A week after beginning fluoxetine, a patient reports, "I still feel so depressed all the time." Based on knowledge of the medication's pharmacodynamics, what is the nurse's most effective intervention?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Fluoxetine, like many antidepressants, can take several weeks before therapeutic effects are seen. It is important for the nurse to educate the patient and remind them that it may take time for the drug to be effective. The other choices are not appropriate interventions. Administering the medication on an empty stomach is not indicated for this medication, advising the healthcare provider that the drug is ineffective is premature, and reassessing the expected outcomes of antidepressant therapy is not the most effective intervention at this time.

A Week After Beginning Fluoxetine, a Patient Reports, "I Still