Which of the four classes of medications used for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is considered the safest because of low incidence of side effects and lack of physiological dependence?

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Tricyclics

Benzodiazepines

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the brain, effectively managing GAD with a low risk of dependence. Side effects like nausea or headache are generally mild and transient, making SSRIs safer compared to other classes, as they do not cause significant physiological dependence or severe adverse effects.

Choice B reason: Tricyclic antidepressants affect multiple neurotransmitters, effectively treating GAD but with significant side effects like anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, constipation) and potential cardiotoxicity. They carry a higher risk of overdose and side effects compared to SSRIs, making them less safe for long-term use in GAD.

Choice C reason: Benzodiazepines enhance GABA activity, providing rapid anxiety relief but with a high risk of physiological dependence and withdrawal. Side effects like sedation and cognitive impairment, along with abuse potential, make them less safe than SSRIs for long-term GAD management.

Choice D reason: MAOIs inhibit monoamine oxidase, increasing neurotransmitter levels for GAD treatment. However, they have significant side effects, including hypertensive crises from dietary tyramine, and require strict dietary restrictions. Their risk profile and potential for severe interactions make them less safe than SSRIs.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: An untidy house and yard may indicate poor organization or neglect but is not specific to hoarding. It could result from various factors, such as depression or physical limitations, and does not inherently pose a dangerous safety risk associated with hoarding behaviors.

Choice B reason: A single path through the yard and house indicates severe accumulation of items, characteristic of hoarding disorder. This creates significant safety hazards, such as fire risks, tripping hazards, or blocked exits, which can impede emergency access and pose immediate dangers to the client’s well-being.

Choice C reason: Neighbor complaints about cats may suggest pet hoarding, a subtype of hoarding disorder. However, without evidence of excessive clutter or unsafe living conditions, this alone is less indicative of dangerous hoarding compared to physical obstructions like a single path through the home.

Choice D reason: A collection of scattered magazines may suggest early hoarding tendencies but does not necessarily indicate a dangerous level of hoarding. It lacks the severity of safety risks, such as blocked pathways or fire hazards, associated with a single path through the home.

A. Observe the client for signs of toxicity B. Document the laboratory results in the medical record C. Notify the client’s physician immediately D. Hold the next dose of lithium

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Observing for toxicity is important, but a lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L, above the therapeutic range (0.6–1.5 mEq/L), requires immediate action. Observation alone delays critical intervention, as symptoms like confusion or ataxia may already be present, necessitating urgent medical evaluation.

Choice B reason: Documenting results is necessary but not the first action. A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L indicates potential toxicity, requiring immediate physician notification to adjust dosing or provide treatment, as delays could worsen neurological or renal complications.

Choice C reason: A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L is above the therapeutic range, indicating early toxicity, which can cause neurological and renal damage. Notifying the physician immediately ensures prompt dose adjustment or discontinuation, preventing progression to severe toxicity, making this the priority action.

Choice D reason: Holding the next dose without physician guidance is risky, as abrupt cessation may destabilize mood in bipolar disorder. A level of 1.8 mEq/L requires medical evaluation to determine safe dose adjustments, making physician notification the first step.

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Which of the four classes of medications used for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is considered the safest because of low incidence of side effects and lack of physiological dependence?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is visiting a client in the home setting after discharge from the hospital for treatment of multiple area skin infections and cellulitis. Which behavior does the nurse document as a dangerous sign that the client is hoarding?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The client’s lithium level is 1.8 mEq/L. The first appropriate nursing action is to:

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The best goal for a client learning a relaxation technique is that the client will

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