A client diagnosed with Illness Anxiety Disorder is prescribed clonazepam for underlying anxiety. Of the following, which is of utmost importance when caring for this client?
Administer the medication with food.
Administer the medication to the client at night to avoid daytime sedation.
Encourage the client to avoid drinking alcohol when taking this medication.
Assess for history of smoking.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
Administer the medication with food.
Administering clonazepam with food can help reduce gastrointestinal discomfort, but it is not the most critical consideration. While it is beneficial to minimize potential side effects like nausea, it does not address the primary safety concerns associated with clonazepam use.
Choice B Reason:
Administer the medication to the client at night to avoid daytime sedation.
Administering clonazepam at night can help avoid daytime sedation, which is a common side effect of benzodiazepines. However, this is not the most critical safety concern. While managing sedation is important, it does not address the potential for more serious interactions and risks.
Choice C Reason:
Encourage the client to avoid drinking alcohol when taking this medication.
This is the correct response. Alcohol can significantly increase the sedative effects of clonazepam, leading to dangerous levels of sedation, respiratory depression, and even death. It is crucial to educate clients about the risks of combining alcohol with benzodiazepines to prevent potentially life-threatening interactions.
Choice D Reason:
Assess for history of smoking.
While assessing for a history of smoking is part of a comprehensive health assessment, it is not the most critical consideration when administering clonazepam. Smoking does not have the same immediate and severe interaction risks with clonazepam as alcohol does.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Aggressive and angry.
Aggressive and angry behavior is not indicative of apathy. Apathy is characterized by a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern. Aggression and anger are more likely to be associated with other symptoms of schizophrenia, such as paranoia or frustration, rather than apathy.
Choice B Reason:
Concerned over recent events.
Being concerned over recent events shows an active engagement with one’s environment and emotions. This is the opposite of apathy, which involves a lack of interest or concern. Therefore, this behavior does not align with the definition of apathy.
Choice C Reason:
Indifferent to their surroundings.
This is the correct response. Indifference to one’s surroundings is a clear sign of apathy. In schizophrenia, apathy is a common negative symptom and involves a diminished ability to initiate and sustain activities, including social interactions. This lack of interest or motivation is a key feature of apathy.
Choice D Reason:
Supportive in group.
Being supportive in a group setting indicates active participation and concern for others, which is not consistent with apathy. Apathy would manifest as a lack of engagement or interest in group activities and interactions.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Draws attention and approval from significant others.
This statement is incorrect. Compulsive washing rituals in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are not typically performed to draw attention or gain approval from others. Instead, these rituals are driven by an internal need to reduce anxiety and distress associated with obsessive thoughts. The primary function of these behaviors is to manage the individual’s own anxiety rather than to seek external validation.
Choice B Reason:
Provides temporary and partial relief from anxiety.
This is the correct response. Compulsive washing rituals in OCD are performed to alleviate the intense anxiety and distress caused by obsessive thoughts. Although the relief is temporary and partial, it reinforces the behavior, creating a cycle where the individual feels compelled to repeat the ritual to manage their anxiety. This temporary relief is a key characteristic of compulsive behaviors in OCD.
Choice C Reason:
Increases the inhibitory powers of their superego.
This statement is incorrect. The concept of the superego is related to Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, where it represents the internalized moral standards and ideals. Compulsive washing rituals in OCD are not performed to increase the inhibitory powers of the superego but rather to reduce anxiety and distress. The rituals are a response to obsessive thoughts rather than a means of enhancing moral inhibition.
Choice D Reason:
Blocks delusions and hallucinations from awareness.
This statement is incorrect. Delusions and hallucinations are more commonly associated with psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, rather than OCD. Compulsive washing rituals in OCD are not intended to block delusions or hallucinations but to manage anxiety related to obsessive thoughts. The focus of these rituals is on reducing distress rather than addressing psychotic symptoms.
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