The patient has been taking lorazepam (Ativan) for 2 years. The patient stopped this medication after a neighbor said the drug manufacturer's plant was contaminated with rat droppings. What best describes the nurse's assessment of the patient when seen 3 days after stopping his medication?
1. Increased heart rate, fever, and muscle cramps
2. Nothing different; it is safe to abruptly stop lorazepam (Ativan)
3. Pinpoint pupils, constipation, and urinary retention
4. A sense of calmness and lack of anxiety
1
Rationale 1: Many central nervous system (CNS) depressants can cause physical and psychological dependence. The withdrawal syndrome for some central nervous system (CNS) depressants can include fever, seizures, increased pulse, anorexia, muscle cramps, disorientation, etc.
Rationale 2: It is not safe to abruptly stop lorazepam (Ativan); withdrawal symptoms will occur.
Rationale 3: Pinpoint pupils, constipation, and urinary retention are signs of opioid use.
Rationale 4: The patient would be anxious, not calm, during benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Global Rationale: Many central nervous system (CNS) depressants can cause physical and psychological dependence. The withdrawal syndrome for some central nervous system (CNS) depressants can include fever, seizures, increased pulse, anorexia, muscle cramps, disorientation, etc. It is not safe to abruptly stop lorazepam (Ativan); withdrawal symptoms will occur. Pinpoint pupils, constipation, and urinary retention are signs of opioid use. The patient would be anxious, not calm, during benzodiazepine withdrawal.
You might also like to view...
Advocating for available shelter and other resources and having a safety plan addresses which health restoration goal?
1. Provide treatment for victims of violence. 2. Identify persons at risk for violence. 3. Identify episodes of violence. 4. Provide safe environments.
Which of the following occurs during the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle?
a. decreased secretion of cervical mucus b. development of the corpus luteum c. maturation of the graafian follicle d. maintenance of high levels of progesterone and estrogen
Clients' charts are considered legal documents that are of vital importance in the care of clients. Which of these statements should the nurse avoid charting?
a. The client does not keep follow-up ap-pointments. b. The client discontinues treatment. c. The client refuses medication. d. The nurse thinks the client is hostile.
Identify the most common clinical use of local anesthetics.
A. Abolition of painful stimulation prior to dental procedures B. Abolition of painful stimulation prior to surgical procedures C. Abolition of painful stimulation prior to obstetric procedures D. All of the above