A nurse is caring for a client who has just begun therapy with alprazolam to treat anxiety. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects of this medication?
Hearing loss
Insomnia
Bradycardia
Hypertension
The Correct Answer is B
A. Hearing loss: Alprazolam, a benzodiazepine medication, is not typically associated with hearing loss. Adverse effects related to hearing are not commonly reported with the use of alprazolam.
B. Insomnia: Insomnia, or difficulty falling or staying asleep, is a potential adverse effect of alprazolam. While benzodiazepines like alprazolam are central nervous system depressants and can cause drowsiness, paradoxical reactions such as insomnia may occur in some individuals.
C. Bradycardia: Alprazolam is not known to cause bradycardia. Instead, it may cause mild tachycardia or irregular heart rhythms as potential cardiovascular side effects.
D. Hypertension: Alprazolam is more likely to cause hypotension (low blood pressure) rather than hypertension. Hypotension is a potential adverse effect due to its central nervous system depressant effects, which can lead to relaxation of blood vessels and decreased blood pressure.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Give the medication: Administering expired medication poses potential risks to the client's safety and efficacy of treatment. Therefore, giving the medication is not appropriate.
B. Discard the medication: Expired medications may have decreased potency or even become harmful due to chemical changes over time. It is essential to discard expired medications to ensure client safety and maintain the effectiveness of treatment.
C. Notify the provider: While it's important to communicate issues related to medication administration to the healthcare provider, in this case, the expired medication should not be used regardless of provider notification.
D. Return the medication to the pharmacy: Returning expired medication to the pharmacy might be appropriate in some settings, but it is not the primary action to take in this situation. The priority is to ensure the client does not receive expired medication.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Grapefruit juice inactivates this medication - Grapefruit juice is known to interact with certain medications, but it does not affect the metabolism of diazepam. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
B. It is important to avoid foods that contain tyramine - Tyramine is typically associated with interactions with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), not benzodiazepines like diazepam. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
C. This medication must be swallowed whole - While it is generally recommended to swallow diazepam tablets whole with a full glass of water, this instruction does not encompass the full range of information necessary for safe medication use.
D. Diazepam can cause drowsiness - This statement is correct. Diazepam, like other benzodiazepines, has sedative effects and can cause drowsiness. Patients should be advised to avoid activities that require mental alertness, such as driving, until they know how the medication affects them. This is an essential aspect of patient education regarding diazepam.
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