Ans: A nurse is administering medications to clients on a psychiatric unit. What
does the nurse identify as the reason that so many psychiatric clients are given
the drug benztropine or trihexyphenidyl in conjunction with the phenothiazine-
derivative neuroleptic medications?
Quiz Torticollis
Ans: acute dystonia that involves muscle spasms of the neck; develops within 1 to
5 days after beginning therapy with a conventional antipsychotic
Quiz Tardive dyskinesia
Ans: involuntary repetitious tonic muscular spasms that involve the face, tongue,
lips, limbs, and trunk; takes several months to years to develop after the start of
therapy with a conventional antipsychotic
,d/c if observed, may be reversible
Quiz Pseudoparkinsonism
Ans: extrapyramidal tract response that includes masklike facies, shuffling gait,
pill-rolling tremors, stooped posture, and drooling; develops within several days
to 1 month after the start of therapy with a conventional antipsychotic
Quiz Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Ans: severe, potentially fatal response to conventional antipsychotics
caused by acute reduction in dopamine activity, precipitating
hyperthermia/pyrexia, tachycardia, tachypnea, unstable blood pressure,
dyskinesia, incontinence, decreased level of consciousness
Quiz Clozapine
Ans: 2nd gen atypical antipsychotic drug that is more effective than other second-
generation antipsychotics
Seizures, sedation, and akathisia are common side effects
, contraindicated in clients with bone marrow depression
may cause agranulocytosis, the client's white blood cell (WBC) count should be
monitored weekly. The drug should be discontinued if the count falls below
3,000/mm 3
use with caution in clients with seizures
Quiz Isocarboxazid
Ans: MAOI
Circulatory collapse is associated with toxicity
Quiz fluphenazine
Ans: typical antipsychotic
Acute dystonic reactions such as tremors, dyskinesia, and akathisia are observable
side effects
decreased salivating