Comprehensive Nursing Pharmacology Q 300

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A client is prescribed with carbamazepine (Tegretol) for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Which of the following laboratory results indicates that the client is experiencing a side effect of this medication?

  

     A. Neutrophil count of 1,200/mm3.

     B. Platelet count of 160,000/mm3.

     C. Uric acid level of 4mg/dl.

     D. SGPT (ALT) level 50 units per liter of serum.

    

    

Correct Answer: A. Neutrophil count of 1,200/mm3.

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Carbamazepine is used to treat seizures and nerve pain such as trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. It causes a decreased level of platelet count, white blood cells, and neutrophil count. The normal range for neutrophils is 1,500 to 8,000/mm3).

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Options B, C, & D: All of these are normal values.

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