A nurse is collecting data for a client following electroconvulsive therapy. Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse expect?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Vomiting: Vomiting is not a common adverse effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). While anesthesia or premedication may occasionally cause nausea, it is not a typical expected response directly related to the ECT procedure itself. B. Confusion: Transient confusion and short-term memory loss are common and expected adverse effects after ECT. Clients may experience disorientation immediately post-treatment, usually resolving within minutes to hours, and this is considered part of the normal recovery process. C. Incontinence: Urinary or fecal incontinence is not typically associated with ECT. Motor control is usually intact post-procedure, and incontinence would indicate an unrelated neurological or medical issue. D. Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears is not an expected effect of ECT. Auditory changes are not commonly reported, and if present, they should prompt further evaluation for other causes unrelated to the therapy.