A patient has been prescribed clozapine for treatment of schizophrenia. Which of the following would the nurse include in the teaching plan for this patient and family?
- A. You may experience hypertension while taking this medication.
- B. One of the side effects of this medication is breast engorgement.
- C. People taking this medication often experience dermatitis.
- D. You may experience noticeable weight gain while taking this medication.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clozapine is associated with significant weight gain, a common side effect that should be included in patient education. Hypertension, breast engorgement, and dermatitis are not typical side effects of clozapine.
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A nurse administers a prescribed dose of lithium at 8 PM. The nurse would schedule a specimen to be obtained for a blood level at which time?
- A. 10:00 PM
- B. 12:00 AM
- C. 4:00 AM
- D. 8:00 AM
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Lithium levels are typically drawn 12 hours after the last dose to measure trough levels, ensuring steady-state concentration. A dose at 8 PM would require a blood draw at 8 AM. Earlier times (10 PM, 12 AM, 4 AM) do not align with this timing.
A group of nursing students are reviewing the various drug classes used to treat psychiatric disorders. The students demonstrate understanding when they identify which of the following as examples of antianxiety medications? Select all that apply.
- A. Selegiline
- B. Lorazepam
- C. Buspirone
- D. Zolpidem
- E. Methylphenidate
Correct Answer: B,C
Rationale: Lorazepam (B), a benzodiazepine, and buspirone (C), a non-benzodiazepine, are antianxiety medications. Selegiline is an MAOI, zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic, and methylphenidate is a stimulant, not used for anxiety.
During the stabilization phase of drug therapy for a patient who is hospitalized with a psychiatric disorder, which action would be most appropriate?
- A. Discussing the timing of tapering the medication
- B. Instructing the patient about relapse prevention
- C. Determining if the medication is losing its effect
- D. Assessing the patient for target symptoms and side effects
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The stabilization phase focuses on optimizing medication to control symptoms while monitoring for side effects. Assessing target symptoms and side effects ensures efficacy and safety. Tapering, relapse prevention, and loss of effect are addressed in later phases, such as maintenance or discontinuation.
The nurse observes an older adult patient who has been taking antipsychotic medications for 8 months. The patient is smacking her lips and blinking her eyes rapidly. The nurse also observes a protruding tongue. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate?
- A. Ask if the patient has been experiencing side effects.
- B. Contact the patient?s physician for a different medication order.
- C. Document the patient?s symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.
- D. Instruct the patient to begin tapering off the medication.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lip smacking, rapid blinking, and tongue protrusion indicate tardive dyskinesia, a serious side effect of long-term antipsychotic use. Documenting these symptoms is the most appropriate initial action to ensure accurate reporting and prompt physician review. Asking about side effects is vague, contacting the physician follows documentation, and tapering is premature without medical orders.
A hospitalized patient who has been taking an antipsychotic medication for 2 weeks begins pacing and walking throughout the unit. He tells the nurse that he cannot sit still. The nurse documents this finding as which of the following?
- A. Akinesia
- B. Dystonia
- C. Pseudoparkinsonism
- D. Akathisia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Akathisia is characterized by restlessness and an inability to sit still, common with antipsychotics. Akinesia involves reduced movement, dystonia causes muscle spasms, and pseudoparkinsonism mimics Parkinson?s symptoms like tremor, not restlessness.
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