A female client who is admitted to the mental health unit for opiate dependency is receiving clonidine 0.1 mg by mouth (PO) for withdrawal symptoms. The client begins to complain of feeling nervous and tells the nurse that her bones are itching. Which finding should the nurse identify as a contraindication for administering the medication?

The correct answer is: D. Blood pressure 90/76 mm Hg. Clonidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used to manage withdrawal symptoms, but it lowers blood pressure as a side effect. If the client's blood pressure is already low (90/76 mm Hg), administering clonidine could lead to hypotension, putting them at risk for dizziness, fainting, or more severe complications. Here's why the other options are not contraindications: A. Hypertension: Clonidine is actually used to treat high blood pressure, so it wouldn’t be a contraindication. B. Apical heart rate 72 beats/minute: This heart rate is within normal limits, so it wouldn’t prevent administration. C. Muscle weakness: While clonidine can cause fatigue, muscle weakness is not a direct contraindication. Since the client is experiencing withdrawal symptoms like nervousness and unusual sensations ("bones itching"), monitoring vital signs is critical before giving the medication.