Name that adverse reaction
A client taking an SSRI develops diaphoresis, hyperreflexia, agitation, fever, and tachycardia after starting St. John’s Wort.
What is serotonin syndrome?
A client prescribed benzodiazepines asks why they cannot suddenly stop the medication after several months.
What is risk for fatal withdrawal, seizures, coma, or death?
This lab must routinely be monitored in clients taking lithium to evaluate for toxicity.
What is a serum lithium level?
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of this inhibitory neurotransmitter.
What is GABA?
A client taking an MAOI reports severe headache and blood pressure of 210/110 after eating salami.
What is hold the medication and seek emergency care immediately?
A client taking haloperidol suddenly develops severe muscle rigidity, confusion, diaphoresis, fever, and unstable blood pressure.
What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
A client prescribed buspirone states, “This medicine isn’t working because I don’t feel calm yet,” after taking it for two days.
What is buspirone requires routine dosing for about 2 weeks before effectiveness occurs?
A nurse monitoring a client on antipsychotics notes a WBC count of 2,900. The nurse suspects this dangerous condition.
What is agranulocytosis?
SSRIs improve depression primarily by inhibiting the reuptake of this neurotransmitter.
What is serotonin?
A client prescribed antipsychotics develops sudden uncontrollable tongue thrusting and lip smacking.
What is notify the provider immediately because tardive dyskinesia may become permanent?
This irreversible adverse effect of antipsychotics causes lip smacking, tongue thrusting, chewing motions, and neck twisting.
What is tardive dyskinesia?
The nurse teaches a client taking lithium to maintain consistent sodium and fluid intake because changing them could do this.
What is alter lithium serum concentration and increase toxicity risk?
These diagnostic tests are monitored in clients taking TCAs because of the risk for dysrhythmias.
What are baseline and periodic EKGs?
TCAs improve depression by blocking the reuptake of these two neurotransmitters.
What are norepinephrine and serotonin?
A client taking lithium reports severe diarrhea and vomiting after exercising outside all day in the heat.
What is assess for lithium toxicity immediately?
A client taking lithium reports vomiting, slurred speech, muscle weakness, and drowsiness after starting a low-sodium diet.
What is lithium toxicity?
A client prescribed TCAs reports stopping the medication abruptly because of weight gain and dry mouth.
What is the client is at risk for discontinuation syndrome and should taper with provider supervision?
A client taking valproic acid requires periodic monitoring of this organ system because hepatotoxicity may occur.
What is liver function/hepatic monitoring?
Antipsychotics primarily improve schizophrenia symptoms through this action.
What is dopamine antagonism/blockade?
A client taking benzodiazepines reports drinking wine nightly “to help the medication work better.”
What is educate that combining alcohol and benzodiazepines can cause fatal respiratory depression?
A client taking an MAOI eats aged cheese and develops severe hypertension and headache requiring emergency treatment.
What is hypertensive crisis caused by tyramine buildup?
A client taking antipsychotics asks why the nurse keeps monitoring cholesterol, blood sugar, waist circumference, and BMI every 3 months.
What is monitoring for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease?
The nurse instructs a client on MAOIs that a 5-week washout period is needed to prevent this life-threatening complication.
What is serotonin syndrome?
Lithium stabilizes neurotransmission by acting on these structures throughout the body.
What are cellular transport channels?
A client taking anticonvulsant mood stabilizers develops a rash with blistering lesions.
What is hold the medication and evaluate for Stevens-Johnson syndrome immediately?