A nurse observes an older adult client who has been taking ...

[Pineappleeh]

A nurse observes an older adult client who has been taking antipsychotic medications for 8 months. The client is smacking her lips and blinking her eyes rapidly. The nurse also observes a protruding tongue. Which action by the nurse would be most appropri
 
  A) Ask whether the client has been experiencing side effects.
  B) Contact the client's physician for a different medication order.
  C) Document the client's symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.
  D) Instruct the client to begin tapering the medication.

Question 2

A hospitalized client who has been taking an antipsychotic medication for 2 weeks begins pacing and walking throughout the unit. He tells the nurse that he cannot sit still. The nurse documents this finding as which of the following?
 
  A) Akinesia
  B) Dystonia
  C) Pseudoparkinsonism
  D) Akathisia

[duke02]

Answer to Question 1

Ans: C
The nurse should document the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, a chronic syndrome caused by long-term use. Asking the client whether she has been experiencing side effects would be inappropriate because the client is already exhibiting signs. Contacting the physician for a different medication implies that these effects can be reversed. Tardive dyskinesia is typically irreversible. It is not within the nurse's scope of practice to instruct the client to begin to taper the drug.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: D
The client's inability to sit still and his or her frequent pacing are termed akathisia, an extrapyramidal effect of the antipsychotic medication. Akinesia is slowed movements. Dystonia involves involuntary muscle spasms that lead to abnormal postures, especially of the head and neck muscles. Pseudoparkinsonism includes rigidity, slowed movements, and tremor.

[Pineappleeh]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[bassamabas]

Gracias!