Question

The nurse is educating a client about newly prescribed alprazolam. Which information should the nurse include in the teaching?

Tardive dyskinesia is common early in treatment.

Administration of paroxetine may be needed to prevent adverse effects.

The use of grapefruit juice should be avoided.

Hyperactivity is seen with long-term use.

Answer 1

The nurse should include in the teaching that the use of grapefruit juice should be avoided while taking alprazolam. The correct answer is option c.

Step-by-step explanation:

When educating a client about the newly prescribed medication alprazolam, a nurse should inform the client that the use of grapefruit juice should be avoided while taking this medication. Grapefruit juice can interfere with the metabolism of alprazolam, leading to increased blood levels and potential toxicity.

The client should not expect to experience tardive dyskinesia as this is not a common side effect of alprazolam, especially early in treatment. Moreover, the additional administration of paroxetine is not required to prevent adverse effects of alprazolam.

As paroxetine is usually prescribed for conditions like depression and is not a counteraction to alprazolam side effects. Lastly, alprazolam is known to cause sedation rather than hyperactivity, regardless of the duration of use. It's also important to discuss the possibility of dependence.