A depressed elderly patient was started on antidepressant drug therapy 3 weeks ago. The highest nursing priority when working with this patient at this time would be:

Question

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The primary nursing responsibility for a depressed patient is to protect him from self-injury, especially after the patient has been started on antidepressant therapy. Before that time, the patient may not have had the energy to commit self-injury.

A Depressed Elderly Patient Was Started on Antidepressant Drug Therapy