A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has multiple medication prescriptions and must take the medications at specific intervals when at home. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

While preventing injury is important, it is not the highest priority when the client's respiratory and neurological functions are compromised. Managing the client's breathing takes precedence.

B. Applying a cooling blanket.

While hyperthermia (high fever) is a symptom of serotonin syndrome, the immediate concern is ensuring the client's breathing and neurological stability. Cooling measures can be beneficial, but they come after addressing the more critical issues.

C. Administering an anticonvulsant.

While anticonvulsants might be used to control seizures, preparing for artificial ventilation takes priority, as the client's airway and oxygenation must be secured before addressing other symptoms.

D. Preparing for artificial ventilation.

Explanation: Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by an excess of serotonin in the body, often resulting from interactions between medications that affect serotonin levels. Severe manifestations of serotonin syndrome can include high fever, muscle rigidity, agitation, seizures, and even coma. In cases of severe serotonin syndrome, the client's neurological and respiratory functions can be compromised, making it crucial to ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation.

A. Hyperactivity: While some individuals with eating disorders may engage in excessive physical activity as a form of compensatory behavior, hyperactivity is not a consistent and universal manifestation.

B. Amenorrhea: Adolescents with eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa, often experience amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods) due to hormonal imbalances and low body weight.

C. Verbalized desire to gain weight: Individuals with eating disorders, especially anorexia nervosa, often express a strong desire to lose weight rather than gain weight, which contributes to their restrictive eating habits.

D. Altered body image: Eating disorders are often associated with distorted body image, where individuals perceive themselves as overweight or larger than they actually are, even if they are underweight.

E. Bradycardia: Severe malnutrition, as seen in eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, can lead to bradycardia (slow heart rate) as the body conserves energy in response to the low caloric intake.