VARCAROLIS FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING 2026 ASSESSMENT
SCRIPT DETAILED RESPONSES
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
◉ AMITRIPTYLINE: Purpose.
Answer: treatment of major depression
◉ SERTRALINE: Nursing Considerations.
Answer: Take consistently at same time of day; full therapeutic effect
may require 4 weeks
Take with food or milk to reduce GI symptoms
Can potentiate effects of digoxin, warfarin, diazepam, aspirin, and
NSAIDs
Avoid use with alcohol, CNS depressants, and disulfiram
Use caution in potentially hazardous activities
May increase risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior
May cause serotonin syndrome
Rx
◉ SERTRALINE: Side Effects.
,Answer: Headache, agitation
Dizziness, confusion
Tremor
Nausea, diarrhea
Sweating
Insomnia
Dry mouth
Male sexual dysfunction
Palpitations
Vision abnormalities
SIADH
Hepatitis
Hyponatremia
◉ SERTRALINE: Purpose.
Answer: treatment of major depression, OCD, PTSD, panic disorder,
social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder
◉ PAROXETINE: Nursing Considerations.
Answer: Decreases digoxin levels
Take consistently at same time of day; full therapeutic effects may
require 4 weeks
, Take with food or milk to reduce GI symptoms
May increase risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior
May increase risk of bleeding
Avoid use with alcohol, CNS depressants
Use caution in potentially hazardous activities
Do not discontinue abruptly
May cause serotonin syndrome
Rx; Preg Cat D
◉ PAROXETINE: Side Effects.
Answer: Palpitations, postural hypotension
Nervousness, insomnia
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
Hyponatremia
Decreased appetite
Impotence
UTI
Sweating
Nasal congestion, cough
◉ PAROXETINE: Purpose.
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING 2026 ASSESSMENT
SCRIPT DETAILED RESPONSES
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
◉ AMITRIPTYLINE: Purpose.
Answer: treatment of major depression
◉ SERTRALINE: Nursing Considerations.
Answer: Take consistently at same time of day; full therapeutic effect
may require 4 weeks
Take with food or milk to reduce GI symptoms
Can potentiate effects of digoxin, warfarin, diazepam, aspirin, and
NSAIDs
Avoid use with alcohol, CNS depressants, and disulfiram
Use caution in potentially hazardous activities
May increase risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior
May cause serotonin syndrome
Rx
◉ SERTRALINE: Side Effects.
,Answer: Headache, agitation
Dizziness, confusion
Tremor
Nausea, diarrhea
Sweating
Insomnia
Dry mouth
Male sexual dysfunction
Palpitations
Vision abnormalities
SIADH
Hepatitis
Hyponatremia
◉ SERTRALINE: Purpose.
Answer: treatment of major depression, OCD, PTSD, panic disorder,
social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder
◉ PAROXETINE: Nursing Considerations.
Answer: Decreases digoxin levels
Take consistently at same time of day; full therapeutic effects may
require 4 weeks
, Take with food or milk to reduce GI symptoms
May increase risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior
May increase risk of bleeding
Avoid use with alcohol, CNS depressants
Use caution in potentially hazardous activities
Do not discontinue abruptly
May cause serotonin syndrome
Rx; Preg Cat D
◉ PAROXETINE: Side Effects.
Answer: Palpitations, postural hypotension
Nervousness, insomnia
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
Hyponatremia
Decreased appetite
Impotence
UTI
Sweating
Nasal congestion, cough
◉ PAROXETINE: Purpose.
