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?
Mostly cloudy
Constipation
Dry mouth
Daytime drowsiness
Muscle stiffness
The Correct Answer is E
Rationale:
A. Mostly cloudy: This is an unclear statement. It is not related to a physical manifestation that would result from haloperidol overdose.
B. Constipation: Although haloperidol can cause constipation as a side effect, it is not the most urgent concern. Other manifestations are more immediately life-threatening.
C. Dry mouth: Dry mouth is a common side effect of antipsychotics, but it is not life-threatening and would not be the priority assessment in the case of a medication overdose.
D. Daytime drowsiness: Sedation is a known side effect of haloperidol, but it is not the priority in this scenario where an overdose occurred.
E. Muscle stiffness: Muscle stiffness may indicate extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) or neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), both of which are serious and potentially life-threatening side effects of haloperidol, especially in cases of overdose. Assessing for these symptoms is the priority.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Bradycardia: Albuterol can cause an increase in heart rate (tachycardia) as a common side effect, not a decrease in heart rate, so bradycardia would not be expected.
B. Wheezing: Albuterol is used to relieve wheezing by causing bronchodilation, so continued wheezing after administration would suggest ineffective treatment rather than being an expected finding.
C. Tremors: Tremors are a common side effect of albuterol due to its stimulation of beta-2 receptors in the muscles. This is often seen after nebulizer treatments.
D. Sleepiness: Albuterol generally causes stimulation of the central nervous system, leading to restlessness or nervousness, not sleepiness.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Abbreviate "daily" as "QD": The abbreviation "QD" is no longer recommended because it can be confused with "QID" (four times daily), potentially leading to dangerous medication errors.
B. Abbreviate "by mouth" as "PO": "PO" is the standard and accepted abbreviation for "by mouth," and it is widely used in medical documentation without ambiguity.
C. Abbreviate "acetaminophen" as "APAP": "APAP" is not universally recognized and may lead to confusion. Using the full name of the drug "acetaminophen" is safer and clearer.
D. Abbreviate "at bedtime" as "qhs": "Qhs" is discouraged as it can be easily misinterpreted. Writing "at bedtime" without abbreviations is the recommended practice to avoid errors.