A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking Xanax (alprazolam) for anxiety. The nurse anticipates which of the following?
The client's at-home dose should be decreased.
The client may need an increased dose to control symptoms.
Xanax (alprazolam) does not cause dependency.
Ativan (Lorazepam) can be added to the client's medications.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason:
Decreasing the dose of Xanax (alprazolam) is often necessary when a client shows signs of dependency or when there are concerns about potential side effects, such as uncontrolled hypertension. Xanax is a fast-acting benzodiazepine, which can be highly addictive, especially when taken in doses of 4 mg/day for longer than 12 weeks. It is essential to monitor the client's blood pressure and adjust the medication accordingly to avoid exacerbating hypertension.
Choice B reason:
Increasing the dose may temporarily control symptoms of anxiety, but it also increases the risk of dependency and other side effects. Given the client's uncontrolled hypertension, increasing the dose could lead to further complications.
Choice C reason:
This statement is incorrect. Xanax does cause dependency, and it is one of the most addictive benzodiazepine medications on the market today. Dependency can develop quickly, even in users who follow a prescribed dosing schedule.
Choice D reason:
While Ativan (Lorazepam) is also used to treat anxiety, adding it to the client's medication regimen without careful consideration could increase the risk of dependency and adverse effects. Both Xanax and Ativan are benzodiazepines, and their combined use should be monitored closely by a healthcare professional.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason:
A necklace can pose a risk for clients with suicidal tendencies as it can be used to inflict self-harm. In an acute mental health unit, it is crucial to remove any items that could potentially be used in another suicide attempt. The nurse should ensure that the environment is safe and free from objects that could be used for hanging or strangulation.
Choice B reason:
Lace-up tennis shoes have laces that can be removed and used by the client to harm themselves. It is a standard safety precaution in mental health units to remove any items with strings or laces, such as belts, drawstrings, or shoe laces, to prevent their use in self-harm or suicide attempts.
Choice C reason:
Nylon ankle socks are generally considered safe and do not typically need to be removed. They do not pose a significant risk for self-harm. Therefore, the client can keep these for personal comfort and hygiene.
Choice D reason:
Cotton underwear is a basic necessity and does not present a risk for self-harm. It is important for the client's dignity and hygiene to have access to personal undergarments while in the mental health unit.
Choice E reason:
A glass-framed picture, while sentimental, poses a risk due to the glass, which can be broken and used to inflict self-harm. For safety reasons, any items made of glass or other breakable materials should be removed from the client's access in a mental health unit.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
The statement "Alcohol tolerance causes me to have an increased effect when taking opiates" is incorrect. Alcohol tolerance refers to the body's diminished response to the effects of alcohol due to prolonged exposure. It does not directly affect the body's response to other substances like opiates. However, it's important to note that mixing alcohol with opiates can be dangerous and is generally advised against due to the risk of respiratory depression and other adverse effects.
Choice B reason:
The statement "I will develop a decreased physical response to alcohol" is correct and indicates effective teaching. As a person develops alcohol tolerance, their body requires more alcohol to achieve the same effects that were previously attained with less alcohol. This is due to physiological adaptations within the body, particularly in the liver and central nervous system, which become more efficient at metabolizing alcohol and less responsive to its effects.
Choice C reason:
The statement "Alcohol tolerance is a medical emergency and can develop as a result of withdrawal" is incorrect. Alcohol tolerance itself is not a medical emergency; rather, it is a physiological adaptation to regular alcohol consumption. Withdrawal, on the other hand, can be a medical emergency if severe symptoms such as seizures or delirium tremens occur. Tolerance and withdrawal are related but distinct phenomena; tolerance can lead to dependence, which, when alcohol use is stopped, can result in withdrawal symptoms.
Choice D reason:
The statement "Alcohol tolerance produces physical changes when I haven't recently ingested alcohol" is misleading. Alcohol tolerance does not produce physical changes in the absence of alcohol. Instead, tolerance is characterized by a reduced response to alcohol when it is consumed. Physical changes, such as withdrawal symptoms, may occur when a person who has developed tolerance stops consuming alcohol, but these are not due to tolerance itself.
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