A client with schizophrenia is prescribed clozapine because other prescribed medications have been ineffective.
After teaching the client and family about the drug, the nurse determines that the teaching was successful when they state which of the following?
A) He needs to have an electrocardiogram periodically when taking this drug.
B) We'll need to make sure that he has his blood count checked at least weekly.
C) He might develop toxic levels of the drug if he smokes cigarettes.
D) We need to watch to make sure that he doesn't lose too much weight.
Question 2
A nurse has been asked by the parents of Jim, a schizophrenic who is also an alcoholic, what they can do to help their son prevent relapsing once he is discharged from the hospital.
Which of the following would be the best answer the nurse can give at this point?
A) There's really not much you can do; Jim is responsible for maintaining his own sobriety.
B) Avoid letting him take any mood-altering chemicals, as they may trigger his delusional thinking.
C) Make sure he goes to at least two Alcoholics Anonymous meetings a week, gets a sponsor, and calls his sponsor on a daily basis.
D) Report any side effects he develops so they can be treated and therefore won't tempt him to stop taking his antipsychotic medications.
A nurse adjusts the rate of a client’s IV.
Schizophrenia
Basal ganglia: overstimulation of dopamine receptors may be responsible for schizophrenia
Drugs Commonly Prescribed According to Classification
Use face cradle covers to prevent the client’s skin from touching the face cradle upholstery.