Final answer:
Nurse T's medication teaching on escitalopram should include how it works, its common side effects, administration instructions, possible drug interactions, and its role in a larger treatment plan.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nurse T should include several important pieces of information when providing medication teaching about escitalopram, which is one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Escitalopram, known by the brand name Lexapro, is commonly prescribed for patients with depression and anxiety disorders. Nurse T's teaching should cover:
- How escitalopram works to increase serotonin levels in the brain, which can improve mood and relieve anxiety.
- The importance of taking the medication as prescribed, without missing doses, and the potential risks of sudden discontinuation.
- Common side effects, such as nausea, fatigue, or sexual dysfunction, and instructions on what to do if severe side effects occur.
- The need to avoid certain medications that can interact with escitalopram, including certain blood pressure medications and other classes of antipsychotics.
- That it may take several weeks to notice improvements in symptoms and the importance of continuing the medication even if the patient feels better.
- The role of escitalopram as part of a broader treatment plan that may include psychotherapy, and other interventions like electroconvulsive therapy or deep-brain stimulation in resistant cases of depression.
It is critical that patients are made aware of potential interactions and the full spectrum of treatment options for depression.