A client is prescribed an atypical antipsychotic medication. What should the nurse monitor for in this client?
Weight loss and hypotension.
Hyperactivity and insomnia.
Blurred vision and urinary retention.
Sedation and weight gain.
The Correct Answer is D
Sedation and weight gain are common side effects of atypical antipsychotic medications. These medications act on both dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain and may also have some antidepressant effects.
Choice A is wrong because weight loss and hypotension are not typical side effects of atypical antipsychotics. In fact, weight gain is more likely to occur.
Choice B is wrong because hyperactivity and insomnia are not typical side effects of atypical antipsychotics. These medications may cause difficulty sleeping and extreme tiredness.
Choice C is wrong because blurred vision and urinary retention are not typical side effects of atypical antipsychotics. These medications may cause dry mouth and constipation.
Other possible side effects of atypical antipsychotics include dizziness, seizures, allergic reactions, heart problems, and high prolactin levels. Some atypical antipsychotics may also cause extrapyramidal symptoms, such as muscle spasms, restlessness, tremors, or abnormal movements.
These are more common with typical antipsychotics.
Atypical antipsychotics are used to treat various mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD, and treatment-resistant mania. They may also be prescribed off-label for other conditions, such as Tourette’s syndrome.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Antipsychotic medications can also be used to treat other mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder.This is because some antipsychotics, such as aripiprazole (Abilify), act on both serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain, which are involved in mood regulation.
Choice A is wrong because antipsychotic medications are not only used to treat psychotic symptoms, but also negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as social withdrawal, flattened affect, and anhedonia.
Choice C is wrong because antipsychotic medications are not only used to treat schizophrenia, but also other psychotic disorders, such as schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, and brief psychotic disorder.
Choice D is wrong because antipsychotic medications are effective in treating other mental health disorders, such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.Some antipsychotics also have antiemetic effects, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and prochlorperazine (Compazine).
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Antipsychotic medications are used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and delusional disorder. They work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, which reduces the positive symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations, delusions, and agitation. However, antipsychotic medications also have many adverse effects, some of which are related to their dopamine-blocking action and some of which are related to their effects on other neurotransmitters such as serotonin, acetylcholine, histamine, and norepinephrine.
Some of the common adverse effects of antipsychotic medications are:
• Sedation: This is caused by the blockade of histamine receptors in the brain and can affect alertness, concentration, and coordination.
Sedation is more common with older antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine and haloperidol than with newer ones such as risperidone and quetiapine.
• Dry mouth: This is caused by the blockade of acetylcholine receptors in the salivary glands and can lead to dental problems, difficulty swallowing, and increased thirst.
Dry mouth is more common with older antipsychotics than with newer ones.
• Blurred vision: This is also caused by the blockade of acetylcholine receptors in the eye muscles and can affect visual acuity and accommodation.
Blurred vision is more common with older antipsychotics than with newer ones.
• Weight gain: This is caused by the blockade of serotonin receptors in the hypothalamus and can lead to increased appetite, metabolic changes, and obesity.
Weight gain is more common with newer antipsychotics such as olanzapine and clozapine than with older ones.
Therefore, weight loss is not a common adverse effect of antipsychotic medications and is the correct answer.
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