Indications
This chemical messenger in the brain is highly correlated with many mental health disorders. SSRIs work by inhibiting their reuptake, which boosts mood.
What is serotonin?
This SSRI goes by the brand name Paxil.
What is Paroxetine?
SSRIs carry this black box warning that all nurses should carefully monitor for.
What is increased risk of suicidal behavior in younger patients?
This famous herb seems to mess with every medication known to man, and SSRIs are no different. In fact, use of this herbal supplement can cause Serotonin Syndrome, as it increases serum levels of SSRIs.
What is St. John's Wort?
This medication is the newest SSRI developed.
What is Escitalopram (Lexapro)?
This disorder, characterized by persistently low mood or loss of interest in activities, is commonly treated with SSRIs.
What is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?
Although it's probably not a good example of theraputic communication, a nurse can suggest this medication to a patient with the following pun: "Feeling a little down? Time to Luvox yourself again.”
What is Fluvoxamine?
When discussing SSRIs, headache, anxiety, insomnia, transient nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are catagorized as a certain type of effect.
A patient receives their SSRI prescription and exclaims "I am so excited that I will feel instantly better!" The nurse has to break the news that the patient may have to wait this many days before feeling improvement in symptoms.
What is veterinary medicine?
This disorder is a mental health condition characterized by constant worry and feelings of being overwhelmed, even by everyday things, and is treated by SSRIs.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
This common antidepressant, with the generic name of Escitalopram, is mentioned by name in Kanye West's 2016 Life of Pablo album.
What is Lexapro?
A patient presents to the ER stating they stopped taking their SSRI abruptly. The nurse anticipates the following assessment findings.
What are flu like symptoms, N/V/D, insomnia, dizziness, and irritability.
A patient informs the nurse that they take 30mg of Citalopram every day. The nurse recognizes something is true about taking 20 to 50mg of this medication per day.
What is the usual dosage range?
Serotonin is released by this surprising cell to assist in blood vessel constriction, and encourages more of this important clot forming ingredient to aggregate. This means SSRIs can alter patients bleeding risk and careful monitoring is required if the patient takes aspirin, NSAIDs, or other anticoagulants.
This disorder, also treated by SSRIs, is characterized by binging and purging.
What is Bulimia Nervosa?
The trade name of this SSRI might accidentally summon your Amazon branded robotic assistant due to the phonetic similarities.
What is Citalopram (Celexa)?
This life threatening syndrome is caused by excess of serotonin, often from SSRI therapy, and is manifested by AMS, high heart rate, fever, tremors, or rigidity.
What is serotonin syndrome?
A patient says that they stopped taking their SSRI because they felt like they had gotten better. The nurse should educate the patient about what important aspect of SSRI therapy.
What is "don't stop taking the medication abruptly?"
90% of your body's serotonin is created in this place. Hint: trust your ___ when answering this question.
What is your gut?
This mental health disorder is characterized by frequent unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors, and is commonly treated by SSRIs.
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
This mediation appears in the famous 1999 film Sixth Sense, where is it shown to be in capsule form. After the release of the film, this was criticized for accuracy as this medication is typically produced as a tablet in the U.S.
What is Sertraline (Zoloft)?
SSRIs and other antidepressant medications are used for a variety of conditions, however they should be used very cautiously in this mental health condition because of the possibility of precipitating a manic episode.
What is bipolar disorder?
What is concern for suicidal actions?