Mrs. Burgess is a 67-year-old female who was recently diagnosed with depression and prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant drug. In addition, she is on medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol and takes a calcium supplement. She phones her physician's office complaining of problems with constipation. The nurse suspects that the problems may be due to _____.

Question

Mrs. Burgess is a 67-year-old female who was recently diagnosed with depression and prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant drug. In addition, she is on medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol and takes a calcium supplement. She phones her physician's office complaining of problems with constipation. The nurse suspects that the problems may be due to _____.​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse suspects that Mrs. Burgess's constipation may be due to her medications, as tricyclic antidepressants and calcium supplements are known to cause constipation as a side effect. Age, depression, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are less likely to be direct causes of constipation.

Mrs Burgess Is a 67-Year-Old Female Who Was Recently Diagnosed