A depressed older adult 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

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

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 Older Adult Patient Was Started on Antidepressant Drug