A patient with schizophrenia receives a dose of risperidone ...

[karen]

A patient with schizophrenia receives a dose of risperidone (Risperdal Consta) IM. The nurse teaching this patient about this medication will make which statement?
 
  a. You will experience therapeutic levels of this drug in 1 to 2 weeks.
  b. You will need injections of this drug every 6 weeks.
  c. You will need to take an oral antipsychotic drug for 3 weeks.
  d. You probably will not have extrapyramidal symptoms with this drug.

Question 2

A patient with schizophrenia shows suicidal behaviors, and the provider orders clozapine (Clozaril). The nurse teaches the family about the medication and its side effects.
 
  Which statement by a family member indicates a need for further teaching about this drug?
  a. Blood counts are necessary for several weeks after discontinuation of the drug.
  b. Fever, sore throat, and sores in the mouth should be reported immediately.
  c. If the ANC is less than 3000, the drug will be discontinued permanently.
  d. Use of this drug requires weekly evaluation of blood work.

[Andromeda18]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Risperidone given intramuscularly is a depot preparation used for long-term therapy. Significant release of the drug does not occur until 2 to 3 weeks after injection; therefore, patients must take an oral antipsychotic medication until drug levels are raised. Therapeutic levels are reached 4 to 6 weeks after injection. Patients need injections every 2 weeks. With IM dosing, the incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms is substantial.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis. If the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) drops below 1000/mcL, the drug must be discontinued permanently. Blood counts must be evaluated weekly, and this evaluation should be continued for several weeks after withdrawal of the drug. Fever, sore throat, and mouth ulcers are symptoms of agranulocytosis and should be reported immediately.

[karen]

Both answers were spot on, thank you once again

[Andromeda18]

Great! Please up vote