A nurse is discussing antidepressant therapy with a provider. Which of the following clients should the nurse identify as being a candidate for antidepressant therapy?
A client who has decreased serotonin levels.
A client who has decreased cortisol levels.
A client who has elevated dopamine levels.
A client who has elevated thyroid levels.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Decreased serotonin levels are linked to depression, as serotonin regulates mood in the brain’s limbic system. Antidepressants like SSRIs increase serotonin, alleviating low mood and anhedonia, making this client a prime candidate for therapy to address neurochemical imbalances in depression.
Choice B reason: Decreased cortisol is not directly tied to depression requiring antidepressants. Cortisol dysregulation may occur in stress disorders, but antidepressants target serotonin or norepinephrine, not adrenal function, making this client less suitable for antidepressant therapy based on this imbalance.
Choice C reason: Elevated dopamine is linked to schizophrenia or mania, not depression. Antidepressants target serotonin or norepinephrine, not dopamine. This client may need antipsychotics or mood stabilizers, not antidepressants, as dopamine excess does not indicate depressive pathology requiring such therapy.
Choice D reason: Elevated thyroid levels suggest hyperthyroidism, mimicking anxiety, not depression. Antidepressants are not indicated, as treatment targets thyroid function. Depression may coexist, but thyroid correction is prioritized, making this client unsuitable for primary antidepressant therapy based on this finding.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, is not a contraindication for oral contraceptives. Estrogen and progesterone do not exacerbate fibromyalgia’s musculoskeletal or neurological symptoms, as they primarily affect hormonal pathways, making contraceptives safe for use in clients with this condition.
Choice B reason: Hypertension is a contraindication for oral contraceptives, as estrogen increases renin-angiotensin activity, elevating blood pressure. This risks cardiovascular events like stroke or myocardial infarction, especially in clients with existing hypertension, necessitating alternative contraception to avoid vascular complications.
Choice C reason: Iron-deficiency anemia is not a contraindication, as oral contraceptives may reduce menstrual bleeding, improving anemia by decreasing iron loss. Their hormonal effects do not impact erythropoiesis, making them potentially beneficial for anemic clients, unlike hypertension, which poses risks.
Choice D reason: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is not a contraindication, as it affects cervical epithelium, not hormonal pathways. While some studies suggest a weak link to cervical cancer, HPV vaccination and screening mitigate risks, making oral contraceptives safe for clients with HPV.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes are not linked to morphine toxicity. Morphine, an opioid, depresses the central nervous system, reducing reflexes. Hyperactive reflexes suggest neurological or stimulant effects, not opioid overdose, which primarily causes respiratory and consciousness depression in affected clients.
Choice B reason: Fluid retention is not a primary sign of morphine toxicity. Morphine may cause urinary retention via sphincter tone increase, but fluid overload is unrelated. Toxicity manifests as respiratory depression or sedation, driven by mu-opioid receptor overstimulation, not fluid balance alterations.
Choice C reason: Prolonged QT interval is associated with medications like antiarrhythmics, not morphine. Morphine toxicity primarily causes respiratory depression and sedation via central nervous system effects. Cardiac effects are rare, and QT prolongation is not a hallmark of opioid overdose in clinical settings.
Choice D reason: Bradypnea indicates morphine toxicity, as opioids depress the brainstem’s respiratory center via mu-receptor overstimulation. This slows breathing, risking hypoxia and respiratory arrest, a life-threatening complication requiring immediate intervention like naloxone to reverse opioid effects and restore normal respiratory function.
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