A patient who is taking amitriptyline (Elavil) reports constipation and dry mouth. The nurse will give the patient which instruction?

A) Decreased sweating, decreased BP, and increased heart rate: This combination does not reflect a typical stress response. In stressful or threatening situations, the body activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased sweating, elevated blood pressure, and other physiological changes, rather than a decrease in blood pressure.
B) Increased sweating, decreased respiratory rate, and increased BP: In a stressful situation, sweating would indeed increase due to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. However, the respiratory rate would typically increase, not decrease, as the body prepares for the "fight or flight" response. Increased blood pressure is expected, but decreased respiratory rate does not align with this response.
C) Pupil constriction, increased respiratory rate, and decreased heart rate: Pupil constriction is not characteristic of the "fight or flight" response; instead, pupil dilation occurs as part of the body's preparation to react to a threat. Increased respiratory rate and heart rate are typically seen during stress, but decreased heart rate would not be expected in such a situation.
D) Increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and pupil dilation: This is the correct response. When faced with a threatening situation, the body activates the sympathetic nervous system, triggering the "fight or flight" response. This includes increased blood pressure and heart rate to prepare the body for action, as well as pupil dilation (mydriasis) to enhance vision and perception of the environment. These changes help the body respond quickly to a perceived danger.

A) “Alzheimer disease affects memory but not personality.”
While memory loss is one of the hallmark symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, the condition also significantly impacts other cognitive functions, including personality and behavior. As the disease progresses, patients often experience changes in mood, behavior, and personality, such as increased irritability, depression, or aggression.

B) “With proper treatment, symptoms of this disease can be arrested.”
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and while some treatments (like cholinesterase inhibitors) can help manage symptoms temporarily or slow their progression, the disease itself is not arrestable. The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms and improve quality of life, but it cannot stop the disease from advancing.

C) “The onset of Alzheimer disease is usually between 65 and 75 years.”
While Alzheimer’s disease typically affects older adults, this statement is too narrow. Alzheimer’s disease can begin earlier, sometimes in individuals in their 50s or 60s, particularly in cases of early-onset Alzheimer’s. The average age of onset for most people is around 65, but there is variability.

D) “Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive condition.”
Alzheimer’s disease is indeed chronic (lasting for years) and progressive (it worsens over time). It gradually destroys brain cells, leading to a decline in cognitive function, including memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. This is the fundamental nature of the disease