A patient with depression tells the nurse, I don't think I want ...

[nelaaney]

A patient with depression tells the nurse, I don't think I want to take that SSRI medication the doctor told me she would prescribe. I don't understand what it will do. Which of the following would be the most helpful response?
 
  1. Medications help your brain; they don't mess things up.
  2. The medication will correct a deficiency of one of the chemicals needed to maintain a normal mood.
  3. SSRIs are a new classification of drugs that are getting good results while hav-ing very few unpleasant side effects.
  4. What is it you are afraid of?

Question 2

A friend has just taken a night shift job and complains about increasing depression. The nurse responds, knowing that:
 
  1. There is no connection between the new job and mental health
  2. Medication will cure the depression, no matter what caused it
  3. Interrupted wake-sleep patterns can influence mood
  4. It will take 4 months to adjust to the new chronobiology

[vkodali]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: 2
This response directly addresses the concern the client has expressed. Option 1 offers meaning-less reassurance. Option 3 does not explain the desired drug action. Option 4 makes an unwar-ranted assumption.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: 3
Option 1 is incorrect because it is likely that a change to night work could influence mood. Op-tion 2 is incorrect because medication does not always cure depression. Option 3 is correct be-cause sleep influences mood, and option 4 is incorrect because there is no set time for adjustment.