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 D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Instructing the client to shower and change clothes is inappropriate, as it may destroy forensic evidence critical for legal proceedings. Evidence preservation is a priority post-sexual assault, and showers are delayed until after forensic examination, making this intervention incorrect and potentially harmful.
Choice B reason: Asking for details about the assault can retraumatize the client and is not the nurse’s role immediately post-assault. Trained forensic examiners or counselors handle such discussions sensitively. This action risks emotional harm and is inappropriate for initial care, making it incorrect.
Choice C reason: Reassuring the client that injuries are not life-threatening may minimize their trauma and emotional distress. The focus should be on emotional support and safety, not downplaying injuries, which may be perceived insensitively. This intervention is inappropriate for trauma-informed care, making it incorrect.
Choice D reason: Limiting staff members providing care reduces the client’s exposure to multiple providers, minimizing retraumatization and ensuring consistency. This trauma-informed approach fosters trust and safety post-sexual assault, aligning with best practices for psychological support, making it the correct intervention.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Limiting potassium intake is dangerous with digoxin, as low potassium (hypokalemia) increases the risk of digoxin toxicity by enhancing drug binding to cardiac cells. Adequate potassium levels are critical for safe use, as digoxin affects cardiac contractility, making this instruction incorrect and potentially harmful.
Choice B reason: Repeating a digoxin dose if the child vomits within 1 hour is unsafe without medical consultation, as it risks overdose. Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index, and toxicity can cause arrhythmias. Parents should contact the provider for guidance, making this instruction incorrect and dangerous.
Choice C reason: Adding digoxin to juice risks inaccurate dosing, as the child may not consume the full amount, leading to underdosing or toxicity if additional doses are given. Precise administration (e.g., via syringe) ensures correct dosing, critical for digoxin’s narrow therapeutic range, making this instruction inappropriate.
Choice D reason: Having the child drink water after digoxin ensures the dose is fully swallowed, preventing loss from spitting or incomplete ingestion. This supports accurate dosing, essential for digoxin’s safe use in heart failure, where it enhances cardiac output. This instruction is safe and effective, making it correct.
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