A nurse is educating a patient who is starting a new antidepressant medication. Which statement by the nurse is most accurate regarding the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors associated with antidepressant use?

A. "I should rinse my mouth with water and swallow it after using the inhaler.": Swallowing the rinse water may still allow corticosteroid particles to enter the systemic circulation through the gastrointestinal tract, increasing the risk of systemic effects and oral thrush.
B. "I will rinse my mouth only if I feel irritation after using the inhaler.": Rinsing should be done routinely after each use, regardless of the presence of irritation. Skipping this step can increase the risk of developing oral candidiasis (thrush) due to residual corticosteroid in the mouth.
C. "I will rinse my mouth with water and spit it out after using the inhaler.": Rinsing and spitting helps remove residual corticosteroid from the oropharynx, reducing the risk of local side effects like oral thrush and hoarseness.
D. "There is no need to rinse my mouth after using an inhaled corticosteroid.": This indicates a lack of understanding. Failure to rinse the mouth increases the risk of fungal infections and other local adverse effects due to prolonged exposure to the medication.

• Subcutaneous: A parenteral route where medication is injected into the tissue layer between the skin and muscle. It bypasses the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, allowing for faster absorption of certain medications like insulin or heparin.
• NG Tube: A form of enteral administration that delivers medication directly into the stomach via a nasogastric tube. This route utilizes the GI tract and is often used for patients who cannot swallow.
• Oral: A classic enteral route involving medication taken by mouth and absorbed through the digestive tract. It is the most common and convenient method of drug delivery.
• Rectal: An enteral route that involves administration of medication into the rectum, where it is absorbed by the lower GI tract. It is often used when oral administration is not feasible.
• Intramuscular: A parenteral route where medication is injected into a muscle, offering faster absorption than enteral routes. Common for vaccines and certain pain medications.
• Intravenous: A parenteral route that delivers medication directly into the bloodstream. It provides the most rapid onset of action and is used for critical care, emergencies, and precise dosing.