VARCAROLIS FOUNDATIONS OF
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW 2026 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉FLUOXETINE: Nursing Considerations. Answer: Take consistently
at same time of day; full therapeutic effects may require 4 weeks
Can potentiate effects of digoxin, warfarin, diazepam, NSAIDs, and
aspirin
Avoid use with alcohol, CNS depressants
Use caution in potentially hazardous activities
May increase risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior
May cause serotonin syndrome
Rx; Preg Cat C
◉FLUOXETINE: Side Effects. Answer: Palpitations, hot flashes
Nausea, diarrhea, constipation
Decreased appetite
Nervousness, insomnia
UTI, frequency
Drowsiness, headache
,Rash, pruritus, excessive sweating
Fatigue
Tachycardia
Visual changes
Hemorrhage
Hyponatremia
Cough, dyspnea
◉FLUOXETINE: Purpose. Answer: treatment of major depression,
OCD, bulimia, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and panic disorders
◉ESCITALOPRAM: Nursing Considerations. Answer: Take
consistently at same time of day; therapeutic effect in up to 4 weeks
May require gradual reduction before stopping
Can potentiate effects of digoxin, warfarin, diazepam
Use caution in potentially hazardous activities; avoid alcohol
May increase risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Teach patient to avoid aspirin and NSAIDs due to increased bleeding
risk
May cause serotonin syndrome
Rx; Preg Cat C
, ◉ESCITALOPRAM: Side Effects. Answer: Nausea, diarrhea,
constipation
Fatigue, drowsiness
Decreased libido, sexual dysfunction
Nasal congestion, cough
Dry mouth
Dizziness, headache
Hypokalemia
Hyponatremia
Visual disturbances
Pain, arthritis
Sweating, rash
Hot flashes, palpitations
Postural hypotension
Hepatitis
Impaired platelet aggregation
◉ESCITALOPRAM: Purpose. Answer: treatment of major depression
and anxiety
◉CITALOPRAM: Nursing Considerations. Answer: Take consistently
at same time of day; therapeutic effects in up to 4 weeks
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW 2026 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉FLUOXETINE: Nursing Considerations. Answer: Take consistently
at same time of day; full therapeutic effects may require 4 weeks
Can potentiate effects of digoxin, warfarin, diazepam, NSAIDs, and
aspirin
Avoid use with alcohol, CNS depressants
Use caution in potentially hazardous activities
May increase risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior
May cause serotonin syndrome
Rx; Preg Cat C
◉FLUOXETINE: Side Effects. Answer: Palpitations, hot flashes
Nausea, diarrhea, constipation
Decreased appetite
Nervousness, insomnia
UTI, frequency
Drowsiness, headache
,Rash, pruritus, excessive sweating
Fatigue
Tachycardia
Visual changes
Hemorrhage
Hyponatremia
Cough, dyspnea
◉FLUOXETINE: Purpose. Answer: treatment of major depression,
OCD, bulimia, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and panic disorders
◉ESCITALOPRAM: Nursing Considerations. Answer: Take
consistently at same time of day; therapeutic effect in up to 4 weeks
May require gradual reduction before stopping
Can potentiate effects of digoxin, warfarin, diazepam
Use caution in potentially hazardous activities; avoid alcohol
May increase risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Teach patient to avoid aspirin and NSAIDs due to increased bleeding
risk
May cause serotonin syndrome
Rx; Preg Cat C
, ◉ESCITALOPRAM: Side Effects. Answer: Nausea, diarrhea,
constipation
Fatigue, drowsiness
Decreased libido, sexual dysfunction
Nasal congestion, cough
Dry mouth
Dizziness, headache
Hypokalemia
Hyponatremia
Visual disturbances
Pain, arthritis
Sweating, rash
Hot flashes, palpitations
Postural hypotension
Hepatitis
Impaired platelet aggregation
◉ESCITALOPRAM: Purpose. Answer: treatment of major depression
and anxiety
◉CITALOPRAM: Nursing Considerations. Answer: Take consistently
at same time of day; therapeutic effects in up to 4 weeks
