The physician prescribed amitriptyline (Elavil) 50 mg tid for a ...

[Yi-Chen]

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]

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.

[Yi-Chen]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[chereeb]

Great answer, keep it coming