A nurse is assessing a client who has a prescription for haloperidol 0.5 mg PO three times daily. The medication administration record shows that the client received 5 mg per dose on the previous day. Which of the following manifestations is the nurse's priority to assess?
Muscle stiffness
Constipation
Dry mouth
Daytime drowsiness
The Correct Answer is A
A. Muscle stiffness can indicate extrapyramidal symptoms or early neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which are potentially life-threatening complications of haloperidol overdose. Prompt assessment and intervention are critical to prevent serious harm.
B. Constipation is a common side effect of haloperidol due to anticholinergic effects, but it develops gradually and is not immediately dangerous.
C. Dry mouth is also an anticholinergic side effect, causing discomfort but not posing an acute threat to the client’s safety.
D. Daytime drowsiness is a frequent effect of haloperidol, especially at high doses, but it is less immediately dangerous than neuromuscular complications.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Brimonidine should not be instilled while wearing contact lenses; the client should remove them and wait at least 15 minutes before reinsertion.
B. Mild eye irritation, stinging, or burning is a common side effect of brimonidine and is an expected finding.
C. Brimonidine is used as a long-term treatment for open-angle glaucoma; it is not discontinued after a short course like 3 weeks.
D. Brimonidine does not change eye color; this is an effect associated with prostaglandin analogs such as latanoprost.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Acetylcysteine is not indicated for gastrointestinal bleeding; other treatments are used for that condition.
B. Acute bronchospasm is treated with bronchodilators rather than acetylcysteine.
C. Morphine toxicity requires other interventions, such as opioid antagonists (e.g., naloxone), and acetylcysteine is not effective in this case.
D. Acetylcysteine is specifically indicated for acetaminophen toxicity as it acts as an antidote, replenishing glutathione stores and preventing liver damage from toxic metabolites.
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