A nurse is caring for a client who has severe manifestations of schizophrenia and is
medicated PRN for agitation with haloperidol. the nurse should
... [Show More] assess the client for
which of the following adverse effects?
A. Dysrhythmias
B. Cataracts
C. Pancreatitis
D. Bleeding
A. Dysrhythmias
Rationale: Cardiac dysrhythmias are a risk for clients taking haloperidol and
other conventional antipsychotic medications. The client should be monitored for
changes in vital signs, tachycardia, and ECG changes, including prolonged QT
interval, while take haloperidol. There is a risk for cardiac arrest due to torsades
de pointes.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has bipolar disorder and
will be discharged with a prescription for lithium. The nurse should teach the client
that which of the following factors puts her at risk for lithium toxicity?
A. The client runs 4 miles outdoors every afternoon
B. The client drinks 2 liters of liquids daily
C. The client eats 2 to 3 gm of sodium-containing foods daily
D. The client eats foods high in tyramine.
A. The client runs 4 miles outdoors every afternoon
Rationale: Strenuous exercise in outdoor heat, which can lead to dehydration, puts
the client at risk for lithium toxicity, the patient should take care to replace any
water and sodium that have been lost through profuse sweating. This also applies
to other factors that can cause the client to become dehydrated, such as diarrhea
or taking diuretics. Mild to moderate exercise will not lead to lithium toxicity.
A nurse is caring for a client who has major depressive disorder and was prescribed
citalopram 2 weeks ago with a planned dosage increase 1 week ago. The clientreports having an improved appetite, but still feels very depressed and is still
having trouble sleeping. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Speak to the provider about adding an MAOI to the current medication regimen.
B. Explain that antidepressants often take several weeks to be fully effective.
C. Tell the client that the provider will need to change citalopram to a different
medication.
D. Recommend a sleep study be done on the client.
B. Explain that antidepressants often take several weeks to be fully effective.
Rationale: SSRIs are used along with certain anticonvulsant medications in the
treatment of bipolar disorder. It can take 4 to 6 weeks before therapeutic effects
occur after beginning an antidepressant medication.
A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted with acute psychosis and is being
treated with haloperidol. The nurse should suspect that the client may be
experiencing tardive dyskinesia when the client exhibits which of the following?
SATA.
A. Urinary retention and constipation
B. Tongue thrusting and lip smacking
C. Fine hand tremors and pill rolling
D. Facial grimacing and eye blinking
E. Involuntary pelvic rocking and hip thrusting movements
B. Tongue thrusting and lip smacking
D. Facial grimacing and eye blinking
E. Involuntary pelvic rocking and hip thrusting movements
Rationale: Individuals who have TD and the side effects of haloperidol may
include repetitive, irregular, and involuntary movements of the head, neck, trunk,
and extremities.
A nurse is caring for a client who has been hospitalized for treatment of bipolar
disorder and will be discharged with a prescription for lithium. The nurse's
discharge teaching should include information cautioning against which of the
following factors that may cause lithium toxicity?A. Experiencing diarrhea
B. Exercising moderately
C. Increasing sodium intake
D. Drinking green tea
A. Experiencing diarrhea
Rationale: Lithium is used to treat the manic stage of bipolar disorder. Toxicity
occurs when the level of lithium in the blood becomes too high. A low sodium level,
or factors that result in a low sodium level (such as dehydration, diarrhea,
sweating, excess exercise in hot weather, diuretic use, a low sodium diet) increases
the lithium level.
A nurse in an emergency department is assessing a client who has been taking
haloperidol for 3 months. The client has a temperature of 39.5 C (103.4 F), blood
pressure of 150/110 mm Hg, and muscle rigidity. Which of the following
complications should the nurse suspect?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Akathisia
D. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Rationale: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare and potentially fatal
adverse effect of antipsychotic medications that requires emergency medical
intervention. Manifestations of NMS are sudden and include changes in LOC,
seizures, and stupor. [Show Less]