A client complains of difficulty staying awake during the daytime.It is common for the client to briefly fall asleep at stoplights, while standing in line at the bank counter, and whenever the client sits in a chair for more than five minutes.Sometimes the client experiences sudden slurred speech, sagging of the jaw, and nodding of the head.The client's spouse complains that the client sleepwalks.The client is diagnosed with narcolepsy, and is started on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).The nurse explains to the client that the SSRI is given to treat:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

CSelective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are used in the treatment of narcolepsy to manage symptoms such as cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone, which could manifest as slurred speech, sagging of the jaw, and nodding of the head, as described in option A) and to improve sleep quality, which can indirectly address behaviors like sleepwalking (option C). SSRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can help regulate mood, sleep, and other functions. However, their primary use in narcolepsy is not directly to elevate energy levels or act as stimulants, but rather to manage these specific symptoms.

A Client Complains of Difficulty Staying Awake During the Daytime