A nurse is obtaining a history from a client who has been taking olanzapine to treat schizophrenia. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask the client?
A.
“Have you noticed that your taste has decreased?”
B.
“Have you noticed an increase in thirst?”
C.
“Have you noticed unintentional weight loss?”
D.
“Have you noticed a ringing in your ears?”
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is B. “Have you noticed an increase in thirst?”
Explanation:
Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic medication commonly used to treat schizophrenia. One of the significant side effects associated with olanzapine is weight gain, which can lead to increased thirst. This is part of a broader spectrum of metabolic side effects, including hyperglycemia, which can cause symptoms like excessive thirst (polydipsia) and frequent urination (polyuria). Monitoring for these symptoms is important because they may indicate the onset of diabetes or other metabolic issues related to the medication.
A. “Have you noticed that your taste has decreased?” While olanzapine can affect taste, this is not a primary concern compared to metabolic side effects. Taste alterations are less commonly monitored.
C. “Have you noticed unintentional weight loss?” Weight loss is not typically associated with olanzapine. In fact, weight gain is a more common side effect. Therefore, this question is less relevant in the context of monitoring for side effects of olanzapine.
D. “Have you noticed a ringing in your ears?” This symptom, known as tinnitus, is not commonly associated with olanzapine use. It is more pertinent to medications that affect the central nervous system or those known to have ototoxic effects, which olanzapine does not typically cause.
In summary, increased thirst is a critical symptom to monitor in patients taking olanzapine due to its potential link to hyperglycemia and diabetes, making option B the most appropriate question to ask.