A female client's husband, in whom a chronic illness was recently diagnosed, is hospitalized. She states that she cannot stop worrying about what is going to happen with her husband's treatment and how they are going to pay the bills because he will not be working. What reaction is the client most likely experiencing?

A. Anxiety is characterized by feelings of worry, fear, and apprehension about future events or uncertain outcomes. In this situation, the client's concerns about her husband's chronic illness diagnosis, his treatment, and financial implications (due to his inability to work) indicate that she is experiencing anxiety. These worries are typical responses to stressful life events and uncertainties.

B. Shock is a sudden and intense emotional reaction typically experienced immediately after a traumatic or unexpected event. While the client may initially experience shock upon hearing her husband's diagnosis, ongoing worry about treatment and financial concerns suggests a more prolonged state of anxiety rather than acute shock.

C. Withdrawal refers to a disengagement or retreat from social interactions or activities. There is no indication in the scenario that the client is withdrawing from social interactions. Rather, she is actively expressing concerns and seeking support, which is inconsistent with withdrawal.

D. Anger involves feelings of hostility, frustration, or resentment towards others or situations. While anger could potentially arise in response to the stressors described, the primary emotion expressed by the client in this scenario is worry and concern, which aligns more closely with anxiety than anger.

B. Sertraline is a commonly prescribed SSRI used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive- compulsive disorder (OCD), and other conditions. It works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which helps improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

A. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine used primarily for its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. It is not an SSRI and is not typically prescribed as a first-line treatment for depression.

C. Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), not an SSRI. TCAs are older antidepressants that work on multiple neurotransmitter systems, including serotonin, but they are less commonly prescribed as first-line treatment due to their side effect profile.

D. Clonazepam is also a benzodiazepine used for treating anxiety disorders and certain types of seizures. Like lorazepam, it is not an SSRI and is not typically used as a first-line treatment for depression.