A nurse is providing nursing education about the use of atypical ...

[EY67]

A nurse is providing nursing education about the use of atypical antipsychotic agents and their effects on the body. Which statement made by a nurse best demonstrates an accurate understanding of the effects of atypical antipsychotic agents?
 
  a. They cause a higher rate of relapse.
  b. They affect only the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
  c. They cause more extrapyramidal symptoms.
  d. They pose a risk of weight gain and diabetes mellitus.

Question 2

Since the initiation of an antipsychotic drug, a patient complains of light-headedness and dizziness upon standing. Select the most appropriate comment the nurse can offer the patient.
 
  a. This is an unfortunate and permanent effect of this class of drugs.
  b. Get up slowly. Tolerance to this effect should develop in 2 to 3 months.
  c. The drug must be discontinued immediately to avoid injury.
  d. We need to increase your fluid intake, which should fix the problem.

[pikon]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Atypical antipsychotics pose a risk of weight gain and the development of diabetes mellitus.
Atypical antipsychotics result in a lower rate of relapse.
Atypical antipsychotic agents have the same effect as conventional antipsychotic agents on positive symptoms of schizophrenia, and they have a greater effect on negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction.
Atypical antipsychotics cause fewer extrapyramidal symptoms.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Antipsychotic drugs promote orthostatic hypotension, which causes blood pressure to fall when the patient stands because of vasodilation; this results in light-headedness and dizziness. The effect is not permanent and subsides within 2 to 3 months as the patient develops tolerance.
The effects described by the patient are not permanent, and the use of the words this is an unfortunate is nontherapeutic.
The drug does not need to be discontinued. Tolerance to the orthostatic hypotension should develop in 2 to 3 months.
Increasing fluid intake may help, but the most appropriate response from the nurse provides the patient with better information on what to anticipate.

[EY67]

Both answers were spot on, thank you once again

[pikon]

Great! Please up vote