A nurse is collecting data from client who has just begun therapy with alprazolam to treat anxiety. The nurse should observe the client for which of the following adverse effects of this medication?
Hypertension
Hearing loss
Sedation
Bradycardia
The Correct Answer is C
A. Alprazolam, a benzodiazepine, typically doesn't cause hypertension. Its primary mechanism of action involves modulation of GABA receptors in the central nervous system, leading to anxiolytic effects rather than effects on blood pressure regulation.
B. There's no documented association between alprazolam use and hearing loss.
Benzodiazepines like alprazolam primarily affect the central nervous system and do not target auditory structures.
C. Sedation is a common side effect of alprazolam due to its CNS depressant properties.
Patients often experience drowsiness, fatigue, and impaired cognitive function, especially when initiating therapy or when doses are increased.
D. Alprazolam typically doesn't cause bradycardia. While it can have mild effects on heart rate, such as tachycardia, significant bradycardia is not a documented adverse effect.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Akathisia refers to a subjective feeling of restlessness and an objective inability to sit still.
It's characterized by a need to move constantly and is not typically associated with choreiform movements, lip smacking, or spastic facial distortions.
B. Dystonia involves sustained or intermittent muscle contractions leading to abnormal postures or twisting movements. It typically presents with muscle spasms, not choreiform movements or lip smacking.
C. Pseudoparkinsonism refers to a collection of symptoms that resemble Parkinson's disease, such as tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability. It does not typically involve choreiform movements or lip smacking.
D. Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of the face and body, including choreiform movements (rapid, jerky movements), lip smacking, and spastic facial distortions. It often develops after long-term use of antipsychotic medications like chlorpromazine and can persist even after discontinuation of the medication.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Clozapine is an antipsychotic medication commonly used to treat schizophrenia.
Reduction in auditory hallucinations is a positive therapeutic outcome indicating the medication's efficacy in managing psychotic symptoms.
B. While clozapine may have antiepileptic properties, it's primarily used for its antipsychotic effects rather than controlling seizures.
C. Weight gain is a common side effect of clozapine rather than an indicator of therapeutic effect.
D. Clozapine is associated with the potential for agranulocytosis, a severe adverse effect characterized by a decreased white blood cell count, but this is not a measure of therapeutic effect.
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