What monitoring must a CMA perform when administering Tegretol?

When administering Tegretol (carbamazepine), the most critical monitoring a CMA (Certified Medication Aide) should perform is the patient's weight. This is important because Tegretol is often used to manage conditions like epilepsy and bipolar disorder, but it can also have side effects that contribute to weight changes.

Monitoring weight is essential to detect potential side effects, such as fluid retention or metabolic changes, that might indicate a need to adjust the medication. Additionally, weight fluctuations may have therapeutic implications for the overall treatment plan. The other monitoring options, while important in general patient care, are not as specifically linked to the administration of Tegretol. For example, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate monitoring may be necessary for other medications, but Tegretol primarily requires attention to the patient's weight due to its specific side effects and the potential impact on their health and treatment efficacy.