A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed alprazolam to manage severe manifestations of anxiety. Which of the following should the nurse prepare to discuss with the client?
Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how alprazolam affects you.
Relief of manifestations should be expected after a few weeks of therapy.
Foods that are known to be high in dietary tyramine should be avoided.
Increase the dose of medication as needed if relief of manifestations is not experienced.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine that can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and impair motor coordination. Therefore, the nurse should advise the client to avoid activities that require alertness until they understand how the medication affects them.
B. Alprazolam provides relatively quick relief of anxiety symptoms, often within hours, rather than requiring weeks of therapy like some other medications.
C. Foods high in tyramine are a concern for clients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), not alprazolam.
D. Increasing the dose without guidance from a healthcare provider is unsafe. The client should not adjust their medication dosage without consulting the provider.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, which is triggered during times of anxiety, stress, or fear. It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and prepares the body to respond to perceived threats, which aligns with the client's severe anxiety going to work.
B. The limbic system plays a role in emotion and memory but is not directly responsible for the physiological changes associated with anxiety.
C. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for "rest and digest" functions, counteracting the sympathetic nervous system’s responses during relaxation, not during anxiety.
D. The vagus nerve is part of the parasympathetic system and is not primarily responsible for the acute anxiety response.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. While support groups may be helpful, the immediate intervention for a client experiencing heightened anxiety and hypervigilance is to provide structure and safety.
B. Mindfulness meditation may be beneficial in the long term, but it is not the first intervention in an acute phase where anxiety and hypervigilance are prominent.
C. A structured environment with predictable routines and consistent staff can help clients with PTSD feel more secure and reduce feelings of anxiety, hypervigilance, and paranoia. Predictability and structure are key interventions for clients with PTSD.
D. Administering a PRN sedative medication should be a secondary intervention after providing a supportive and safe environment. Medications may be used as part of treatment, but they do not address the underlying anxiety and hypervigilance as effectively as a structured environment.
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