The nurse is reviewing the client's prescriptions.

Exhibits

For each body system below, click to highlight the findings that indicate a serious adverse reaction. To deselect a finding, click on the finding again. Each body system may support more than 1 potential assessment finding.

Body Systems	Findings
Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat (HEENT)	Yellowing of the eyes Blurred vision Dry eyes
Gastrointestinal	Abdominal pain Hard stool
Hematologic	Increased bruising Increased bleeding tendency Insomnia
Genitourinary	Red/orange tint to urine Darkening of the urine

A. Excessive sweating is a common adverse effect of sertraline, and it is essential for the nurse to educate the client about this potential side effect to enhance medication adherence and manage expectations.
B. Dry cough is not typically associated with sertraline, and its inclusion in the education may confuse the client and undermine the credibility of the nurse's teaching.
C. Increased urinary frequency is not commonly reported with sertraline use; therefore, including it in the client education may lead to misinformation.
D. A metallic taste in the mouth is not a commonly reported adverse effect of sertraline and should not be included in the client education as it may cause unnecessary concern or confusion.

Rationale:

Serotonin syndrome is a serious drug reaction that results from having too much serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a chemical that plays a role in mood, sleep, appetite and other functions. Some medications, especially antidepressants, can increase serotonin levels and cause serotonin syndrome. The client is taking paroxetine, which is a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs work by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain, making more serotonin available.

Paroxetine can cause serotonin syndrome if taken at high doses, in combination with other serotonergic drugs, or if abruptly stopped. The client’s symptoms of restlessness, abdominal pain, disorientation and fever are consistent with serotonin syndrome. Other possible symptoms include agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, dilated pupils, muscle twitching, rigidity, sweating and shivering. Severe serotonin syndrome can lead to seizures, coma and death. The client should stop taking paroxetine and seek immediate medical attention. Serotonin syndrome can be treated with supportive care and medications that reduce serotonin levels or block its effects. The client may need to switch to a different antidepressant or adjust the dosage under the guidance of their provider.