Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What does the addition of mood stabilizers to antidepressants aim to address?

1. Drug resistance

2. Treatment resistance

3. Dosage efficacy

4. Patient consent

The correct answer is: Treatment resistance

The addition of mood stabilizers to antidepressants primarily aims to address treatment resistance, which refers to a lack of response to standard antidepressant therapies. Some patients, particularly those with bipolar disorder or mood disorders characterized by significant fluctuations in mood, may not achieve sufficient relief from depressive symptoms when only antidepressants are used. In such cases, incorporating mood stabilizers can enhance the overall effectiveness of the treatment regimen, providing better control over mood fluctuations and improving symptoms. Using mood stabilizers helps to mitigate the risk of inducing manic or hypomanic episodes, which can occur when antidepressants are used alone in individuals with bipolar disorder. Therefore, the strategic combination of these medications can lead to a more balanced treatment approach, ultimately aiming for greater stability and improved therapeutic outcomes for the patient.