Question

A client is brought to the crisis intervention center by his wife, who states that he has been increasingly listless and less involved with his family recently. She reports that he sleeps poorly, eats little, and can barely perform basic self-care activities. She also reveals that 3 months ago he was in a car accident in which his best friend was killed. After the physician diagnoses acute depression, the nurse should anticipate administering:

1. Paroxetine (Paxil), 20 mg by mouth (P.O.) every morning.
2. Amitriptyline (Elavil), 20 mg P.O. daily.
3. Doxepin (Sinequan), 500 mg daily.
4. Imipramine (Tofranil), 500 mg daily.

Answer 1

The nurse should anticipate administering Paroxetine (Paxil), 20 mg orally every morning, for the treatment of a client diagnosed with acute depression, as it is a commonly prescribed SSRI that helps increase serotonin levels to combat depressive symptoms. SSRIs such as Paroxetine have a delayed onset of action, requiring consistent administration and patience to see beneficial effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

A client with symptoms of listlessness, poor sleep, reduced appetite, difficulty in performing basic self-care activities, and a recent experience of trauma (a car accident resulting in the loss of a best friend) has been diagnosed with acute depression. The nurse should anticipate administering a medication as part of the treatment plan for depression. Considering the options provided and the most commonly used classes of antidepressants, the nurse should anticipate administering Paroxetine (Paxil), 20 mg by mouth (P.O.) every morning. Paroxetine falls under the class of drugs known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), and these medications help to increase the levels of serotonin in the central nervous system, which can alleviate the symptoms of depression. It is important to note that antidepressants typically take several weeks to show clinical effects, and continuing the medication as prescribed by the physician is necessary for proper treatment of depression.