A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient who has been prescribed an antidepressant medication for the treatment of anxiety disorder. The nurse tells the patient, "It may take several weeks for the medication to start working fully." The nurse's statement is based on which characteristic of antidepressant medications?

Rapid onset of action.

Long duration of action.

Initial worsening of anxiety symptoms.

Slow onset of therapeutic effect.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale:

Rapid onset of action - Antidepressant medications with rapid onset of action, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can lead to quicker relief of symptoms. However, the nurse's statement mentions that it may take several weeks for the medication to start working fully, which contradicts the idea of rapid onset. Therefore, this choice is not applicable.

Choice B rationale:

Long duration of action - Antidepressants with long duration of action might provide sustained symptom relief once they take effect, but the nurse's statement focuses on the time it takes for the medication to start working fully rather than its duration of action. Thus, this choice is not relevant.

Choice C rationale:

Choice D rationale:

Slow onset of therapeutic effect - The nurse's statement, "It may take several weeks for the medication to start working fully," suggests that the medication has a slow onset of therapeutic effect. This is characteristic of many antidepressant medications, which often require several weeks of consistent use before significant symptom improvement is observed.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Benzodiazepines are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and alcohol also has a depressant effect on the CNS. When combined, they can potentiate each other's effects, leading to excessive sedation, dizziness, and impaired coordination. This can result in increased risks of accidents and injuries.

Choice B rationale:

While alcohol can indeed enhance the sedative effects of benzodiazepines, this is not the primary reason for instructing the patient to avoid alcohol. The main concern is the potential for adverse interactions, as mentioned in choice C.

Choice C rationale:

(Correct Choice) Alcohol can cause adverse interactions with benzodiazepines. Both substances act as depressants on the CNS, and their combined use can lead to severe sedation, respiratory depression, and even coma or death. In addition, the combination can impair cognitive and motor functions, making it unsafe to engage in activities such as driving.

Choice D rationale:

Alcohol's potential to increase the risk of dependence on benzodiazepines is a valid concern, but it is not the primary reason for advising the patient to avoid alcohol. The immediate risk of adverse interactions takes precedence.

Choice E rationale:

While alcohol can worsen the symptoms of anxiety disorder, this is not the primary reason for instructing the patient to avoid alcohol. The focus here is on the potential dangerous interactions between alcohol and benzodiazepine medications.

A. "I feel like something bad is going to happen.". B. "My heart is racing, and I can't catch my breath.". C. "I feel anxious and restless.". D. "I have a feeling of impending doom.".

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

"I feel like something bad is going to happen." This statement is similar to the correct answer, but it lacks the specific phrase "impending doom," which is a hallmark description in anxiety-related disorders.

Choice B rationale:

"My heart is racing, and I can't catch my breath." This statement focuses on physiological symptoms and doesn't capture the broader sense of anxiety and apprehension that the patient is expressing.

Choice C rationale:

"I feel anxious and restless." While this choice captures the patient's emotional state, it doesn't include the crucial phrase "impending doom," which is a common and specific expression of anxiety.

Choice D rationale:

"I have a feeling of impending doom." This statement precisely captures the patient's description of their emotions and physical sensations, which is characteristic of anxiety and panic disorders. It reflects the patient's perception of a potential catastrophe about to occur.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is providing education to a patient with generalized anxiety disorder who has been prescribed a benzodiazepine medication. The nurse instructs the patient to avoid consuming alcohol while taking the medication. Which of the following is the rationale for this instruction?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a patient with anxiety disorder. The nurse asks the patient, "How are you feeling right now?" The patient responds, "I feel like something bad is going to happen. My heart is racing, and I can't catch my breath." The nurse documents the patient's statement as:

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a patient with generalized anxiety disorder. The nurse understands that the goal of pharmacological treatment for anxiety disorders is to:

A nurse is caring for a patient with social anxiety disorder. The nurse understands that beta-blockers may be used as an adjunct to antidepressants for the treatment of social anxiety disorder. The nurse further explains that beta-blockers:

A nurse is caring for a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The nurse understands that the pharmacological treatment for OCD often involves the use of which of the following medications? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is caring for a patient with panic disorder. Which of the following medications is often used as a first-line agent for the treatment of panic disorder?