(Answered) NURS 6630- Week 8
Assignment 1:Short Answers
Assessment 2022
, WEEK 8 ASSIGNMENT 1 2
Short Answer Assessment
1). In 3 or 4 sentences, explain the appropriate drug therapy for a patient who presents
with MDD and a history of alcohol abuse. Which drugs are contraindicated, if any, and
why? Be specific. What is the timeframe that the patient should see resolution of
symptoms?
The appropriate drug therapy for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are considered as the first line treatment therapy
for patients having MDD. Considering this, the specific drug for a patient with MDD is Zoloft
(also known as Sertraline Hydrochloride). However, it is important to ensure that the patient is
not currently addicted to alcohol. Consumption of alcohol while on antidepressants can reduce
the efficacy of therapy and can worsen the symptoms of depression. It is because alcohol can
increase the severity of side effects of antidepressants as the patient will become more drowsy
and dizzy. Therefore, patient needs to be educated that he/she should avoid alcohol consumption
because if he/she will continue alcoholism then it can worsen the symptoms of depression and
can reduce the efficacy of treatment. Zoloft is also recommended for such patients because
Zoloft maintains the serotonin’s optimal levels and therefore enhances the serotonergic activities
in central nervous system. This drug is also recommended because of its milder side effects and
less toxic profile in overdose as compared to other tricyclic antidepressants. The initial
therapeutic dosage will be recommended which is 50mg PO once daily. If the patient failed to
respond to this dose, then the dose could be increased up to 150 mg PO once daily (Tolliver &
Anton, 2015).
This study source was downloaded by 100000836267798 from CourseHero.com on 10-26-2022 14:23:30 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/121627108/90docx/
Assignment 1:Short Answers
Assessment 2022
, WEEK 8 ASSIGNMENT 1 2
Short Answer Assessment
1). In 3 or 4 sentences, explain the appropriate drug therapy for a patient who presents
with MDD and a history of alcohol abuse. Which drugs are contraindicated, if any, and
why? Be specific. What is the timeframe that the patient should see resolution of
symptoms?
The appropriate drug therapy for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are considered as the first line treatment therapy
for patients having MDD. Considering this, the specific drug for a patient with MDD is Zoloft
(also known as Sertraline Hydrochloride). However, it is important to ensure that the patient is
not currently addicted to alcohol. Consumption of alcohol while on antidepressants can reduce
the efficacy of therapy and can worsen the symptoms of depression. It is because alcohol can
increase the severity of side effects of antidepressants as the patient will become more drowsy
and dizzy. Therefore, patient needs to be educated that he/she should avoid alcohol consumption
because if he/she will continue alcoholism then it can worsen the symptoms of depression and
can reduce the efficacy of treatment. Zoloft is also recommended for such patients because
Zoloft maintains the serotonin’s optimal levels and therefore enhances the serotonergic activities
in central nervous system. This drug is also recommended because of its milder side effects and
less toxic profile in overdose as compared to other tricyclic antidepressants. The initial
therapeutic dosage will be recommended which is 50mg PO once daily. If the patient failed to
respond to this dose, then the dose could be increased up to 150 mg PO once daily (Tolliver &
Anton, 2015).
This study source was downloaded by 100000836267798 from CourseHero.com on 10-26-2022 14:23:30 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/121627108/90docx/
