A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is receiving clozapine. For which of the following findings should the nurse monitor to determine if the medication is having a therapeutic effect?
Decreased auditory hallucinations
Control of seizure activity
Weight gain
Decreased WBC count
The Correct Answer is A
A. Clozapine is an antipsychotic medication commonly used to treat schizophrenia.
Reduction in auditory hallucinations is a positive therapeutic outcome indicating the medication's efficacy in managing psychotic symptoms.
B. While clozapine may have antiepileptic properties, it's primarily used for its antipsychotic effects rather than controlling seizures.
C. Weight gain is a common side effect of clozapine rather than an indicator of therapeutic effect.
D. Clozapine is associated with the potential for agranulocytosis, a severe adverse effect characterized by a decreased white blood cell count, but this is not a measure of therapeutic effect.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Methadone is an opioid agonist primarily used for the management of opioid dependence and chronic pain. It is not indicated for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal or delirium.
B. Acamprosate is a medication used to support abstinence in individuals who have recently stopped drinking alcohol. It is not typically used to manage acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as delirium tremens.
C. Disulfiram is a medication used as an aversive therapy to deter alcohol consumption by causing unpleasant reactions (e.g., flushing, nausea, vomiting) when alcohol is ingested. It is not indicated for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal or delirium.
D. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine commonly used to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including delirium tremens. It acts by enhancing the inhibitory effects of gamma- aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the central nervous system, thereby reducing the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal such as seizures.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Clozapine is an antipsychotic medication commonly used to treat schizophrenia.
Reduction in auditory hallucinations is a positive therapeutic outcome indicating the medication's efficacy in managing psychotic symptoms.
B. While clozapine may have antiepileptic properties, it's primarily used for its antipsychotic effects rather than controlling seizures.
C. Weight gain is a common side effect of clozapine rather than an indicator of therapeutic effect.
D. Clozapine is associated with the potential for agranulocytosis, a severe adverse effect characterized by a decreased white blood cell count, but this is not a measure of therapeutic effect.
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