For a female client with major depressive disorder reporting feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, what is the nurse's priority intervention?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the client's risk for suicide. When a client expresses feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, it indicates a high risk of self-harm or suicide. Therefore, the priority intervention should be to assess the client's safety. Encouraging the client to join a support group (choice A) may be beneficial but not the priority at this time. Referring the client for cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (choice B) and suggesting daily exercise (choice D) are important interventions in managing depression but assessing the risk for suicide takes precedence due to the immediate safety concern.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The statement 'I can drink alcohol in moderation while taking this medication' indicates a need for further teaching because alcohol consumption can have dangerous interactions with MAOIs. MAOIs can interact with alcohol to cause a hypertensive crisis, which can be life-threatening. Choices A and B are correct statements as avoiding tyramine-rich foods and taking the medication with food can help prevent adverse effects. Choice D is incorrect because abruptly stopping an antidepressant medication like an MAOI can lead to withdrawal symptoms and a relapse of depression.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The most important laboratory test for an LPN/LVN to monitor for a client with schizophrenia being treated with clozapine is the white blood cell count. Clozapine treatment is associated with a risk of agranulocytosis, a severe drop in white blood cells, which can be life-threatening. Monitoring the white blood cell count regularly helps to detect this adverse effect early. Liver function tests (Choice B) are important to monitor with some antipsychotic medications but are not the most crucial for clozapine. Blood glucose levels (Choice C) are more relevant for monitoring in clients on medications like atypical antipsychotics that can cause metabolic side effects. Platelet count (Choice D) is not typically affected by clozapine therapy and is not the most important test to monitor in this case.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The statement 'I can stop taking this medication once I feel better' indicates a need for further teaching. Antipsychotic medications, like risperidone, should be taken consistently even when symptoms improve to prevent relapse. Choice B is incorrect because avoiding foods high in tyramine is unrelated to risperidone. Choice C is incorrect as avoiding alcohol is a standard precaution with many medications. Choice D is incorrect because being cautious about drowsiness and avoiding driving is a common safety measure associated with risperidone.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct response is option D) "You should take this medication only when you feel sad or depressed." This option is incorrect because it goes against best practices in mental health nursing. The best response should be option B) "This medication needs to be taken regularly to be effective." This answer is correct because SSRIs, like most antidepressants, require consistent daily intake to reach and maintain therapeutic levels in the body. Missing doses or taking the medication inconsistently can lead to reduced effectiveness and may even exacerbate symptoms. Option A) "This medication will help balance the chemicals in your brain" is partially correct in explaining the mechanism of action of SSRIs, but it fails to emphasize the importance of daily compliance. Option C) "This medication will start working immediately to improve your mood" is incorrect as SSRIs typically take several weeks to build up in the system and produce noticeable effects. In an educational context, it is crucial for nurses to effectively communicate the rationale behind medication regimens to clients to ensure adherence and optimal treatment outcomes. Understanding the importance of regular medication intake is fundamental in managing mental health conditions like depression, and nurses play a key role in promoting medication adherence and providing accurate information to empower clients in their treatment journey.