Neurological System: Part 1
a nurse is teaching a client who has a prescription for carbamazepine. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include to help the client avoid adverse effects of this drug?
begin taking the drug at a low dosage ***Visual disturbances, vertigo, and ataxia can result from taking carbamazepine, a drug that treats seizure disorders. Dosages should be low to minimize or prevent these adverse effects.
a nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for pramipexole to treat Parkinson's disease. The nurse should recognize that which of the following lab tests requires monitoring?
creatinine clearance ***Pramipexole, a direct-acting dopamine receptor agonist, should be used with caution for clients who have renal disease. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the client's renal function.
a nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for dantrolene to treat skeletal muscle spasms. The nurse should instruct the client to report which of the following adverse effects?
diarrhea ***Prolonged diarrhea can cause dehydration and other serious effects. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are adverse effects of dantrolene. The client should report these effects so the nurse can monitor fluid balance and intervene accordingly.
a nurse is caring for a client who has been taking selegiline to treat Parkinson's disease. The provider is considering the use of analgesics for the client but should be aware that a drug interaction between selegiline and meperidine can result in which of the following?
muscle rigidity ***A drug interaction between selegiline and opioids, especially meperidine, can result in rigidity, stupor, agitation, hypertension, and fever.
a nurse is caring for a patient who is taking donepezil to treat Alzheimer's disease. For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor?
nausea ***The most common adverse effects of donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor, are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Taking donepezil with food can help minimize adverse effects.
a nurse is teaching a client about interferon beta-1a. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give to help the client avoid the adverse effects of this drug?
premeditate with acetaminophen ***Interferon beta drugs can cause fever, chills, headaches, and muscle aches. Acetaminophen can help minimize these symptoms.
a nurse is preparing to administer sumatriptan to a client for the first time. The nurse should instruct the client that sumatriptan is indicated for which of the following conditions?
presence of a migraine headache ***Sumatriptan is used in the treatment of migraine headaches.
a nurse is caring for a client who is taking interferon beta-1b. The nurse should identify that which of the following finding indicated a potential serious adverse effect of this drug?
fatigue ***The nurse should identify that potential serious adverse effects of interferon beta-1b include unexplained bruising, bleeding, and fatigue. Clients should report these adverse effects to their provider immediately because they can indicate bone marrow suppression and decreased platelet count.
a nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a newly diagnosed seizure disorder and a new prescription for valproic acid and phenytoin. The nurse should include that which of the following can occur as a result of an interaction between these drugs?
phenytoin toxicity ***Valproic acid can cause an increase in phenytoin blood levels, resulting in phenytoin toxicity. The nurse should monitor serum phenytoin levels and notify the provider if levels begin to exceed the therapeutic range.
a nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for amphetamine sulfate. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?
tachycardia ***Amphetamine sulfate is an amphetamine stimulant. It can cause tachycardia and dysrhythmias. The client should notify the nurse if they develop palpitations or chest pain.
