Question

A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client who has schizophrenia and is taking clozapine. Which of the following value should the nurseIdentify as a contraindication for receiving clozapine

a.WBC count 2,500/mm3MY ANSWERClozapine can cause agranulocytosis, which can be fatal due to overwhelming infection. The nurse should identify a WBC count of less than 3,000/mm3 as a possible manifestation of agranulocytosis and should withhold the medication and notify the provider.
b.Hgb 11.5 mg/dLClozapine does not affect Hgb levels. Therefore, this value is not a contraindication for receiving clozapine.
c.Platelets 150,000/mm3A platelet count of 150,000/mm3 is within the expected reference range. Therefore, this value is not a contraindication for receiving clozapine.
d.RBC count 3.5 million/mm3Clozapine does not affect RBC levels. Therefore, this value is not a contraindication for receiving clozapine.

Answer 1

A WBC count of 2,500/mm3 is a contraindication for continuing clozapine due to the risk of agranulocytosis. Neutrophil counts like ANCs are important in evaluating readiness for chemotherapy, while CD4+ T cell counts are critical in managing HIV/AIDS treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse who is reviewing the lab results for a client with schizophrenia on clozapine should identify that a WBC count of 2,500/mm3 is a contraindication for receiving clozapine. This is due to the risk of agranulocytosis, which can lead to life-threatening infections. In chemotherapy, a patient's ANC (absolute neutrophil count) is critical to decide if they can proceed with treatment; a count of 1,900 cells per microliter may still be considered safe for certain chemotherapy protocols, though it is on the lower side. Regarding HIV and AIDS management, a CD4+ T cell count below 500 cells/μL necessitates changes in the treatment regimen to prevent opportunistic infections due to immunodeficiency, while a count below 400 cells/μL indicates a severely compromised immune response.