HESI Registered Nurse EXIT Practice Exam

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What is a common side effect of taking chlorpromazine (Thorazine) that requires monitoring?

Increased appetite
Change in libido
Dry mouth
Sore throat, fever

The correct answer is: Sore throat, fever

Chlorpromazine, an antipsychotic medication, is known to potentially cause agranulocytosis, which is a serious reduction in white blood cell count. This condition increases the risk of infections and can present with symptoms such as a sore throat and fever, indicating that the body is struggling to fight off infections due to a compromised immune system. Therefore, monitoring for sore throat and fever is essential when a patient is on chlorpromazine to ensure prompt identification and management of any potential hematological side effects. Other side effects, such as increased appetite, changes in libido, and dry mouth, while they may occur with chlorpromazine, are typically not as critical or life-threatening as the possibility of agranulocytosis. They do not usually require the same level of monitoring, emphasizing the importance of being vigilant for signs of infection and the need for regular blood work to check white blood cell counts during treatment.