RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2024
Mental Health Nursing
Easy
What is the main side effect of ECT?
Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2024
Explanation
- The most significant and common adverse effect of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is memory impairment.
- This includes retrograde amnesia (loss of memory for past events) and anterograde amnesia (difficulty forming new memories).
- Studies indicate that a high percentage of patients (around 75%) consider memory loss to be the most troubling side effect of the treatment.
- While often transient, memory deficits can sometimes be persistent, particularly concerning autobiographical information around the treatment period.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option B: Fracture is a very rare complication in modern ECT, not a main side effect. The routine use of muscle relaxants prevents the intense muscle contractions that could cause fractures.
- Option C: Hypotension is not the primary cardiovascular side effect. The typical response is a brief initial drop in blood pressure and heart rate, followed by significant hypertension and tachycardia during the seizure.
- Option D: A seizure is the intended therapeutic mechanism of ECT, not a side effect. The entire procedure is designed to induce a controlled seizure.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Side effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- A key nursing role is to educate the patient and family about the high likelihood of temporary memory loss and confusion after ECT and to provide reassurance.
- Post-procedure, the nurse must orient the patient frequently, monitor for confusion, and implement safety measures (e.g., fall precautions) until the patient is fully alert and stable.
- What if the patient has pre-existing severe osteoporosis? The risk of fracture, though still very low with modified ECT, would be higher. This requires careful risk-benefit assessment by the team and may necessitate a more profound level of muscle relaxation and careful patient positioning during the procedure.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the core concepts in the question: 'ECT' (Electroconvulsive Therapy) and 'main side effect'.
- The question asks for the primary adverse effect, not a rare complication or the intended effect of the therapy.
- Review the options and categorize them: Is it the goal of the therapy, a common side effect, or a rare complication?
- Recall that a seizure is the intended therapeutic action of ECT.
- Recall that modern ECT uses muscle relaxants, making fractures very rare.
- Differentiate between the common, expected side effects and other potential issues. Memory loss is widely known as the most significant concern for patients undergoing ECT.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Side effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
- Stem keywords: ECT, main side effect
- Lead-in keywords: What is
- Negative lead-in flag: false
Question ID
Q6TnBIciQrlfRxsAYeQVa0
Reference Book
E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 14100-14102, 11208-11210
E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 2312-2314
Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2024
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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