Question

question: 21 of 60

a nurse is providing teaching to a client who has schizophrenia and is to begin taking haloperidol. which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

• \you can stop taking the medication if the adverse effects are bothersome.\
• \you may experience dizziness upon standing while taking this medication.\
• \this medication may cause excessive salivation.\
• \this medication will decrease your symptoms of ocd.\

Explanation:

Analyze the medication and its classification

Using the Antipsychotic Pharmacology and Schizophrenia Management knowledge points

• Haloperidol is a high-potency first-generation (typical) antipsychotic medication.
• It is primarily used to manage positive symptoms of schizophrenia by blocking dopamine \(D_2\) receptors.

Evaluate the clinical effects and side effects

Using the Antipsychotic Pharmacology knowledge point

• Haloperidol commonly causes cardiovascular side effects, including orthostatic hypotension.
• Orthostatic hypotension leads to peripheral vasodilation, causing dizziness or lightheadedness upon standing.
• Anticholinergic side effects of typical antipsychotics include dry mouth (xerostomia) rather than excessive salivation.
• Haloperidol is not indicated for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Abrupt cessation of antipsychotics can lead to withdrawal symptoms or rapid relapse of psychotic symptoms.

Determine the correct teaching instruction

Using the Antipsychotic Pharmacology knowledge point

• Patients must be instructed to change positions slowly to prevent falls from orthostatic hypotension.
• Stopping the medication abruptly is unsafe and should be discouraged.
• The correct option is: "You may experience dizziness upon standing while taking this medication."

Answer:

• "You can stop taking the medication if the adverse effects are bothersome."
• "You may experience dizziness upon standing while taking this medication." (Correct answer)
• "This medication may cause excessive salivation."
• "This medication will decrease your symptoms of OCD."