Final answer:
A nurse should expect a reduction in depressive symptoms after 2-4 weeks of amitriptyline treatment for major depressive disorder, as tricyclic antidepressants do not typically offer immediate relief and require time to become effective.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse assessing a client who has been receiving amitriptyline for the treatment of major depressive disorder should expect which of the following outcomes after one week? Considering the pharmacological profile of tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, and how they affect patients as opposed to normal subjects, the most appropriate expected outcome after one week of treatment would be d. A reduction in symptoms after 2-4 weeks.
It is important to understand that antidepressants like amitriptyline do not provide immediate relief from depressive symptoms. Initially, when given to normal subjects, tricyclic antidepressants often produce side effects such as drowsiness, lightheadedness, and increased anxiety, which are typically perceived as unpleasant. In contrast, when administered to patients with depression over a period of several weeks, they can induce an elevated mood. Thus, significant improvement in depressive symptoms is typically observed only after 2 to 4 weeks of consistent use. Immediate results such as increased energy, alertness, or full remission of symptoms within one week are not typical with this class of medication.