A nurse is preparing to administer amantadine 150 mg PO every 12 hr. The available medication is amantadine 50 mg/5 mL syrup.

How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?

The adverse effect the nurse should report to the provider is A. Sweating and fever.

This combination of symptoms is a key indicator of Serotonin Syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition that, while rare with buspirone alone, can occur, particularly if the client is taking other medications that increase serotonin (like SSRIs or MAOIs).

The nurse should report these signs immediately because:

• Sweating (Diaphoresis) and High Fever (Hyperthermia) are core components of the triad of symptoms for Serotonin Syndrome (autonomic instability).

• Serotonin Syndrome also involves changes in mental status (e.g., confusion, hallucinations, which is option D) and neuromuscular hyperactivity (e.g., muscle rigidity, tremors).

• This is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to prevent complications like rhabdomyolysis, metabolic acidosis, and renal failure.

In comparison:

• C. Decreased appetite is a common, generally mild, and manageable side effect.

• D. Hallucinations are a serious central nervous system side effect, but when presented alongside the life-threatening systemic signs of Serotonin Syndrome (A), option A represents the more urgent and dangerous adverse reaction.

• B. Discolored urine is not a standard adverse effect and would need investigation, but is not as acutely critical as signs of Serotonin Syndrome.

Choice A rationale:

Protecting the client from injury is the highest priority nursing action in this scenario. Here's a detailed rationale explaining the importance of this action: