What should a nurse check for in clients starting antidepressant therapy with SSRIs?

When initiating antidepressant therapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), it is crucial for the nurse to assess the client's current medications for potential interactions. SSRIs can interact with a variety of medications, leading to significant clinical implications, such as increased risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with other serotonergic agents, or reduced efficacy of other drugs due to metabolic competition.

For instance, combining SSRIs with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or certain pain medications can lead to severe adverse effects. Assessing for potential drug interactions helps ensure patient safety and optimize therapeutic outcomes. This step is essential because many patients may not be aware of how their current medications could interact with a new SSRI treatment.

Monitoring aspects like kidney function, liver function, or gastrointestinal status can be important in the overall management of a patient, particularly if they have underlying conditions or if there are specific concerns related to drug metabolism and elimination. However, the immediate focus when starting SSRIs is on understanding drug interactions to prevent adverse effects.