A patient is hospitalized for severe depression. Of the medications listed below, the nurse can expect to provide the patient with teaching about:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: sertraline (Zoloft) – an SSRI. Sertraline is commonly prescribed for depression due to its effectiveness in managing symptoms by balancing serotonin levels in the brain. Teaching for this medication would include instructions on how to take it, potential side effects, and the importance of compliance. A: chlordiazepoxide (Librium) is an antianxiety medication and not typically used as a first-line treatment for depression. B: clozapine (Clozaril) is an atypical antipsychotic mainly used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, not for depression. D: tacrine (Cognex) is used for Alzheimer's disease and is not indicated for depression. In summary, the other choices are incorrect because they are not commonly used to treat depression and do not have the same mechanism of action as sertraline in managing depressive symptoms.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: C is the correct answer because acetylcysteine has a strong, unpleasant taste. Disguising it with soda or flavored water helps improve palatability, increasing the likelihood of the patient taking it. This action enhances adherence to the treatment plan, ensuring the patient receives the full therapeutic benefit. A: Giving the medication undiluted is incorrect as it can lead to nausea and vomiting due to the strong taste. B: Avoiding the use of a straw is incorrect as it doesn't address the issue of the unpleasant taste. D: Acetylcysteine for acetaminophen overdose is typically given orally, not via a nebulizer.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Korsakoff’s psychosis. Chronic alcohol use can lead to a thiamine deficiency, resulting in Korsakoff’s psychosis characterized by severe memory loss and confabulation. Renal failure (A) is not directly linked to chronic alcohol use. Cerebrovascular accident (B) is more commonly associated with high blood pressure or atherosclerosis. Alzheimer’s disease (D) is a neurodegenerative disorder not directly caused by chronic alcohol use. In summary, Korsakoff’s psychosis is the most likely condition to result from chronic alcohol use due to thiamine deficiency.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because heparin is a fast-acting anticoagulant that is used initially to rapidly thin the blood while warfarin takes time to reach therapeutic levels. By using both medications together, the patient is protected against blood clots during this transition period. Choices A and B are incorrect because there is no evidence that the oral and injection forms work synergistically or result in fewer adverse effects when used together. Choice C is incorrect because heparin alone can achieve adequate anticoagulation levels, but the combination is more about the timing of onset of action for each medication.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "Take the bronchodilator inhaler first." The rationale for this instruction is that bronchodilators work by relaxing the muscles around the airways, allowing for easier breathing. Taking the bronchodilator first helps open up the airways, making it easier for the corticosteroid to reach deeper into the lungs and be more effective. If the corticosteroid is taken first, it may not reach the lower airways as effectively. Choice A is incorrect because taking the corticosteroid first may not optimize the effectiveness of both medications. Choice C is incorrect as it is important to take these inhalers in a specific order for optimal effect. Choice D is incorrect because the order of inhaler use can impact the effectiveness of the medications.