Question

Before beginning therapy with tricyclic antidepressants, the nurse should assess for concurrent use of which of the following types of medications?

Select one:
a. Aspirin
b. Anticoagulants
c. Diuretics
d. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs

Answer 1

Before starting tricyclic antidepressants, one should assess for concurrent use of MAOIs because of potential serious side effects from drug interactions affecting neurotransmitter levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before beginning therapy with tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine or amitriptyline, it is crucial to assess for concurrent use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). This is because the combination of tricyclic antidepressants and MAOIs can lead to serious side effects due to interactions that affect neurotransmitter levels in the central nervous system. Patients should be advised about the risks of combining these medications and monitored closely if such a combination is deemed necessary by a healthcare professional.