Amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, is prescribed for an adult client who is clinically depressed.
The client is admitted to the hospital due to suicidal ideation five days after starting the medication.
The client informs the practical nurse (PN) that the medication isn’t working as suicidal thoughts persist.
What information should the PN provide?
A review of the medication regimen is required due to the poor drug response.
A dosage increase may be needed, which requires in-hospital evaluation.
Therapy sessions may be needed to enhance the medication’s action on depression.
Antidepressant medication can take 2 to 4 weeks to become effective.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is D. Antidepressant medication can take 2 to 4 weeks to become effective. Choice A rationale While it’s important to review the medication regimen if a patient is not responding to treatment, it’s also crucial to understand that antidepressants like amitriptyline don’t typically show their full effects immediately. It’s common for these medications to take several weeks before their full therapeutic effect becomes apparent. Choice B rationale A dosage increase may be considered if the patient shows no improvement after a sufficient period, typically several weeks. However, since the patient has only been on the medication for five days, it’s too early to consider a dosage increase. Choice C rationale Therapy can indeed be beneficial in treating depression and can enhance the effect of medication. However, the statement that the medication isn’t working after five days is likely due to the fact that antidepressants usually take longer to start showing effects. Choice D rationale This is the correct answer. Antidepressants like amitriptyline often take 2 to 4 weeks to start showing their full effects. It’s important for patients to know this so they don’t get discouraged and stop taking the medication too soon.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice C, Measure pain and sensation. Pregabalin is a medication used to treat nerve pain, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Its effectiveness can be assessed by measuring changes in pain and sensation in the feet. While the other options may be part of a comprehensive foot assessment, they are not directly related to the effectiveness of pregabalin for nerve pain.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra, is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. One of the side effects of sildenafil is visual changes. These changes can be temporary or long-lasting, and can potentially be a sign of a serious condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which can lead to permanent vision loss. Therefore, it is crucial for the client to report these symptoms to the healthcare provider immediately for further evaluation and management.
Choice B rationale
While eye drops can be used to treat various eye conditions, they are not typically used to address visual changes caused by sildenafil. Therefore, instilling prescribed eye drops would not be the appropriate response in this situation.
Choice C rationale
Wearing dark glasses when outside can help protect the eyes from sun damage, but it would not address the underlying issue of visual changes caused by sildenafil. Therefore, this would not be the appropriate instruction for the practical nurse to give to the client.
Choice D rationale
The Amsler grid tool is used to detect vision problems resulting from damage to the macula (the central part of the retina) or the optic nerve. However, this tool would not be useful in this context as the visual changes are a side effect of sildenafil. Therefore, monitoring for visual changes each morning using an Amsler grid tool would not be the appropriate instruction for the practical nurse to give to the client.
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