A patient taking an antidepressant develops new suicidal thoughts during the first weeks of treatment. Which nursing action is the priority?
Correct answer: B. Assess immediate safety and suicidal intent
- A. Leave the patient alone to promote rest
- B. Assess immediate safety and suicidal intent
- C. Tell the patient the thoughts are expected
- D. Stop every medicine without consultation
Explanation
New suicidal thoughts require immediate safety assessment, observation and timely communication with the prescriber or mental health team. The patient should not be left alone, and antidepressants should not be stopped abruptly without clinical direction.
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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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