Amitriptyline,a Tricyclic Antidepressant,is Being Administered to a Patient with Chronic

Amitriptyline,a tricyclic antidepressant,is being administered to a patient with chronic cancer pain.What does the nurse recognize as the expected outcome of administration of this drug?

A) Increased pain threshold by stimulating the release of endogenous enkephalins
B) Decreased perception of pain by blocking opiate receptors in the brain and descending inhibitory nerves
C) Decreased transmission of pain impulses by altering serotonin and norepinephrine activity at nerve synapses
D) Increased pain tolerance through relief of depression by increasing the amounts of norepinephrine in the brain