Author Question: A young adult patient has been taking an antidepressant medication for several weeks and reports ... (Read 118 times)

mynx · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A young adult patient has been taking an antidepressant medication for several weeks and reports having increased thoughts of suicide.

in the past. The patient identifies a concrete plan for committing suicide. The nurse will contact the provider to discuss:
a. changing the medication to another drug class.
b. discontinuing the medication immediately.
c. hospitalizing the patient for closer monitoring.
d. requiring more frequent clinic visits for this patient.

Question 2

A patient taking fluoxetine (Prozac) complains of decreased sexual interest. A prescriber orders a drug holiday. What teaching by the nurse would best describe a drug holiday?

a. Cut the tablet in half anytime to reduce the dosage.
b. Discontinue the drug for 1 week.
c. Don't take the medication on Friday and Saturday.
d. Take the drug every other day.

micaelaswann · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Patients with depression often think of suicide, and during treatment with antidepressants, these thoughts often increase for a time. Patients whose risk of suicide is especially high should be hospitalized. All antidepressants carry this risk, so changing medication is not recommended. Discontinuing the medication is not recommended. More frequent clinic visits are recommended for patients with a low to moderate risk of suicide.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Sexual dysfunction may be managed by having the patient take a drug holiday, which involves discontinuing medication on Fridays and Saturdays. Cutting the tablet in half anytime to reduce the dosage is an inappropriate way to manage drug administration effectively. In addition, it does not describe a drug holiday. The patient should not take the drug every other day, nor should it be discontinued for a week at a time, because this would diminish the therapeutic levels of the drug, thereby minimizing the therapeutic effects. In addition, neither of those options describe a drug holiday.