Question

A client diagnosed with anxiety disorder is prescribed buspirone (BuSpar). Teaching instructions for newly prescribed buspirone should include which of the following?

1. A warning that immediate sedation can occur with a resultant drop in pulse
2. A reminder of the need to schedule blood work in 1 week to check blood levels of the drug
3. A warning about the incidence of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
4. A warning about the drug's delayed therapeutic effect, which occurs in 14 to 30 days

Answer 1

Teaching instructions for a client prescribed buspirone for an anxiety disorder should include a warning about the drug's delayed effect, which can take 14 to 30 days. Unlike benzodiazepines, buspirone does not cause immediate sedation and does not require routine blood level checks.

Step-by-step explanation:

When educating a client diagnosed with an anxiety disorder who is newly prescribed buspirone (BuSpar), it is important to include a warning about the drug's delayed therapeutic effect. Unlike benzodiazepines that often have an immediate impact on symptoms such as panic attacks and acute anxiety, buspirone's full effects on relieving anxiety may not be felt until 14 to 30 days after starting the medication.

Buspirone does not have the same sedative effects as benzodiazepines, and it does not typically cause immediate sedation or a drop in pulse. Therefore, warning of immediate sedation is not applicable to buspirone. Additionally, buspirone does not require routine blood work to check drug levels, thus eliminating the need for scheduling blood work in 1 week. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is primarily associated with antipsychotic medications and not with buspirone, so a warning about NMS is also not appropriate for this medication.