A registered nurse is taking care of three patients for depression. Each patient has been prescribed a different antidepressant agent. One patient is on a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI); the...

A registered nurse is taking care of three patients for depression.  Each patient has been prescribed a different antidepressant agent.  One patient is on a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI); the second patient is on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); and the third patient is on a tricyclic antidepressant.



Question 1: Describe the biogenic theory of depression; list three (3) biogenic amines; and profile why the deficiencies are thought to occur.


Question 2: Review the side effects clinically important drug-drug interactions for patients receiving tricyclic antidepressants.  List at least eight (8) side effects and two (2) drug-drug interactions for these patients. (P. 343-344)


Question 3: Regarding Drug Therapy Across the Lifespan, (p. 341), what concerns do nurses have when antidepressants are prescribed for children?  What considerations should the nurse have when TCAs, MAOs, and SSRIs are prescribed for children?