Author Question: The physician prescribed amitriptyline (Elavil) 50 mg tid for a severely depressed client 2 weeks ... (Read 85 times)

Yi-Chen · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

The physician prescribed amitriptyline (Elavil) 50 mg tid for a severely depressed client 2 weeks ago. Which of the following nursing diagnoses would the nurse consider a priority?

1. Chronic low self-esteem
2. Risk for suicide
3. Noncompliance
4. Anxiety

Question 2

A client has been placed on amitriptyline (Elavil) 50 mg tid. What information about the ex-pected outcome of this medication therapy would the nurse give the client? This medication is expected to:

1. cure your depression.
2. improve brain chemical imbalance.
3. help you understand your distorted thinking.
4. give you the opportunity to unlearn your helplessness.

memslove · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: 2
Clients with depression are at increased risk for suicide when they have been on antidepressant medication for 2 weeks, because they are regaining some energy but may not have achieved full therapeutic effect with mood improvement. 1. Self-esteem is important, but it is not the priority. 3. Evidence of noncompliance is lacking. 4. Data are not present to indicate that the client is ex-periencing anxiety.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: 2
Antidepressant medication works by reestablishing the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin and norepinephrine. 1. Antidepressants do not promise a cure for depres-sion. 3. Cognitive therapy, rather than antidepressants, addresses this. 4. Learned helplessness is addressed by cognitive therapy.