A fearful patient has an increased heart rate and blood pressure. The nurse suspects increased activity of which neurotransmitter?

Choice A reason: Bupropion is not primarily a sedative; it is an atypical antidepressant that stimulates norepinephrine and dopamine. It may cause insomnia, not promote sleep, making this statement incorrect. Sedative medications like zolpidem are used for sleep, not bupropion, which has activating properties.

Choice B reason: Bupropion has a lower risk of sexual dysfunction compared to SSRIs, making it a suitable alternative for depression treatment in patients experiencing this side effect. Its mechanism avoids serotonin-related sexual issues, supporting its use in such cases, making this a correct choice.

Choice C reason: Bupropion is FDA-approved for major depressive disorder, acting on norepinephrine and dopamine to alleviate depressive symptoms. It is commonly prescribed for depression, making this statement true and a correct choice, as it aligns with its primary clinical use.

Choice D reason: Bupropion, under the brand Zyban, is approved for smoking cessation, as it reduces nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms by modulating dopamine pathways. This evidence-based use makes the statement true, correctly identifying bupropion’s role in smoking cessation programs.

Choice A reason: Listening to the patient’s problems conveys empathy and presence, key to perceived caring in psychiatric nursing. This fosters a therapeutic alliance, reducing feelings of isolation and enhancing trust, aligning with patient-centered care principles, making this the correct choice for perceived caring.

Choice B reason: Linking medication compliance to discharge may feel coercive, not caring. It focuses on outcomes rather than emotional support, failing to validate the patient’s feelings, which is critical for perceived caring in mental health settings, making this choice incorrect.

Choice C reason: Explaining the treatment plan and seeking input shows collaboration, which is therapeutic but less emotionally focused than listening. While patient-centered, it emphasizes planning over emotional connection, making it less indicative of perceived caring compared to attentive listening.

Choice D reason: Asking about juice preferences shows attention to detail but is task-oriented, not emotionally supportive. Caring is better demonstrated through emotional engagement, like listening, which addresses the patient’s psychological needs more directly, making this choice less relevant.