A nurse is caring for a client who started taking amitriptyline 6 days ago.
The client reports that the medication is not helping.
Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
"I will inform your provider so she can prescribe a different medication.”
"You will need to take this medication on an empty stomach for it to be more effective.”
"You will need to wait a couple of weeks to feel the therapeutic effect of the medication.”
"I will ask your provider to increase the dose of the medication.”
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
While it’s important for the provider to be informed if the medication isn’t working, it’s premature to change the medication after only 6 days.
Choice B rationale:
Amitriptyline does not need to be taken on an empty stomach to be effective.
Choice C rationale:
Amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, often takes several weeks before a therapeutic effect is felt.
Choice D rationale:
Increasing the dose prematurely can lead to unnecessary side effects. It’s better to wait for the medication to take effect.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Checking blood pressure with the client standing could exacerbate the client’s symptoms due to orthostatic hypotension, which is a common side effect of captopril.
Choice B rationale:
Administering a 0.9% sodium chloride IV bolus could be considered if the client’s blood pressure does not improve with positioning changes or if the client’s condition worsens.
Choice C rationale:
Placing the client in a supine position can help increase blood flow to the brain and alleviate symptoms of low blood pressure. This should be the first action taken by the nurse.
Choice D rationale:
Measuring blood pressure with the client sitting could also exacerbate symptoms due to orthostatic hypotension. It would be more appropriate after the client’s condition has stabilized.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) is a liver enzyme and its levels are used to assess liver function, not the effectiveness of epoetin alfa.
Choice B rationale:
Troponin is a cardiac marker used to diagnose heart attacks. It has no relation with the effectiveness of epoetin alfa.
Choice C rationale:
T4 (Thyroxine) is a thyroid hormone. Its levels indicate thyroid function, not the effectiveness of epoetin alfa.
Choice D rationale:
Hgb (Hemoglobin) levels are used to assess the effectiveness of epoetin alfa. Epoetin alfa is a medication that stimulates the production of red blood cells, thereby increasing hemoglobin levels in the blood. Normal hemoglobin levels are 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL in men and 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL in women.
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