Question

A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has schizophrenia and is to start taking clozapine. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a contraindication for the client to receive clozapine?

A. BP 150/87
B. WBC 2,800
C. Auditory hallucinations
D. Nausea

Answer 1

A white blood cell count of 2,800 is a contraindication for a client with schizophrenia to start taking clozapine, due to the risk of agranulocytosis, a condition that can severely reduce the number of white blood cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

The contraindication for a client with schizophrenia to receive clozapine is noted in the presence of a low white blood cell count (WBC). A WBC count of 2,800 would be considered a contraindication to start treatment with clozapine. Clozapine can cause a potentially dangerous side effect known as agranulocytosis, which is a severe reduction in the number of white blood cells, and this can make patients more susceptible to infections.

While a BP of 150/87 indicates elevated blood pressure, it is not a contraindication for clozapine unless the hypertension is severe and unmanaged. Auditory hallucinations are one of the symptoms of schizophrenia that clozapine is intended to treat, while nausea is a possible side effect of the medication but not a contraindication.

Therefore, the correct answer to which of the findings is a contraindication for the client to receive clozapine is B. WBC 2,800.