A client with schizophrenia has recently begun a new medication,clozapine (Clozaril).About which signs and symptoms of a potentially fatal side effect will the nurse teach the client?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, which is a potentially fatal side effect that can lead to severe infection. Therefore, the nurse should educate the client to watch for signs of infection such as sore throat, fever, and malaise and to report these symptoms immediately. Blurring vision and muscular weakness, tremor, shuffling gait, rigidity, fine tremor, tinnitus, and nausea are all common side effects of clozapine but not life-threatening.

A Client with Schizophrenia Has Recently Begun a New Medication,clozapine