Your patient has a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and has been started on sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg daily. After taking the medication for 3 days, the patient says, "I don't think the medicine is working. I don't want to take it any longer." What is your best response?
"I'll let your doctor know, and he may order a different medication."
"These medications usually take a few weeks to bring about an improvement in your symptoms."
"It is important to eat a more balanced diet to help this medication work."
"The important thing now is getting more involved in patient activities."
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: While it's important to communicate with the doctor, this does not provide immediate reassurance or information about the medication's typical onset of action.
Choice B reason: This is the most accurate response as SSRIs like sertraline (Zoloft) typically take several weeks to show full effects, and it's important for patients to understand this.
Choice C reason: While a balanced diet is important, it is not directly related to the effectiveness of sertraline in the short term.
Choice D reason: Encouraging involvement in activities is beneficial, but it does not address the patient's concern about the medication's effectiveness.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: An exercise stress test can help diagnose coronary artery disease by measuring the heart's ability to respond to external stress in a controlled clinical environment.
Choice B reason: Troponin I is a blood test that measures the levels of troponin T or troponin I proteins in the blood. These proteins are released when the heart muscle has been damaged, such as in a heart attack, which is a common complication of coronary artery disease.
Choice C reason: Cardiac computed tomography (CT) for calcium scoring is a non-invasive way of obtaining information about the presence, location, and extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries.
Choice D reason: Radioisotope imaging, such as a nuclear stress test, can show how blood moves to the heart muscle at rest and during stress, helping to diagnose coronary artery disease.
Choice E reason: Angiography involves using X-rays to see your body's blood vessels. Coronary angiography is specifically used to see if your coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed, where they supply blood to your heart.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Grief after a major loss can indeed mimic the symptoms of depression, but it is not considered clinical depression unless the symptoms persist and meet specific criteria.
Choice B reason: Depression is common after a myocardial infarction (MI) due to the emotional and physical stress of the event and recovery process.
Choice C reason: Children and adolescents can and do suffer from depression, and it is important for it to be recognized and treated appropriately.
Choice D reason: Depression is more common in women than in men, which makes the statement incorrect.
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