Mood Stabilizers
Mood Stabilizers ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and is prescribed carbamazepine (Tegretol). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
Grapefruit juice can interact with carbamazepine and increase its blood levels, which can lead to toxicity and adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Therefore, the client should avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
Choice B is wrong because taking carbamazepine with food does not affect its absorption or metabolism.
Choice C is wrong because jaundice is not a common side effect of carbamazepine. However, carbamazepine can cause liver toxicity, so the client should report any signs of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or dark urine.
Choice D is wrong because carbamazepine may take several weeks to reach its full therapeutic effect for bipolar disorder. The client should not expect to see immediate improvement in mood symptoms.
Choice E is wrong because carbamazepine does not affect the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives. However, some other anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin and phenobarbital, can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills and increase the risk of pregnancy.
Grapefruit juice can interact with carbamazepine and increase its blood levels, which can lead to toxicity and adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Therefore, the client should avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
Choice B is wrong because taking carbamazepine with food does not affect its absorption or metabolism.
Choice C is wrong because jaundice is not a common side effect of carbamazepine. However, carbamazepine can cause liver toxicity, so the client should report any signs of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or dark urine.
Choice D is wrong because carbamazepine may take several weeks to reach its full therapeutic effect for bipolar disorder. The client should not expect to see immediate improvement in mood symptoms.
Choice E is wrong because carbamazepine does not affect the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives. However, some other anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin and phenobarbital, can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills and increase the risk of pregnancy.