A Psychiatric Nurse Is Teaching a Patient About an Antidepressant

question 5

Multiple Choice

A psychiatric nurse is teaching a patient about an antidepressant medication. The nurse tells the patient that therapeutic effects may not occur for several weeks. The nurse understands that this is likely the result of:

• A) changes in the brain as a result of prolonged drug exposure.
• B) direct actions of the drug on specific synaptic functions in the brain.
• C) slowed drug absorption across the blood-brain barrier.
• D) tolerance to exposure to the drug over time.

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Definitions:

Behaviour

Actions or reactions of an individual or group in response to external or internal stimuli.

Instrumental Conditioning

A learning process in which the consequences of a behavior influence the likelihood of its recurrence, emphasizing rewards and punishments.

Attitude

An inclination in psychology marked by assessing an entity with a certain level of like or dislike.

Buckley's

A brand known for its line of over-the-counter medications, notable for their pronounced taste and effectiveness claim.