Which individual is demonstrating the highest level of resilience?

Choice A reason: MAOIs inhibit monoamine oxidase, increasing catecholamine levels. Consuming tyramine-rich foods or certain drugs can cause excessive norepinephrine release, leading to a hypertensive crisis with severe blood pressure elevation. This life-threatening condition requires strict dietary and drug restrictions, making this the correct nursing consideration.

Choice B reason: Hypoglycemia is unrelated to MAOIs, which primarily affect neurotransmitter metabolism, not glucose regulation. MAOIs do not interact with insulin or glucose pathways, and dietary restrictions focus on tyramine, not sugars. This condition is not a risk associated with MAOI use, making this choice incorrect.

Choice C reason: Hypotensive shock is not a primary risk of MAOIs. While orthostatic hypotension can occur, the more critical concern is hypertensive crisis due to tyramine interactions. Hypotensive shock is unrelated to MAOI pharmacology or dietary restrictions, making this an incorrect choice for nursing instructions.

Choice D reason: Cardiac dysrhythmias are not a primary risk of MAOI-related food or drug interactions. While cardiovascular effects like hypertension can occur, the specific risk is hypertensive crisis, not arrhythmias. This choice does not accurately reflect the primary concern of MAOI use, making it incorrect.

Choice A reason: Asking about feelings explores emotions but does not address the patient’s question about neurotransmitters. Educational queries require informative responses to enhance understanding, not redirection to feelings, making this choice non-therapeutic and incorrect for the patient’s need.

Choice B reason: Explaining neurotransmitters as brain communication chemicals directly addresses the patient’s question. It provides clear, accurate information about their role in mood and behavior, aligning with patient education principles in psychiatric nursing, making this the correct, informative response.

Choice C reason: Focusing on medication avoids explaining neurotransmitters, failing to address the patient’s educational need. It shifts focus prematurely to treatment, which may confuse the patient, making this response less effective and incorrect for providing the requested information.

Choice D reason: Deferring to the doctor dismisses the nurse’s role in patient education, undermining trust. Nurses are equipped to explain basic concepts like neurotransmitters, and this response fails to meet the patient’s need for understanding, making it non-therapeutic and incorrect.