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    ATI LPN MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM

    A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed clozapine. Which of the following topics should the nurse prepare to discuss with the client?

    Explanation & Rationale

    A. The importance of avoiding foods that contain tyramine when taking an antipsychotic. Tyramine restrictions apply to monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), not antipsychotics like clozapine. MAOIs require dietary modifications to prevent hypertensive crises, but clozapine does not interact with tyramine-containing foods. B. The importance of routine red blood cell count laboratory work when taking an antipsychotic. Clozapine requires regular white blood cell (WBC) and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) monitoring, not red blood cell counts, due to the risk of agranulocytosis, a potentially fatal condition that can lead to severe infections. C. The importance of limiting fluid intake when taking an antipsychotic. Fluid restriction is not a standard recommendation for clozapine use. However, some antipsychotics can cause polydipsia (excessive thirst), which may lead to water intoxication, but fluid restriction is not a routine precaution. D. The importance of medication adherence after the resolution of acute psychosis when taking an antipsychotic. Antipsychotic medications, including clozapine, require long-term adherence to prevent symptom relapse. Clients may feel better and stop taking their medication, increasing the risk of relapse into psychosis, so adherence education is crucial.

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