The nurse is assessing a female patient who has been taking ...

[dakota nelson]

The nurse is assessing a female patient who has been taking chlorpromazine for schizophrenia. What should the nurse include in this assessment?
 
  1. Perform an eye exam and ask if there have been changes in vision.
  2. Draw blood to check a lipid profile.
  3. Ask the patient questions regarding amount of alcohol intake.
  4. Determine the date of her last menstrual period.
  5. Draw blood to check thyroid function.

Question 2

A patient with a history of suicidal behavior with schizophrenia stopped taking clozapine (Clozaril) after 4 weeks of therapy. The patient is currently experiencing a return of hallucinations.
 
  What might the nurse assess when determining the reason the patient stopped taking the medication?
  1. Feeling sedated all the time
  2. Significant weight gain
  3. Agitation
  4. Fatigue and headache
  5. Lack of desire to consume alcohol

[bigsis44]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1,3,4
Rationale 1: Chlorpromazine accumulates in the eye, and there is a risk of phototoxicity, blurred vision, dry eyes, and glaucoma.
Rationale 2: Treatment with chlorpromazine would not be a reason to check the patient's lipid levels, and there is no information given to indicate the need to check a lipid profile.
Rationale 3: It is important to assess for alcohol use, as this could cause excessive drowsiness.
Rationale 4: It is important to assess for pregnancy as this drug is Pregnancy Category C.
Rationale 5: There is no indication that antipsychotics affect thyroid function, and nothing in the scenario indicates the need to check thyroid function.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1,2,3,4
Rationale 1: Patients do not like the side effect of being sedated all the time.
Rationale 2: Substantial weight gain has been reported in some patients taking this medication. This is a reason some stop taking the medication.
Rationale 3: Agitation may be an extrapyramidal symptom of treatment with this medication and is an unwanted adverse effect.
Rationale 4: Fatigue and headache are possible side effects of this medication.
Rationale 5: The desire to drink alcohol would be a reason for the patient to stop taking this medication.

[dakota nelson]

Thank you!

[bigsis44]

Always glad to help...