A nurse is discussing the adverse effects of antipsychotic medications with a client. Which of the following statements by the client indicates understanding?
“Antipsychotic medications do not have any adverse effects.”
“Antipsychotic medications only have mild adverse effects such as drowsiness.”
“Antipsychotic medications can cause various adverse effects depending on the type and dose of the medication.”
“Antipsychotic medications only cause serious adverse effects.”
The Correct Answer is C
Antipsychotic medications can cause various adverse effects depending on the type and dose of the medication. This statement indicates that the client understands that antipsychotic drugs are not free of side effects and that they may vary in severity and type.
Choice A is wrong because antipsychotic medications do have adverse effects, such as extrapyramidal effects, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, and agranulocytosis.
Choice B is wrong because antipsychotic medications can have more than mild adverse effects, such as drowsiness. Some of the adverse effects can be serious and life-threatening, such as neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Choice D is wrong because antipsychotic medications do not only cause serious adverse effects. Some of the adverse effects can be mild and manageable, such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation.
Normal ranges for blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and white blood cell count are:
• Blood pressure: 120/80 mmHg
• Pulse: 60-100 beats per minute
• Temperature: 36.5-37.5°C (97.7-99.5°F)
• White blood cell count: 4.5-11 x 10^9/L
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Antipsychotic medications can also be used to treat other mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder.This is because some antipsychotics, such as aripiprazole (Abilify), act on both serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain, which are involved in mood regulation.
Choice A is wrong because antipsychotic medications are not only used to treat psychotic symptoms, but also negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as social withdrawal, flattened affect, and anhedonia.
Choice C is wrong because antipsychotic medications are not only used to treat schizophrenia, but also other psychotic disorders, such as schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, and brief psychotic disorder.
Choice D is wrong because antipsychotic medications are effective in treating other mental health disorders, such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.Some antipsychotics also have antiemetic effects, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and prochlorperazine (Compazine).
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Antipsychotic medications are used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and delusional disorder. They work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, which reduces the positive symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations, delusions, and agitation. However, antipsychotic medications also have many adverse effects, some of which are related to their dopamine-blocking action and some of which are related to their effects on other neurotransmitters such as serotonin, acetylcholine, histamine, and norepinephrine.
Some of the common adverse effects of antipsychotic medications are:
• Sedation: This is caused by the blockade of histamine receptors in the brain and can affect alertness, concentration, and coordination.
Sedation is more common with older antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine and haloperidol than with newer ones such as risperidone and quetiapine.
• Dry mouth: This is caused by the blockade of acetylcholine receptors in the salivary glands and can lead to dental problems, difficulty swallowing, and increased thirst.
Dry mouth is more common with older antipsychotics than with newer ones.
• Blurred vision: This is also caused by the blockade of acetylcholine receptors in the eye muscles and can affect visual acuity and accommodation.
Blurred vision is more common with older antipsychotics than with newer ones.
• Weight gain: This is caused by the blockade of serotonin receptors in the hypothalamus and can lead to increased appetite, metabolic changes, and obesity.
Weight gain is more common with newer antipsychotics such as olanzapine and clozapine than with older ones.
Therefore, weight loss is not a common adverse effect of antipsychotic medications and is the correct answer.
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