رجل عمره ٥٧ سنة يأخذ كلونيدين ٠٫٢ ملغ ٣ مرات يومياً للضغط منذ سنة، وضغطه مضبوط ١٢٨/٨٠. يقول إنه سيوقفه من الغد لأنه يسبب له نعاساً وجفاف فم، ولن يراجع الطبيب. ما أهم معلومة يعطيها الممرض؟

A 57-year-old man has taken clonidine 0.2 mg three times daily for a year; BP is controlled at 128/80. He says he will stop it tomorrow because of drowsiness and dry mouth, without seeing the doctor. What is the most important information the nurse gives?

1. He can stop at once because its effect lasts a week
2. Stopping suddenly can cause severe rebound hypertension
3. The symptoms mean the dose is too low and needs raising
4. He can swap it himself for any other BP tablet he has

Answer: B) Stopping suddenly can cause severe rebound hypertension. Clonidine is tapered under medical supervision, because abrupt withdrawal causes dangerous rebound hypertension with tachycardia. Drowsiness and dry mouth are common side effects to discuss with the prescriber.