A client is prescribed olanzapine for schizophrenia.
How will the nurse monitor the client for adverse side effects? (Select all that apply).

Determining whether chest pain has been relieved. This is because nitroglycerin is a medication that is used to treat chest pain caused by cardiac origin or acute pulmonary edema. The main action of nitroglycerin is to relax and dilate the blood vessels, which reduces the workload of the heart and improves blood flow to the heart muscle.

Therefore, the most important nursing action after administering nitroglycerin sublingually is to assess if the chest pain has subsided or not.

Choice A is wrong because monitoring the client’s respiratory rate and effort is not the most important action after giving nitroglycerin. Although nitroglycerin can cause hypotension and bradycardia, which may affect the respiratory status, these are side effects that can be managed and are not life-threatening as chest pain.

Choice B is wrong because warning the client to lie still to prevent a headache is not a priority after giving nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin can cause headache as a side effect, but this can be treated with analgesics and does not require the client to lie still. Moreover, lying still may increase the risk of venous thromboembolism in a client with peripheral vascular disease.

Choice D is wrong because verifying that the sublingual tablet produced a tingling sensation is not essential after giving nitroglycerin.

Although some sublingual tablets may produce a tingling sensation, this is not a reliable indicator of the drug’s effectiveness

The client with a labored respiratory rate of 28 should be seen first because this indicates respiratory distress, which is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention. Respiratory rate is one of the vital signs that are used to assess the severity of a patient’s condition and to triage them accordingly. A normal respiratory rate for an adult is 12 to 20 breaths per minute.

Choice A is wrong because a large laceration on the left scapula is not as urgent as respiratory distress.

A laceration is a wound that involves a cut or tear in the skin, which may cause bleeding, pain, and infection. However, it can be managed with wound care and suturing in the urgent care center.

Choice B is wrong because a compound fracture of the right tibia is not as urgent as respiratory distress.

A compound fracture is a fracture that breaks through the skin, which may cause bleeding, pain, infection, and nerve or blood vessel damage. However, it can be stabilized with splinting and dressing in the urgent care center before transferring to a hospital for further treatment.

Choice C is wrong because being unable to breastfeed a 4 week old is not as urgent as respiratory distress.

Breastfeeding difficulties may be caused by various factors, such as poor latch, low milk supply, sore nipples, or mastitis. However, they can be managed with education, support, and medication in the urgent care center.