Author Question: An older female patient with psychosis has been taking haloperidol (Haldol) for 1 week. The patient ... (Read 89 times)

awywial · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

An older female patient with psychosis has been taking haloperidol (Haldol) for 1 week. The patient has been making wormlike movements with her tongue. How would the nurse evaluate this finding?

1. An adverse effect likely caused by the medication, known as tardive dyskinesia
2. A normal reaction to the medication that will likely go away in a week or two
3. A desired sign that the patient has not been taking the medication
4. A sign of the patient's underlying psychosis, indicating that the medication is not effective

Question 2

The patient says to the nurse, My neighbor said my antidysrhythmic drug can actually cause me to have irregular heartbeats. How can this be? What is the nurse's best answer?

1. Your medication blocks the flow of the electrolytes in your heart, and this can cause irregular beats.
2. It is better to discuss your medication concerns with a professional, not a lay person like your neighbor.
3. You must take two baby aspirins every other day to avoid the irregular heartbeats.
4. Your medication is not the problem; it is when you mix it with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that you develop irregular beats.

jesse.fleming · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

1
Rationale 1: Older female patients on Haldol have a higher incidence of tardive dyskinesia (an adverse effect). Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by wormlike movements of the tongue.
Rationale 2: This reaction is common but will not go away in a week or two.
Rationale 3: While this effect does indicate the patient is taking the medication, it is not desirable.
Rationale 4: This is not an effect of the underlying disease.
Global Rationale: Older female patients on Haldol have a higher incidence of tardive dyskinesia (an adverse effect). Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by wormlike movements of the tongue. This reaction is common but will not go away in a week or two. While this effect does indicate the patient is taking the medication, it is not desirable. This is not an effect of the underlying disease.

Answer to Question 2

1
Rationale 1: Most antidysrhythmic drugs act by interfering with myocardial action potentials, blocking the action of sodium, potassium, and calcium channels and causing some irregular beats.
Rationale 2: Although it is best to discuss medications with a professional, this response does not answer the patient's question.
Rationale 3: Anticoagulant medication is sometimes indicated, but it does not require taking two doses of baby aspirin.
Rationale 4: Mixing the medication with over-the-counter (OTC) medications might result in irregular beats, but this is not the best answer.
Global Rationale: Most antidysrhythmic drugs act by interfering with myocardial action potentials, blocking the action of sodium, potassium, and calcium channels and causing some irregular beats. Mixing the medication with over-the-counter (OTC) medications might result in irregular beats, but this is not the best answer. Anticoagulant medication is sometimes indicated, but it does not require taking two doses of baby aspirin. Although it is best to discuss medications with a professional, this response does not answer the patient's question.