A patient being treated with paroxetine (Paxil) 50 mg po daily for depression reports to the clinic nurse, "I took a few extra tablets earlier today and now I feel bad." Which assessments are most critical? Select all that apply
a. Vital signs
b. Urinary frequency
c. Psychomotor retardation
d. Presence of abdominal pain and diarrhea
e. Hyperactivity or feelings of restlessness
ANS: A, D, E
The patient is taking the maximum dose of this SSRI and has ingested an additional unknown amount of the drug. Central serotonin syndrome must be considered. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, hyperpyrexia, increased motor activity, and muscle spasms. Central serotonin syndrome may progress to a full medical emergency if not treated early. The patient may have urinary retention, but frequency would not be expected.
You might also like to view...
Which medication may be administered with a bronchodilator because it can cause bronchospasms?
a. b2-Agonists b. Mucloytics c. Anticholinergic agents d. Xanthines
Mr. Burns, who is 80-years-old, is scheduled for cataract surgery. You are responsible for his preoperative and postoperative teaching, and he expresses his fear and anxiety to you. He says, "I'm just too old for this
You can't teach an old dog new tricks." You respond to his concerns by saying: A) "You seem concerned about your surgery, Mr. Burns. I'm here to help if you'd like to talk about it." B) "You're only as old as you feel, Mr. Burns!" C) "You might surprise yourself, Mr. Burns!" D) "You have to learn this or your doctor can't do the surgery and your vision will not improve, Mr. Burns."
A client recovering from a kidney transplant needs to be assessed for a hypersensitivity reaction. Which type of hypersensitive reaction is associated with transplants?
1. Type 1 2. Type 2 3. Type 3 4. Type 4
A patient's monitor strip shows an irregular rhythm. Which method of estimating the rate would be best for the nurse to use? The nurse should count the number of:
1. Small blocks between two consecutive R waves and divide by 1500 2. Large blocks between two consecutive R waves and divide by 300 3. QRS complexes in 6 seconds and multiply by 10 4. Large blocks in 3 seconds and multiply by 20