Practice Question
A client with schizophrenia is started on clozapine. Which of the following should the nurse monitor most closely during treatment?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
White blood cell count
Rationale:
💠 Clozapine carries a high risk of agranulocytosis, a severe and potentially fatal drop in white blood cell (WBC) count, making hematologic monitoring the top priority.
💠 The nurse must ensure regular WBC and ANC (absolute neutrophil count) testing to detect early bone-marrow suppression.
💠 Loss of neutrophils significantly increases the risk of life-threatening infections, so early detection allows for immediate discontinuation of the drug and rapid intervention.
💠 This monitoring requirement is so critical that clozapine can only be dispensed through a specialized REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program.
❌ Blood pressure — Important for many antipsychotics, but not the highest risk with clozapine.
❌ Electrolytes — Not typically affected by clozapine.
❌Liver function tests — Mild effects possible, but not the primary concern.
Want to practice more questions like this?
This question is from Examplify NUR 144 Unit 2 Fall 2025 which contains 49 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
A nurse is caring for a client who has a serious mental illness and has developed tardive dyskinesia from anti-psychotic medication use. Which of the following adverse effects from anti-psychotic medication use would be expected for the client?
Answer Choices:
A 25-year-old client presents with chronic pain in multiple locations, excessive anxiety about symptoms, and frequent healthcare visits. Despite extensive testing, no medical cause is found. Which diagnosis best fits this presentation?
Answer Choices:
The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The client returns to the unit post procedure. Which priority nursing intervention should the nurse implement?
Answer Choices:
A nurse is caring for a 12-year-old diagnosed with conduct disorder. Which intervention should be prioritized in the treatment plan?
Answer Choices:
The nurse preceptor is reviewing the concept of ethical principles with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following would the nurse include as an ethical principle?
Answer Choices:
Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: Examplify Exam(s)
- Domain: Mental Health
- Answer Choices: 4