NU 550 Week 02 Discussion - Anxiety and Depression, ADHD
Hello Class!
Welcome to Week 2! This week we will focus on medications for depression, anxiety, ADHD and substance abuse. No matter what your specialty will be, you will need to be familiar with these medications. The mainstay for Anxiety and Depression are SSRI and SNRI medication classes. These work by preventing the reuptake of serotonin or norepinephrine. These are usually first line medications in the Primary Care setting. Choice of drug depends on patient preference, tolerability, safety in overdose, other psychiatric illnesses and past evidence of effectiveness in the patient (Epocrates, 2025). I would also note that in my own patients I will also consider side effect profiles of the antidepressants. For example, if a patient is concerned about weight gain than I generally choose a medication that is weight neutral or causes weight loss if the patient is obese (e.g., prozac or the atypical antidepressant wellbutrin). Other considerations can include cooccurring anxiety and depression - if anxiety is dominant symptomatically, then lexapro is a great choice! I also always ask about pregnancy and breastfeeding in my female patients. Zoloft is an excellent and safe choice for breastfeeding moms who are experiencing Postpartum Depression or Anxiety.
Please let me know if you have questions regarding the readings. I have received a lot of concern regarding the textbook and I want to let you know I understand and appreciate your frustration. I have communicated the concerns to the School of Nursing. There should be only slight differences in the textbooks and the PowerPoints will serve as guidance for the exams.
Online Discussion Post Writing Services
Have a fabulous week! I will finish up grading the discussion boards from week one this week!
Due this week:
Textbook
Woo, T. & Robinson, M. (2024). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice nurse prescribers (6th ed.). F.A. Davis.
· Chapters 29, 30, 49
Week 02 Multimedia and Related Websites
· Audio/PowerPoint presentations
o Anxiety and Depression
o ADHD
Week 02 Discussion - Anxiety and Depression, ADHD
Week 02 Assignment - Set up digital access for NP Certification Booster (Due in Week 14)
