Nokea
A client with schizophrenia is prescribed antipsychotic therapy. When developing the plan of care for the client, the nurse integrates understanding that the client is at risk for extrapyramidal syndrome. The nurse would expect to assess the client for this adverse reaction at which time?
- A. Once a week
- B. At the initiation of therapy
- C. When the dose is reduced
- D. Every 3 months
- E. When the dose is increased
Correct Answer: B,C,E
Rationale: The nurse should assess for EPS during initial therapy and whenever the dosage is increased or decreased.
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After teaching a group of nursing students about antipsychotic drugs, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify aripiprazole (Abilify) as exerting its effect on which of the following in the brain? Select all that apply.
- A. Serotonin
- B. Dopamine
- C. Norepinephrine
- D. Muscarinic
- E. Nicotinic
Correct Answer: A,B
Rationale: Atypical antipsychotic drugs like aripiprazole (Abilify) are thought to act on serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain. The conventional, or first-generation, antipsychotics (FGAs) work to diminish the positive symptoms by blocking dopamine transmission.
When teaching a client who is to receive antipsychotic therapy, the nurse would include which of the following as a common skin reaction that might occur when initiating therapy? Select all that apply.
- A. Urticaria
- B. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- C. Photosensitivity
- D. Hyperpigmentation
- E. Toxic epidermal necrolysis
Correct Answer: A,C
Rationale: Urticaria and photosensitivity are common skin reactions a nurse should warn a client about when the client is initiated on antipsychotic therapy.
When administering antipsychotic drugs, the nurse would need to keep in mind that which of the following atypical antipsychotics are most commonly associated with weight gain? Select all that apply.
- A. Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
- B. Rispendone (Risperdal)
- C. Ziprasidone (Geodon)
- D. Quetiapine (Seroquel)
- E. Clozapine (Clozaril)
Correct Answer: A,B
Rationale: Olanzapine (Zyprexa) and risperidone (Risperdal) are atypical antipsychotics that are most commonly associated with weight gain. None of the other drugs are associated with weight gain.
A client is prescribed clozapine. The nurse instructs the client on the need for weekly laboratory testing for which of the following?
- A. Serum lithium
- B. WBC count
- C. Blood glucose
- D. pH level
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Use of the drug clozapine has been associated with severe agranulocytosis (i.e., decreased white blood cells), so weekly WBC count tests are scheduled. Serum lithium tests are taken for clients who have been administered lithium, not clozapine. There is no need to check blood glucose or pH level.
A nurse asses a client receiving antipsychotic drugs for which of the following adverse reactions?
- A. Hypertension
- B. Skin dryness
- C. Dry mouth
- D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should monitor the client for mouth dryness. Antipsychotic drugs cause hypotension, not hypertension. Skin dryness and bradycardia are not adverse reactions related to the administration of antipsychotic drugs.