A patient has taken clonazepam (Klonopin) for years to manage panic attacks but impulsively stopped the drug. Thirty hours later, the patient comes to the emergency room in distress. What is the nurse's priority action?
a. Begin seizure precautions.
b. Refer the patient for addiction counseling.
c. Institute a behavior modification program.
d. Prepare to administer flumazenil (Romazicon).
A
There is evidence to suggest that abrupt withdrawal of clonazepam might precipitate status epilepticus. With this in mind, withdrawal from long-term use warrants seizure precautions. The patient does not have an overdose, so flumazenil (Romazicon) is not indicated. The other options are inappropriate.
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