Author Question: A patient who is taking an antipsychotic drug for schizophrenia comes to the clinic for evaluation. ... (Read 59 times)

londonang · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient who is taking an antipsychotic drug for schizophrenia comes to the clinic for evaluation. The nurse observes that the patient has a shuffling gait and tremors and is drooling.

The nurse will ask the patient's provider about which course of action?
a. Administering a direct dopamine antagonist
b. Giving an anticholinergic medication
c. Increasing the dose of the antipsychotic drug
d. Stopping the antipsychotic drug

Question 2

A patient on the unit complains of cluster headaches. A new graduate nurse is asked to differentiate between a migraine headache and cluster headaches.

The graduate nurse is correct to state that manifestations and/or risk factors for a patient with cluster headaches include what? (Select all that apply.)
a. Female gender
b. Male gender
c. Complaints of nausea and vomiting
d. Short duration (15 minutes to 2 hours)
e. Auras before the onset of headache pain
f. Throbbing, sometimes piercing pain

ngr69 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
The patient is showing signs of parkinsonism, an extrapyramidal effect associated with antipsychotic medications. Anticholinergic medications are indicated. A direct dopamine antagonist would counter the effects of the antipsychotic and remove any beneficial effect it has. Increasing the dose of the antipsychotic medication would only worsen the extrapyramidal symptoms. Stopping the antipsychotic medication would cause the symptoms of schizophrenia to worsen.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B, D, F
Cluster headaches are more common in males, are short in duration, and present as throbbing and piercing pain. Migraine headaches are more common in females and are manifested by nausea and vomiting and the presence of an aura before the onset of headache pain.