Author Question: Which of the following clients most likely faces the highest risk of experiencing adverse effects of ... (Read 67 times)

drink · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

Which of the following clients most likely faces the highest risk of experiencing adverse effects of ECT?

A) A man who has diagnoses of depression and poorly controlled hypertension and who experienced a myocardial infarction 3 months ago
B) A woman who has been admitted to the hospital after a suicide attempt and who has type I diabetes mellitus
C) A man who has schizophrenia, who is an intravenous user of heroin and cocaine, and who smokes marijuana on a daily basis
D) A morbidly obese woman whose depression has been treated with a sustained serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for the past several months

Question 2

A client with a diagnosis of depression has not seen her mood and affect improve with the use of antidepressants, and the worsening of her symptoms has prompted her physician to order ECT.

Which of the nurse's following teaching points about the procedure is most accurate?

A) Most people who are depressed experience a permanent improvement in their mood after their first treatment.
B) The permanent memory loss associated with ECT is a small price to pay for curing your depression.
C) You will probably not be able to use antidepressant medications for several months after the treatment, but they will likely be unnecessary.
D) Even though the exact way that ECT helps depression isn't known, the therapy has been shown to be safe and effective.

Galvarado142 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Ans: A
Hypertension and recent MI are both associated with an increased risk of adverse effects during ECT. Diabetes, antidepressant therapy, and drug use are not noted to appreciably increase the risk of adverse effects.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: D
The exact therapeutic mechanisms of ECT are unclear, but the therapy itself has been proven safe and effective. Repeat treatments are the norm, and any resulting memory loss is not permanent. ECT does not contraindicate the use of antidepressants.