A nurse is providing education to nurses on the unit. Which statement is correct regarding the impact of prolonged central nervous system drug exposure on the central nervous system?
a. Side and adverse effects generally increase over time.
b. When tolerance develops, drug dosage should be decreased and eventually tapered off.
c. These drugs usually act immediately to produce profound structural changes in the nervous system.
d. These drugs may take some time to exert the changes that produce the desired effects.
ANS: D
Antipsychotics and antidepressants must be taken for several weeks before full therapeutic effects are seen.
Side effects and adverse effects typically decrease over time, and tolerance may develop.
With tolerance a dose increase may be needed, for physical dependence the dose should be decreased and eventually tapered off.
These drugs do no act immediately to produce profound structural changes in the nervous system.
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