Question

a nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing alternating periods of elevated and depressed mood. which medication would the nurse anticipate the provider ordering?

○ antidepressant

○ mood stabilizer

○ dopamine antagonist

○ benzodiazepine

Explanation:

The client’s alternating elevated and depressed mood is characteristic of bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers are the first-line medications for managing both manic (elevated mood) and depressive episodes in bipolar disorder, whereas antidepressants alone may trigger mania, dopamine antagonists target psychosis, and benzodiazepines address anxiety/insomnia—not the core mood swings.

Answer:

mood stabilizer