A nurse administers diazepam for a patient requiring mechanical ventilation. The nurse should be alert for which possible side effect?

Explanation

•Diazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine that can sometimes be used for sedation of a ventilated patient.

•Common side effects include hypotension, suppression of REM sleep, nausea, dizziness, sedation, and respiratory depression.

•Lethargy and sedation are incorrect because these are the desired outcomes.

•Respiratory depression, while it is a common side effect of Diazepam, in this case it is incorrect because the patient is mechanically ventilated, therefore, respiratory depression is not a concern at this time.

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