Exam #2 Question&answer

The nurse is caring for a 72 year old client taking gabapentin (Neurontin) for a seizure disorder. Because of this client's age, the nurse would establish which nursing diagnosis related to the drug's common adverse effects? 1. Risk for deficient fluid volume 2. Risk for impaired verbal communication 3. Risk for constipation 4. Risk for falls {Ans: Answer 4. Rationale: CNS depression including dizziness and drowsiness is a common adverse effect of gabapentine (Gralise, Horizant, Neurontin). Because of this patient's age, these effects may increase the risk of falls. Options 1, 2, and 3 are incorrect. The drug is not known to cause dehydration (fluid volume deficit) or constipation or impair the ability to communicate.}A health care professional is caring for a patient who is taking venlataxine to treat major depression. The health care professional should recognize that which of the following drugs can cause serotonin syndrome when patients take it concurrently with venlafaxine? 1. Alprazolam (Xanax) 2. Phenytoin (Dilantin) 3. Phenelzine (Nardil) 4. Pilocarpine (Isopto Carpine) {Ans: Answer 3. Rationale: Patients should not take venlafaxine, a SSRI, within 14 days of taking phenezine, other MAOIs, or serotonergic drugs. Serotonin syndrome is a life-threatening complication characterized by anxiety,