Prep U - Antipsychotics

What is the purpose of a "drug holiday" for a teenager prescribed an amphetamine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? to minimize weight loss to prevent hyperthyroidism to allow electrolyte imbalances to resolve to slow bone resorption

to minimize weight loss Dextroamphetamine often causes loss of appetite, and the health care provider may stop the medication during the months when the child is not in school. A drug holiday, as this is called, helps decrease weight loss and growth suppression. It does not address potential electrolyte imbalances, thyroid imbalances, or the process of bone remodeling.

A client, prescribed dextroamphetamine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), has developed a common adverse effect of the medication since beginning therapy. Which initial intervention should the client be encouraged to implement? Take an over-the-counter (OTC) laxative daily. Increase fiber intake. Take diphenoxylate hydrochloride. Take metronidazole.

Increase fiber intake. A client who is experiencing constipation should be instructed to increase fiber in the diet. The client should not take a laxative before attempting to manage the problem with dietary modifications. The client should not be instructed to take diphenoxylate hydrochloride because it is an antidiarrheal agent. The client should not be given metronidazole since it is an anti-infective agent.

A diabetic patient being treated for obesity tells the nurse that the patient is having adverse effects from the drug therapy. The patient has been taking dextroamphetamine for 2 weeks as adjunct therapy. Which adverse effects would need the nurse's immediate attention? Decreased libido Increased blood glucose Dry eyes Jittery feeling

Increased blood glucose All of the patient's adverse effects should be addressed by the nurse. However, the most critical effect that needs immediate attention would be the increased blood glucose. Drug therapy for the increased blood glucose may need to be altered. The patient should monitor blood glucose levels carefully and report abnormal findings as soon as possible. Medication can help his dry eyes, and a dose adjustment with the dextroamphetamine may be necessary if the jitteriness is profound and does not subside. Sympathomimetic action of the dextroamphetamine may lead to an inability to ejaculate and either increased or decreased libido. The patient may need to seek counseling for this concern.

A client is taking antipsychotic medication and asks the nurse what dopamine is. What is a correct response by the nurse? "Dopamine is an enzyme that regulates your temperature." "Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that deals with pleasure and reward in the brain." "Dopamine is a medication that is given to fight infections and help with pain." "Dopamine is a part of the brain that controls your impulses and thoughts."

"Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that deals with pleasure and reward in the brain."

A group of nursing students are reviewing information about CNS stimulants. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when they identify which drug as being used to treat obesity? Dexmethylphenidate Modafinil Methylphenidate Phentermine

Phentermine

A nurse is obtaining baseline physical data from a 7-year-old patient who is to be started on dextroamphetamine for ADHD. After obtaining vital signs, height, and weight, the nurse will prepare the patient for an electrocardiogram (ECG). electromyelogram (EMG). electroencephalogram (EEG). electrophysiologic study (EPS).

electrocardiogram (ECG). In addition to baseline physical data including height, weight, and vital signs, the nurse should prepare the patient for an ECG. This would be important for ruling out any cardiovascular abnormalities that CNS stimulants might exacerbate, especially in this patient who is 7 years old. An EMG measures the electrical activity of muscle and is used to differentiate between neuropathy and myopathy. This test is not indicated in this patient. An EEG is a recording of the electrical activity of the brain and is used to help identify a focus of disturbance in the brain. An EEG may be performed to evaluate narcolepsy, sleeping patterns, and sleep apnea. However, it would not be indicated in this patient with ADHD. EPS is similar to a cardiac catheterization and can monitor the entire conduction system with mapping of normal and abnormal pathways of the heart. This test would not be needed unless the patient had a serious cardiac condition.

A client with schizophrenia has been taking haloperidol for several years. The care team and the client have collaborated and chosen to transition the client to an atypical antipsychotic in an effort to reduce adverse effects and maximize therapeutic effects. In order to reduce the client's risk of extrapyramidal effects during the transition from haloperidol to an atypical antipsycotic, the care team should implement which intervention? gradually taper the dose of haloperidol have a 2- to 3-week "drug holiday" between stopping the haloperidol and starting the atypical antipsychotic administer haloperidol and the atypical antipsychotic drug concurrently for 6 to 8 weeks arrange for weekly electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) during the time of transition

gradually taper the dose of haloperidol

A 10-year-old boy is taking dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) daily for ADHD. At each clinic visit, the nurse must assess the child. The priority assessment since he is on this medication would be which? height and weight. Vision. body temperature. blood pressure.

height and weight. The nurse should assess blood pressure, body temperature, and vision at each clinic visit as routine nursing measures in caring for a pediatric client. However, the priority assessment would be of height and weight. Monitoring the growth and development of children taking amphetamines is extremely important because these drugs have been associated with growth suppression.