Question

A nurse is teaching a client who has intermittent explosive disorder about a new prescription for fluoxetine. Which of the following information should the nurse provide? (Select all that apply)

A. An adverse effect of this medication is CNS depression
B. Administer the medication in the morning
C. Monitor for weight loss while taking this medication
D. Therapeutic effects of this medication will take 1-3 weeks to fully develop
E. This medication blocks the synaptic reuptake of serotonin in the brain.

Answer 1

When teaching a client with intermittent explosive disorder about fluoxetine, the nurse should provide information about administering the medication in the morning, the timeline for therapeutic effects, and how the medication works to increase serotonin levels in the brain. The correct option is E.

Step-by-step explanation:

Fluoxetine, also known as Prozac, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression and other mental health conditions. The nurse should provide the following information to the client: Administer the medication in the morning. This is because fluoxetine can cause insomnia as a side effect, so taking it in the morning can help minimize sleep disturbances. Therapeutic effects will take 1-3 weeks to fully develop. It's important for the client to understand that it may take some time for the medication to start working and to experience its full benefits. This medication blocks the synaptic reuptake of serotonin in the brain. The nurse should explain that fluoxetine works by stopping the reuptake of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation, in the brain. By doing so, it increases the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can help elevate mood and improve symptoms of intermittent explosive disorder.

The nurse should provide the following information regarding fluoxetine, a medication prescribed for treating intermittent explosive disorder: Administer the medication in the morning to avoid insomnia, as it can be activating rather than sedating. Monitor for weight loss while taking this medication, as changes in weight can be a side effect of fluoxetine. The therapeutic effects of this medication will take 1-3 weeks to fully develop. Patients should be informed that they might not experience immediate improvement in their symptoms. This medication blocks the synaptic reuptake of serotonin in the brain, which can result in increased levels of serotonin in the synaptic cleft and potentially improve mood and impulse control. An adverse effect of CNS depression is not typically associated with fluoxetine, which is known to have stimulating rather than sedative effects.