Nurse Assessment
Monitor mental status (mood, orientation, behavior)
Assess for suicidal tendencies
Assess weight and BMI initially and during therapy (weight gain possible)
Monitor BP (sitting, standing, lying) and pulse frequently.
Observe the patient ensure medication is swallowed and not hoarded or cheeked.
Monitor for extrapyramidal side effects (akathisia—restlessness; dystonia—muscle spasms and twisting motions; or pseudoparkinsonism—mask-like faces, rigidity, tremors, drooling, shuffling gait, dysphagia). Report these symptoms; reduction of dose or discontinuation may be necessary. Trihexyphenidyl or benztropine may be used to control these symptoms.
Monitor for tardive dyskinesia (involuntary rhythmic movement of mouth, face, and extremities). Report immediately; it may be irreversible.
Monitor for development of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (fever, respiratory distress, tachycardia, seizures, diaphoresis, hypertension or hypotension, pallor, tiredness).
Assess for rash periodically during therapy—may cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Discontinue treatment if severe or accompanied by fever, general malaise, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters, oral lesions, conjunctivitis, hepatitis, and eosinophilia.
Monitor for signs of pancreatitis (nausea, vomiting, anorexia, persistent severe abdominal pain, sometimes radiating to the back) during therapy.
Monitor for symptoms related to hyperprolactinemia (menstrual abnormalities, galactorrhea, sexual dysfunction).
Assess for falls risk. Drowsiness, orthostatic hypotension, and motor and sensory instability increase the risk. Institute prevention if indicated.
Monitor for signs and symptoms of DRESS (fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, and facial swelling) associated with involvement of other organ systems (hepatitis, nephritis, hematologic abnormalities, myocarditis, myositis) during therapy. It may resemble an acute viral infection. Eosinophilia is often present. Discontinue treatment if signs occur.
• Lab Test Considerations: May cause asymptomatic ↑ in AST and ALT.
• May also cause anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, and leukopenia.
• May cause ↑ total cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Obtain fasting blood glucose and cholesterol levels initially and throughout therapy.
• Monitor serum prolactin before and periodically during therapy. May cause ↑ serum prolactin levels.
Patient Teaching
Consult health care professionals before stopping quetiapine; it should be discontinued gradually. Stopping abruptly may cause insomnia, nausea, and vomiting.
It should not be given to elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis; it may ↑ risk of death.
Possibility of extrapyramidal symptoms. Instruct patient to report symptoms immediately to a health care professional.
Change positions slowly to minimize orthostatic hypotension. Protect from falls.
May cause drowsiness. Caution patient to avoid driving or other activities requiring alertness.
Avoid extremes in temperature; this drug impairs body temperature regulation.
Advise patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and consult with a health care professional before taking other drugs and alcohol, especially other CNS depressants.
Advise patient and family to notify health care professional if thoughts about suicide or dying, attempts to commit suicide; new or worse depression; new or worse anxiety; feeling very agitated or restless; panic attacks; trouble sleeping; new or worse irritability; acting aggressively; being angry or violent; acting on dangerous impulses; an extreme increase in activity and talking; other unusual changes in behavior or mood occur.
Refer a patient for nutritional, weight, or medical management of dyslipidemia.
Instruct patient to notify health care professional promptly if sore throat, fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, constipation, or rash.
Emphasize the importance of routine follow-up exams to monitor side effects and continued participation in psychotherapy as indicated to improve coping skills.