Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Discontinuation syndrome

Based on emerging research findings, nurses are urged to become more aware of SSRI discontinuation syndrome. To ameliorate or avoid the associated symptoms, client education is recommended, and dosage tapering is encouraged whenever possible. Although the symptoms associated with discontinuation syndrome usually are mild, they may pose particular safety concerns for clients with co-occurring conditions. In these situations, precautions should be taken to prevent exacerbation of existing problems.     

Firm outsourcing decisions: evidence from U.S. foreign trade zones

This article examines the operations of firms located in U.S. foreign trade subzones to study the responsiveness of outsourcing to international cost changes. I find that firms reduce their reliance on foreign inputs when dollar depreciation increases the relative price of imported inputs. The effect is pervasive across industries and is economically significant. In addition, firms that rely more heavily on imported intermediate inputs reduce their overall shipments when dollar depreciation elevates their imported, input costs. However, the magnitude of the shipments effect is economically small, suggesting that firms respond to exchange rate movements by adjusting their operations on other dimensions.     

Serotonin syndrome and the use of SSRIs

Nurses need to become more aware of serotonin syndrome to avoid its development and to ensure a therapeutic response when early symptoms emerge. While polypharmacy tends to put individuals at greatest risk for the syndrome, use of a single serotonergic agent may also provoke an adverse response. Because the onset and progression of serotonin syndrome are rapid, prompt action may be needed to avoid potentially life-threatening consequences.     

Resolving alcohol problems using an online self-help approach: moderation management

As illustrated by the emergent MM approach discussed in this article, a paradigm shift is occurring in relation to how alcohol problems are defined and managed. Moreover, one of the most interesting aspects of this transformation is the way in which similar belief systems are simultaneously emerging from divergent lay and professional groups. In spite of this flurry of activity and optimism, however, nurses should not embrace new frameworks and treatment strategies. Rather, the charge to our discipline and others is to think critically, research the effectiveness of newly proposed treatment approaches, and recommend and implement promising strategies with discernment.     

Use of self-help manuals to treat problem drinkers

In spite of research findings indicating that alcohol abusers may benefit from self-help manuals, health care providers have been slow to recognize their potential usefulness. As self-care strategies grow more popular and funding for traditional forms of alcohol treatment diminish, health care providers need to look more seriously at these materials. They also need to be aware of new innovations such as self-help materials that can be purchased on diskette. It may not be long before computerized materials sit next to printed manuals on bookstore shelves, and nurses need to know which materials to recommend.     

Use of brief interventions to treat individuals with drinking problems

Further research is needed to unequivocally establish the most effective types of brief interventions and the most opportune times to use them. However, in light of what is presently known, nurses must be aware of the stages of behavioral change and intervene in the most efficacious way possible. Readiness to change can be detected by being sensitive to individuals' willingness to disclose information, attentiveness to advice and suggestions, and tendencies to ask questions and seek situation-specific information. Even when advice is apparently ignored, it is important to remember that a clinician's caring and nonjudgmental attitude may help move clients toward a more advanced stage of change and provide opportunities to intervene later on.