Lehne's Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Providers,

A patient with schizophrenia receives a dose of risperidone [Risperdal Consta] IM. The nurse teaching this patient about this medication will make which statement? a. “You will experience therapeutic levels of this drug in 1 to 2 weeks.” b. “You will need injections of this drug every 6 weeks.” c. “You will need to take an oral antipsychotic drug for 3 weeks.” d. “You probably will not have extrapyramidal symptoms with this drug.” ANS: C Risperidone given intramuscularly is a depot preparation used for long-term therapy. Significant release of the drug does not occur until 2 to 3 weeks after injection; therefore, patients must take an oral antipsychotic medication until drug levels are raised. Therapeutic levels are reached 4 to 6 weeks after injection. Patients need injections every 2 weeks. With IM dosing, the incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms is substantial.DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: pp. 240TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies 174.A patient with schizophrenia shows suicidal behaviors, and the provider orders clozapine