An older adult client is taking theophylline, a xanthine derivative, for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While taking theophylline, what might symptoms of tachycardia, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, irritability, and headache indicate?

Question

a. Toxicity
b. Metabolic syndrome
c. Hypoglycemia
d. Serotonin syndrome

Answer 1

a. Toxicity
FEEDBACK:
a. While the client is taking theophylline, symptoms of tachycardia, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, irritability, and headache may indicate toxicity. The theophylline level should be checked.
b. These are not signs of metabolic syndrome. .
c. While headache may be a sign of hypoglycemia, these combined symptoms may indicate something else while the client is taking theophylline. .
d. Some of these symptoms may be seen in serotonin syndrome, but since the client is an older adult and taking theophylline, the combined symptoms suggest something else. .