication changes.
Choice D reason: Incomplete symptom relief at 7 days is normal, but stating remaining symptoms are permanent is inaccurate. Antidepressants often achieve partial or full response by 6-8 weeks, and adjustments can optimize outcomes. This statement is misleading, as it falsely suggests persistent symptoms are unchangeable.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Crush injuries release myoglobin from damaged muscles, causing rhabdomyolysis. Myoglobin precipitates in renal tubules, obstructing them and leading to acute tubular necrosis, an intra-renal acute kidney injury. This toxic effect, combined with oxidative stress, impairs filtration, making this statement accurate for the pathophysiology of renal injury.
Choice B reason: Large IV fluid volumes are used to prevent renal injury in rhabdomyolysis by diluting myoglobin and maintaining perfusion. Fluid overload may cause pulmonary edema but does not typically cause pre-renal damage, which results from hypoperfusion. This statement is inaccurate, as fluids are protective, not harmful.
Choice C reason: Pain medications like NSAIDs can be nephrotoxic, causing intra-renal damage by reducing renal blood flow or causing interstitial nephritis. However, pre-renal damage results from hypoperfusion, not direct toxicity. In crush injuries, myoglobin is the primary cause, making this statement less accurate than myoglobin-related tubular damage.
Choice D reason: Significant blood loss causes pre-renal injury by reducing renal perfusion, not post-renal damage, which involves urinary obstruction. Crush injuries primarily cause intra-renal damage via myoglobin. This statement is inaccurate, as it misattributes the mechanism and type of renal injury in this context.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Humulin R (regular insulin) has an onset of 30-60 minutes and peaks at 2-3 hours. Taking a snack at 0900-0930, immediately after injection, is too early, as insulin action is minimal, and glucose from the meal may cause hyperglycemia before insulin peaks, making this timing inappropriate.
Choice B reason: Humulin R peaks at 2-3 hours (1100-1200 for a 0900 dose), when hypoglycemia risk is highest due to maximum glucose uptake. A snack or meal at 1100-1130 provides glucose to counter insulin’s peak effect, preventing low blood sugar, making this the most appropriate timing.
Choice C reason: By 1400-1430, Humulin R’s effect (duration 5-8 hours) is waning, reducing hypoglycemia risk. A snack at this time is less critical, as insulin’s glucose-lowering action is declining. This timing is less effective for preventing hypoglycemia compared to the peak action period at 1100-1130.
Choice D reason: At 1700-1730, Humulin R’s effect is nearly gone (duration 5-8 hours), making hypoglycemia unlikely from the 0900 dose. A snack this late is irrelevant to the insulin’s action, as glucose levels are stabilized, making this timing inappropriate for preventing hypoglycemia.
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