ATI Pharmacology Proctored Exam Related

Review ATI Pharmacology Proctored Exam related questions and content

A client with OCD has a new prescription for Paroxetine. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

  • A. It can take several weeks before you feel like the medication is helping.
  • B. Take the medication just before bedtime to promote sleep.
  • C. You should take the medication when needed for obsessive urges.
  • D. Monitor for weight gain while taking this medication.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct instruction for the nurse to include when teaching a client with OCD who has a new prescription for Paroxetine is that it can take several weeks before the client feels like the medication is helping. Paroxetine, like other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can take 1 to 4 weeks before the client reaches the full therapeutic benefit. Therefore, it is important to inform the client about this delay in onset of action to manage their expectations and promote adherence to the treatment plan. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because taking Paroxetine before bedtime is not necessary, it should be taken consistently at the same time each day; Paroxetine is usually taken regularly, not as needed; and while monitoring weight is important, it is not a specific instruction related to the onset of action for Paroxetine.