A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for sertraline to treat depression.
For which of the following findings should the nurse instruct the client to monitor and report immediately as indicating serotonin syndrome?
Insomnia.
Constipation.
Dry mouth.
Excessive sweating.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale:
Insomnia is a common side effect of sertraline and many other antidepressant medications. It is not indicative of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by excessive serotonin levels in the brain.
Choice B rationale:
Constipation is a side effect of some antidepressant medications, including sertraline. It is not a symptom of serotonin syndrome, which presents with a combination of symptoms such as confusion, agitation, rapid heart rate, dilated pupils, muscle rigidity, and high body temperature.
Choice C rationale:
Dry mouth is another common side effect of sertraline and many other medications. While uncomfortable, it is not a sign of serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome are neurological and autonomic, involving changes in mental status, muscle activity, and vital signs.
Choice D rationale:
Excessive sweating, also known as diaphoresis, can be a symptom of serotonin syndrome. Other symptoms might include agitation, tremor, hyperreflexia, fever, dilated pupils, and diarrhea. If a patient experiences these symptoms while taking sertraline, it could indicate serotonin syndrome and should be reported immediately for medical evaluation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
- A. Diarrhea is not an adverse effect of amitriptyline, which is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). Diarrhea may be caused by other factors, such as infection, food intolerance, or stress. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
- B. Frequent urination is not an adverse effect of amitriptyline either. Frequent urination may be a sign of diabetes, urinary tract infection, or other conditions that affect the kidneys or bladder. Therefore, this choice is also incorrect.
- C. Excessive salivation is not an adverse effect of amitriptyline as well. Excessive salivation may be due to increased production of saliva, difficulty swallowing, or mouth irritation. Therefore, this choice is incorrect too.
- D. Blurred vision is an adverse effect of amitriptyline and other TCAs. Amitriptyline can cause anticholinergic effects, such as dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, and blurred vision. These effects are more pronounced in older adults and can impair their daily functioning and quality of life. Therefore, this choice is correct and the nurse should identify it as an adverse effect of the medication.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
- A. Hypotension is not an adverse effect of epinephrine, but rather a sign of anaphylaxis that epinephrine can help to reverse by causing vasoconstriction and increasing blood pressure.
- B. Report of tinnitus is not an adverse effect of epinephrine, but rather a symptom of aspirin toxicity, which can occur in some clients who take aspirin for allergic reactions.
- C. Report of chest pain is an adverse effect of epinephrine, as it can cause cardiac dysrhythmias, angina, and myocardial ischemia by increasing the heart rate and oxygen demand of the myocardium.
-D. Ecchymosis is not an adverse effect of epinephrine, but rather a sign of bleeding disorders or trauma that can cause bruising under the skin.
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