Question

A client diagnosed with a gambling disorder asks the nurse about medications that may be ordered by the client's

physician to treat this disorder. The nurse would give the client information on which medications?
1. Escitalopram (Lexapro) and clozapine (Clozaril)
2. Citalopram (Celexa) and olanzapine (Zyprexa)
3. Lithium carbonate (Lithobid) and sertraline (Zoloft)
4. Naltrexone (ReVia) and ziprasidone (Geodon)

Answer 1

For a client with a gambling disorder, medications that modulate neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and serotonin could be used. Naltrexone (ReVia), an opioid antagonist, could help reduce cravings associated with gambling, while SSRIs like sertraline (Zoloft) could treat co-occurring disorders.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering medications to treat a client with a gambling disorder, it's important to understand the neurological factors that contribute to this condition. In the context of neurotransmitters, gambling has been associated with changes in the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin. Medications that modulate the activity of these neurotransmitters may be used in treatment. For instance, naltrexone (ReVia) is an opioid antagonist that has shown promise in reducing the cravings and pleasure associated with gambling. On the other hand, SSRIs such as sertraline (Zoloft) can influence serotonin levels and therefore can be used to treat co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety, which may be present in individuals with a gambling disorder. Therefore, naltrexone and sertraline are some of the medications that could potentially be ordered by the physician to treat gambling disorder.