Question

A client with schizophrenia is receiving chlorpromazine (Thorazine) \(400 \mathrm{mg}\) twice a day. An adverse side effect of the medication is: A. Photosensitivity B. Elevated temperature C. Weight gain D. Elevated blood pressure

Short answer

Answer: Photosensitivity

Step-by-step solution

Understand the medication and its common side effects

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) is an antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia. It helps to manage psychotic symptoms by affecting the actions of certain chemicals in the brain. Common side effects of chlorpromazine include drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision. However, this question asks about an adverse side effect, so we must identify the side effect that is not desirable or more severe.

Evaluate each option

A. Photosensitivity: Photosensitivity refers to an increased sensitivity to sunlight or artificial light, and can cause skin irritation, redness, or sunburn. Chlorpromazine is known to cause photosensitivity as an adverse side effect. B. Elevated temperature: Elevated temperature might be a symptom of an underlying infection or another medical condition, but it is not a common adverse side effect of chlorpromazine. C. Weight gain: Antipsychotic medications, including chlorpromazine, are known to cause weight gain in some patients as a side effect. However, this side effect does not seem to be as severe or harmful as photosensitivity. D. Elevated blood pressure: Elevated blood pressure can lead to serious health problems, but it is typically not a direct side effect of chlorpromazine. In fact, the medication might cause low blood pressure as an undesired side effect, especially during the first few days of treatment.

Choose the correct answer

After evaluating each option, we can conclude that the adverse side effect of taking chlorpromazine (Thorazine) \(400 \mathrm{mg}\) twice a day for a client with schizophrenia is: A. Photosensitivity