A patient with a history of suicidal behavior with schizophrenia stopped taking clozapine (Clozaril) after 4 weeks of therapy. The patient is currently experiencing a return of hallucinations. What might the nurse assess when determining the reason the patient stopped taking the medication? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Standard

Question

Text: Select all that apply.

1. Feeling sedated all the time
2. Significant weight gain
3. Agitation
4. Fatigue and headache
5. Uncontrollable sexual urges

Answer 1

1,2,3,4
Rationale 1: Patients do not like the side effect of being sedated all the time.
Rationale 2: Substantial weight gain has been reported in some patients taking this medication. This is a reason some stop taking the medication.
Rationale 3: Agitation may be an extrapyramidal symptom of treatment with this medication and is an unwanted adverse effect.
Rationale 4: Fatigue and headache are possible side effects of this medication.
Rationale 5: Side effects include loss of libido, not uncontrollable sexual urges.
Global Rationale: Patients do not like the side effect of being sedated all the time. Substantial weight gain has been reported in some patients taking this medication. This is a reason some stop taking the medication. Agitation may be an extrapyramidal symptom of treatment with this medication and is an unwanted adverse effect. Fatigue and headache are possible side effects of this medication. Side effects include loss of libido, not uncontrollable sexual urges.