What is a possible adverse reaction of venlafaxine that requires nursing assessment?

Venlafaxine, which is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), has a well-documented potential side effect of causing increased blood pressure, particularly at higher doses. Regular monitoring of blood pressure is essential because venlafaxine can lead to dose-dependent hypertension. This means that as the dose increases, the risk for elevated blood pressure also increases, necessitating careful nursing assessment to identify any changes early on.

In this case, hypertension is a significant adverse effect because it may not present with noticeable symptoms initially, making it crucial for nurses to monitor blood pressure regularly. If left unmonitored, hypertension can lead to serious complications such as cardiovascular events. Therefore, any patient on venlafaxine should have their blood pressure closely observed, especially if they are on higher doses or have pre-existing conditions that could be exacerbated by increased blood pressure.

The other possible choices, while they can occur, do not carry the same level of immediate concern or require consistent monitoring in the context of venlafaxine treatment. Increased appetite may be seen in some patients but is not a common or severe concern. Seizures can occur but are rare and more typically associated with withdrawal from certain medications rather than a direct effect of venlaf