Author Question: The parents of an adolescent who has a history of depression are concerned because the physician has ... (Read 56 times)

genevieve1028 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The parents of an adolescent who has a history of depression are concerned because the physician has prescribed an SSRI antidepressant for their child. What information should the nurse use to formulate a response to these parents' concerns?

1. These medications are addictive and difficult to discontinue when the depressive incident is past.
2. It is difficult for teenagers to manage the dosage regimen for many of these drugs because they must be taken with a full meal.
3. There is an FDA warning regarding antidepressant use in teenagers and the increased risk of suicide.
4. Most of the SSRI antidepressant medications will deliver a marked improvement in depression within 3 to 4 days of the first dose.

Question 2

The assessment of a client undergoing testing for an anxiety disorder reveals an increased heart rate, an increased respiratory rate, a low-normal hematocrit, and a low blood sugar.

Which finding is contrary to what could be explained by a normal response to anxiety?
1. The heart rate
2. The respiratory rate
3. The hematocrit
4. The blood sugar

kswal303 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Although the client may come to depend upon the medication relieving depression, the drugs are not addictive.
Rationale 2: The medications must be taken with sufficient water, but a full meal is not necessary.
Rationale 3: The major concern regarding use of antidepressants and teenagers is the increased risk for suicide.
Rationale 4: Most of the SSRI antidepressant medications take at least 1 to 2 weeks to improve symptoms.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: The normal response to anxiety is increased heart rate.
Rationale 2: The normal response to anxiety is an increased rate and depth of respirations.
Rationale 3: The normal response to anxiety is the retention of sodium and water, which might be reflected in a low-normal hematocrit due to increased blood volume.
Rationale 4: The blood sugar generally increases because of the release of glucocorticoids and gluconeogenesis.