A nurse on a mental health unit observes a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia on antipsychotics exhibiting an impaired gait and uncontrollable tremors. The nurse should recognize that which of the following adverse effects may be occurring?
Acute dystonia
Pseudoparkinsonism
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Tardive dyskinesia
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason:
Acute dystonia is a type of extrapyramidal side effect that can occur with antipsychotic medications. It typically presents as muscle spasms, stiffness, and oculogyric crisis. While it can affect gait and cause tremors, these symptoms are more commonly associated with pseudoparkinsonism when they appear as part of a medication side effect profile.
Choice B reason:
Pseudoparkinsonism is an adverse effect of antipsychotic medications that mimics the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as bradykinesia, rigidity, tremors, and postural instability. The impaired gait and uncontrollable tremors observed by the nurse are characteristic signs of pseudoparkinsonism.
Choice C reason:
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but serious condition associated with the use of antipsychotic medications. It presents with severe muscle rigidity, fever, autonomic instability, and altered mental status. While tremors can be a symptom, the defining features of NMS are high fever and muscle rigidity, which were not mentioned in the scenario.
Choice D reason:
Tardive dyskinesia is a late-onset side effect of antipsychotic medications characterized by repetitive, involuntary, and purposeless movements such as grimacing, tongue protrusion, lip smacking, and blinking. It does not typically present with an impaired gait or tremors, which are more indicative of pseudoparkinsonism.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Socioeconomic stressors are related to an individual's social and economic position and can include factors such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to resources. Homelessness is often directly associated with socioeconomic issues, as it can be a result of financial hardship, lack of affordable housing, and insufficient social support systems.
Choice B reason:
Cultural stressors involve the stress that comes from navigating different cultural norms and expectations. While homelessness can be influenced by cultural factors, such as societal attitudes towards poverty, the stress related to homelessness itself is more accurately categorized under socioeconomic stressors rather than cultural ones.
Choice C reason:
Developmental stressors are those that occur as part of the normal process of growth and development, such as adolescence or aging. Homelessness is not inherently a developmental issue, although it can impact individuals at any stage of their development.
Choice D reason:
Adventitious stressors are unexpected and arise from events that are not part of everyday life, such as natural disasters or accidents. While homelessness can sometimes result from such events, it is more commonly linked to ongoing socioeconomic challenges rather than sudden, adventitious occurrences.
Correct Answer is ["A"]
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Valproate (Depakote) is a mood stabilizer commonly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. It helps to control manic and mixed episodes and can also prevent the recurrence of these episodes. Valproate works by increasing the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which has a calming effect on nerve activity.
Choice B Reason:
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) is another mood stabilizer that is effective in treating manic episodes in bipolar disorder. It is particularly useful in individuals with rapid cycling bipolar disorder and those who have not responded well to lithium. Carbamazepine works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain, which also helps to stabilize mood.
Choice C Reason:
Lithium (Eskalith) is one of the most well-known and frequently prescribed medications for bipolar disorder. It is effective in reducing the severity and frequency of mania and may also help to alleviate or prevent bipolar depression. Lithium is thought to work by stabilizing the cell membranes and influencing the synthesis and release of certain neurotransmitters.
Non-Selected Choices Reason:
Donepezil (Aricept) is not used for bipolar disorder; it is used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Paroxetine (Paxil) is an SSRI antidepressant that may be used to treat depressive episodes in bipolar disorder, but it is not a primary treatment for bipolar disorder itself and must be used cautiously to avoid inducing mania.
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