Question

To which of the following nursing home residents could the nurse safely administer tricyclic antidepressants without questioning the health care provider's order?

A) An 85 year-old male with narrow-angle glaucoma
B) An African-American with benign prostatic hypertrophy
C) A 65 year-old female with mild hypertension
D) A Hispanic female with coronary artery disease

Answer 1

Tricyclic antidepressants can be safely administered to a nursing home resident with mild hypertension.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tricyclic antidepressants are a class of medication commonly used to treat depression. However, they are contraindicated in certain groups of individuals due to their potential side effects.

In this case, the nurse could safely administer tricyclic antidepressants to the 65-year-old female with mild hypertension (option C). Mild hypertension is not a contraindication for tricyclic antidepressants, unlike the other conditions listed.

It is important for the nurse to question the health care provider's order if the resident has narrow-angle glaucoma, benign prostatic hypertrophy, or coronary artery disease, as these conditions can be worsened by tricyclic antidepressants and require alternative treatment options.