A patient has been prescribed an SSRI for depression and reports feeling more anxious since starting the medication. The nurse should:

Discontinue the medication immediately.

Increase the dose of the medication.

Encourage the patient to continue taking the medication as prescribed.

Administer an anxiolytic medication.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

This is because SSRIs can cause increased anxiety in some patients during the first few weeks of treatment, but this usually subsides as the medication takes effect. Discontinuing the medication abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms and worsen the depression. Increasing the dose of the medication is not advisable without consulting the prescriber, as it may increase the risk of adverse effects and serotonin syndrome. Administering an anxiolytic medication may interact with the SSRI and cause excessive sedation or respiratory depression.

Choice A is wrong because discontinuing the medication immediately can cause withdrawal symptoms and worsen the depression.

Choice B is wrong because increasing the dose of the medication is not advisable without consulting the prescriber, as it may increase the risk of adverse effects and serotonin syndrome.

Choice D is wrong because administering an anxiolytic medication may interact with the SSRI and cause excessive sedation or respiratory depression.

Normal ranges for SSRIs vary depending on the specific drug, but generally they are between 20 and 200 ng/mL. The therapeutic effects of SSRIs usually take 3 to 6 weeks to appear.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]

Explanation

The client should avoid foods that are high in tyramine while taking phenelzine, which is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for depression. Tyramine can cause a hypertensive crisis when combined with MAOIs.

Choice B is wrong because shrimp is not high in tyramine and can be safely consumed by the client.

Choice D is wrong because raisins are not high in tyramine and can be safely consumed by the client.

Some examples of foods that are high in tyramine are avocado, cheddar cheese, pepperoni, aged meats, smoked fish, soy sauce, sauerkraut, beer, and red wine.

The normal range for blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg.A hypertensive crisis is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 180 mmHg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 120 mmHg or higher.The client should monitor their blood pressure regularly and report any signs of a hypertensive crisis, such as severe headache, chest pain, blurred vision, nausea, or confusion.

A. “You can stop taking the medication as long as you taper off gradually.” B. “You should continue taking the medication until your doctor tells you to stop.” C. “You can stop taking the medication immediately without any problems.” D. “You should switch to a non-benzodiazepine medication instead.”

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

You can stop taking the medication as long as you taper off gradually.

This is because lorazepam (Ativan) is a benzodiazepine that can cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly.Tapering off the dose reduces the risk of withdrawal and rebound anxiety or insomnia.

Choice B is wrong because continuing to take the medication indefinitely may increase the risk of tolerance, dependence, and adverse effects such as sedation, confusion, and memory impairment.

Choice C is wrong because stopping the medication immediately can cause severe withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, tremors, agitation, and hallucinations.

Choice D is wrong because switching to a non-benzodiazepine medication without tapering off lorazepam may not prevent withdrawal symptoms and may cause drug interactions or adverse effects from the new medication.

Normal ranges for lorazepam (Ativan) are 0.02 to 0.03 mg/kg/day divided into two or three doses for anxiety and 0.01 to 0.02 mg/kg at bedtime for insomnia.

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A patient has been prescribed an SSRI for depression and reports feeling more anxious since starting the medication. The nurse should:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for phenelzine for depression. Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid while taking this medication? (Select all that apply.).

Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking lorazepam (Ativan) for anxiety and insomnia for several months. The client tells the nurse that he wants to stop taking the medication because he feels better now. Which of the following responses should the nurse give?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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A client is prescribed clozapine (Clozaril). The nurse should closely monitor the client for which potential adverse effect?

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A patient has been prescribed an SNRI for depression and reports feeling more fatigued since starting the medication. The nurse should:

A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is taking risperidone (Risperdal). Which of the following findings should alert the nurse to a potential adverse effect of this medication? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and is prescribed lamotrigine (Lamictal). Which of the following instructions should be included in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and exhibits a lack of grooming and a flat affect. The nurse should anticipate a prescription of which of the following medications?

Select all that apply: A client has been prescribed an MAOI for depression and reports eating aged cheese and drinking red wine at dinner last night.