NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

How should the nurse document muscle tremors that develop in a client after a drug is withdrawn?

1. an adverse effect

2. an expected therapeutic effect of no longer taking the drug

3. assessment finding associated with physical dependence on a drug

4. evidence that the client had psychological dependence on the drug

The correct answer is: an adverse effect

When documenting muscle tremors that develop in a client after a drug is withdrawn as an adverse effect, the nurse is accurately recognizing and classifying it as an unwanted or potentially harmful outcome related to the medication withdrawal. This documentation is crucial for tracking the client's response to the drug discontinuation and for providing information for the client's healthcare team to manage this adverse effect effectively. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because muscle tremors post-drug withdrawal are not expected therapeutic effects of stopping the drug, not solely associated with physical dependence, and not necessarily indicative of psychological dependence.