Fairly easy

A patient prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant reports dizziness after standing and near fainting. Which action should the nurse take first?

Correct answer: A. Assist the patient to sit or lie down and check blood pressure

  • A. Assist the patient to sit or lie down and check blood pressure
  • B. Tell the patient to walk quickly to improve circulation
  • C. Give an extra dose to prevent the symptom from returning
  • D. Encourage driving so the patient can reach medical care alone

Explanation

Postural dizziness may reflect orthostatic hypotension, creating an immediate fall risk. Safety and assessment come first, followed by reporting the finding and reviewing the medicine, rather than giving an extra dose or encouraging ambulation.

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About Analgesics and CNS Drugs

This area covers opioid and non-opioid analgesics, local anaesthetics, sedatives, anxiolytics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiepileptics and drugs for Parkinsonism. It examines therapeutic actions, dependence, respiratory depression, extrapyramidal effects, serotonin related toxicity and the distinction between pain relief, sedation and loss of consciousness.

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