Introduction
Introduction ( 9 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and takes clozapine, a Schedule V medication. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following serious adverse effects of clozapine?
Rationale: Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic that acts on the central nervous system to reduce psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. It also has a low potential for abuse and dependence, which is why it is classified as a Schedule V medication. However, it can cause agranulocytosis, a life-threatening condition characterized by a severe decrease in white blood cells that increases the risk of infection. The nurse should monitor the client's complete blood count (CBC) regularly and report any signs of infection such as fever, sore throat, or mouth ulcers.
This is a rare but serious skin reaction that can be caused by some medications such as sulfonamides, anticonvulsants, and allopurinol, not clozapine.
This is a rare but serious cardiac arrhythmia that can be caused by some medications such as antiarrhythmics, antibiotics, and antidepressants that prolong the QT interval, not clozapine.
This is a rare but serious condition characterized by muscle breakdown and renal failure that can be caused by some medications such as statins, antipsychotics, and corticosteroids, not clozapine.
Correct answer: a) Agranulocytosis
Rationale: Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic that acts on the central nervous system to reduce psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. It also has a low potential for abuse and dependence, which is why it is classified as a Schedule V medication. However, it can cause agranulocytosis, a life-threatening condition characterized by a severe decrease in white blood cells that increases the risk of infection. The nurse should monitor the client's complete blood count (CBC) regularly and report any signs of infection such as fever, sore throat, or mouth ulcers.
Incorrect choices:
b) Stevens-Johnson syndrome: This is a rare but serious skin reaction that can be caused by some medications such as sulfonamides, anticonvulsants, and allopurinol, not clozapine.
c) Torsades de pointes: This is a rare but serious cardiac arrhythmia that can be caused by some medications such as antiarrhythmics, antibiotics, and antidepressants that prolong the QT interval, not clozapine.
d) Rhabdomyolysis: This is a rare but serious condition characterized by muscle breakdown and renal failure that can be caused by some medications such as statins, antipsychotics, and corticosteroids, not clozapine.