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: Removing a thermometer for use on another client risks cross-contamination, as C. difficile spores are highly transmissible. Dedicated equipment is required to prevent spread, so this action is incorrect and violates infection control protocols.
Choice B reason: Wearing a gown during care prevents C. difficile spore transmission via contact, a key precaution for this infection. This aligns with CDC contact isolation guidelines, protecting staff and other patients, making it the correct action.
Choice C reason: Washing hands with alcohol-based cleaner is ineffective against C. difficile spores, which require soap and water to physically remove them. This action is incorrect and inadequate for infection control in this scenario.
Choice D reason: Wearing an N95 respirator is unnecessary, as C. difficile is not airborne. Contact precautions (gown, gloves) suffice, so this action is incorrect and overprotective, wasting resources without addressing the transmission mode.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Increased energy and motivation signal improvement in major depressive disorder, countering fatigue and anhedonia. Serotonin and norepinephrine rebalance, often from treatment, restores drive and engagement, reflecting neurochemical stabilization in the brain’s limbic system, critical for mood regulation and recovery.
Choice B reason: Self-doubt in decision-making reflects persistent depressive symptoms, like low self-esteem and cognitive impairment. Negative thought patterns, driven by altered prefrontal cortex activity, indicate ongoing depression, not improvement, requiring adjusted interventions to address these neurocognitive deficits in major depressive disorder.
Choice C reason: Sleeping 12 hours daily indicates hypersomnia, a depressive symptom, suggesting no improvement. Disrupted circadian rhythms and serotonin dysregulation cause excessive sleep, contrasting with recovery signs like normalized sleep patterns. This reflects persistent neurochemical imbalances hindering mood stabilization in depression.
Choice D reason: Social isolation is a core depressive symptom, driven by anhedonia and low mood, indicating no improvement. Withdrawal reflects ongoing dopamine and serotonin imbalances, preventing social engagement. Recovery involves increased interaction, making isolation a sign of persistent major depressive disorder.
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