What is a potential side effect of carbamazepine that clients should monitor for?

The correct answer is that clients should monitor for fever or sore throat when taking carbamazepine. Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant medication commonly used for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. One of the significant concerns with carbamazepine is its potential to cause agranulocytosis, a serious condition characterized by an extremely low level of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell). This can lead to an increased risk of infections, which may present clinically as fever or sore throat.

Regular monitoring of blood counts, especially during the first few months of therapy, is essential to detect any drop in white blood cell counts. Patients should be advised to report any signs of infections, such as fever or sore throat, promptly.

While other side effects, such as visual disturbances, skin rash, and severe headache, can occur with carbamazepine usage, the monitoring for fever or sore throat is particularly critical due to the risk of agranulocytosis and the potential for severe complications if left unaddressed.