Prior to initiating a treatment regimen with the antidepressant sertraline, it is most important for the nurse to obtain which information?
Any history of heart disease.
Familial history of mental illness.
Current weight.
Medication history.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
It is crucial to obtain information about any history of heart disease before starting an antidepressant-like sertraline because certain antidepressants can have effects on the heart's electrical conduction system. Sertraline, in particular, may be associated with QT interval prolongation, and individuals with a history of heart disease may be at higher risk. Assessing this history helps the nurse make informed decisions about the client's treatment and potential risks.
Choice B rationale:
While a familial history of mental illness is important to consider, it is not the most critical information to obtain before starting sertraline. The primary concern with sertraline is its potential impact on the heart's electrical conduction system, making option A (heart disease history) more relevant.
Choice C rationale:
Current weight is essential to monitor during treatment with sertraline as it can impact dosing, but it is not the most critical piece of information to obtain before starting the medication.
Choice D rationale:
Medication history is important but not the most critical information in this context. Assessing any history of heart disease (Option A) takes precedence due to the specific cardiovascular risks associated with sertraline.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"B"},"B":{"answers":"C"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"D"}}
Explanation
A. The client discusses moving to Hawaii instead of returning to rebuild her house.
Defense Mechanism: Fantasy
- Explanation: The client may be using fantasy as a way to escape from the painful reality of her situation. Discussing moving to a place like Hawaii, which may represent an idealized and stress-free environment, suggests a desire to avoid confronting the challenges and emotions associated with her current circumstances.
B. The client seems unemotional when talking about needing to rebuild her house.
Defense Mechanism: Isolation
- Explanation: Isolation, or emotional isolation, occurs when an individual separates emotions from the events or thoughts associated with them. The client's lack of emotional response when discussing rebuilding her house suggests that she may be isolating her feelings to avoid distress.
C. The client states that she sometimes forgets why she is in the hospital.
Defense Mechanism: Suppression
- Explanation: Suppression involves the conscious effort to avoid thinking about distressing thoughts or memories. The client's statement that she sometimes forgets why she is in the hospital may indicate an attempt to suppress or avoid focusing on the traumatic event that led to her hospitalization.
D. The client is frightened that the hospital will burn down.
Defense Mechanism: Denial
- Explanation: Denial involves refusing to accept the reality of a situation, which can manifest as irrational fears or beliefs. The client's fear that the hospital will burn down may reflect a form of denial, as she might be projecting her fear of the collapse (a traumatic event) onto another catastrophic event, thereby avoiding dealing with her actual trauma.
Summary of Answers:
- A. Fantasy - The client discusses moving to Hawaii instead of returning to rebuild her house.
- B. Isolation - The client seems unemotional when talking about needing to rebuild her house.
- C. Suppression - The client states that she sometimes forgets why she is in the hospital.
- D. Denial - The client is frightened that the hospital will burn down.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Rationale:
Ecchymotic blood accumulations (bruises) are indicative of possible trauma or injury to the scalp. In this case, it suggests that the hair loss is likely due to physical manipulation (such as pulling or arranging the hair to cover bald spots) rather than a medical condition.
Choice B rationale:
This choice suggests that evidence of patches of lost hair would be indicative of non-disease-related hair loss. However, this is not necessarily true. Medical conditions, such as alopecia areata, can also cause patchy hair loss without physical trauma. Therefore, it is not a definitive indicator that hair loss is not disease-related.
Choice C rationale:
Episodic complaints of pruritus (itching) could be associated with various scalp conditions, including those that lead to hair loss. Itching alone does not rule out disease-related hair loss. In fact, some medical conditions can cause both itching and hair loss.
Choice D rationale:
Erythema (redness) of localized lesions may suggest inflammation but does not necessarily indicate non-disease-related hair loss. Medical conditions can also cause localized inflammation and hair loss.
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