NURSING RN 101 NL Knowldg & Clinic Judgmt Advanced Rationales.

NURSING RN 101 NL Knowldg & Clinic Judgmt Advanced Rationales. Test: Knowledge and Clinical Judgement Advanced Test Question: 1 A nurse is collecting data on a client who is diagnosed with schizophrenia and is taking clozapine (Clozaril). Which of the following findings indicates the client is experiencing an adverse effect of the medication? Heart rate 64/min In this item, you need nursing knowledge of clozapine to recall adverse effects associated with the medication. Based on an understanding of this information, you can identify which is the correct option. This item requires foundational thinking because you have to recall knowledge related to adverse effects of clozapine. A heart rate of 64/min does not indicate the client is experiencing an adverse effect of the medication. Instead, tachycardia is an adverse effect that can occur in clients who are taking clozapine because of the blockage of muscarinic cholinergic receptors. WBC 2,800/mm3 In this item, you need nursing knowledge of clozapine to recall adverse effects associated with the medication. Based on an understanding of this information, you can identify which is the correct option. This item requires foundational thinking because you have to recall knowledge related to adverse effects of clozapine. Clozapine is a second-generation antipsychotic used to relieve symptoms of schizophrenia and to reduce suicidal behaviors in clients who have schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Adverse effects of clozapine include tachycardia, weight gain, sedation, and agranulocytosis. Agranulocytosis, which is a decrease in one of the WBCs called neutrophils, reduces the ability to fight infection and can be fatal. Because of the potential for agranulocytosis, clients who are taking clozapine are monitored frequently for a decrease in WBC count below 3,000/mm3. The client’s WBC and absolute neutrophil count is monitored weekly during the first 6 months of therapy, then every 2 weeks during the next 6 months. A WBC level of 2,800/mm3 indicates the client is experiencing an adverse effect of the medication. Weight loss