A severely depressed, sullen client has been taking fluoxetine for 10 days. During the first outpatient visit, the client smiles excitedly and states, "I feel so much better now." How should the nurse interpret this behavior change? The:
client may have decided to carry out the suicide plan.
medication has potentiated serotonin syndrome.
medication dosage should be decreased.
client's behavioral change is normal and expected.
The Correct Answer is D
D. This recognizes that the client's improvement in mood is a typical response to antidepressant medication and does not automatically suggest any negative outcomes such as suicidal ideation or serotonin syndrome.
A. It's important to be vigilant for signs of suicidal ideation but sudden improvements in mood can also occur as a positive response to antidepressant medication.
B. The client's description of feeling better does not align with the symptoms of serotonin syndrome, which include agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and hyperthermia.
C. Antidepressant medications often take several weeks to reach their full therapeutic effect, so it's not unusual for some clients to experience an improvement in mood within the first few weeks of treatment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. Individuals with borderline personality disorder may exhibit behavior that generates conflict among staff members or within their interpersonal relationships. They may have difficulty regulating emotions, experience intense mood swings, and engage in impulsive or manipulative behaviors that contribute to conflicts with others.
A. Individuals with borderline personality disorder often struggle with interpersonal relationships and may have difficulty maintaining stable and healthy connections with others.
C. Suspiciousness of others is not a primary characteristic of borderline personality disorder.
D. Bizarre speech patterns are not typically associated with borderline personality disorder.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
C. Splitting is characterized by viewing people and situations in extremes, either all good or all bad, without recognizing the complexity that usually exists in most circumstances. This black-and-white thinking can lead to rapidly shifting perceptions of others, as seen in the client's sudden change from idealizing the nurse to devaluing them.
A. Denial is a defense mechanism where the individual refuses to accept reality or acknowledge an aspect of reality that is apparent to others. In this scenario, the client is not denying any aspect of reality.
B. Separation-individuation is a developmental process where individuals establish autonomy and a sense of self separate from others, particularly from primary caregivers. This process is more relevant in infancy and early childhood.
D. Reaction formation is a defense mechanism where an individual behaves in a manner opposite to their true feelings or impulses. In this scenario, the client's expression of hatred towards the nurse does not appear to be a case of reaction formation, as there is no indication that the client actually harbors feelings of care or admiration towards the nurse.
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