A charge nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about medication administration.
Which of the following information should the charge nurse include?

The correct answer is **a. Observe for bruising of the skin.**

Choice A rationale: Observing for bruising of the skin is an appropriate nursing intervention when caring for a client receiving alteplase (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator or rt-PA), a thrombolytic medication used to dissolve blood clots. Alteplase can increase the risk of bleeding, including bruising, as it works to break down the clot. Closely monitoring the client for any signs of bleeding or bruising is crucial to identify and manage potential complications.

Choice B rationale: Administering medications intramuscularly is not recommended when a client is receiving alteplase. Intramuscular injections can increase the risk of bleeding and should be avoided, as alteplase can impair the body's ability to form clots and stop bleeding.

Choice C rationale: Monitoring vital signs every 4 hours is not the appropriate frequency for a client receiving alteplase. Vital signs should be monitored more frequently, typically every 30 minutes to 1 hour, to closely observe for any changes that may indicate bleeding or other complications.

Choice D rationale: Providing a diet low in protein is not a necessary intervention for a client receiving alteplase. Alteplase works by targeting the blood clot and does not require specific dietary modifications. The focus should be on monitoring for bleeding and managing any potential complications, rather than adjusting the client's diet.

Choice A rationale:

Weight gain is a common side effect of many antipsychotic medications, including haloperidol. While it is important to monitor for this adverse effect, it is not specifically related to the extrapyramidal symptoms associated with haloperidol use.

Choice B rationale:

Dry mouth is a common anticholinergic side effect of antipsychotic medications like haloperidol. Although it is important to monitor for this adverse effect, it is not specifically related to the extrapyramidal symptoms, such as parkinsonism, associated with haloperidol use.

Choice C rationale:

This is the correct answer. Shuffling gait, or parkinsonism, is an extrapyramidal symptom associated with the use of antipsychotic medications like haloperidol. It is a movement disorder characterized by a shuffling walk, rigidity, and tremors. Recognizing and reporting this symptom promptly is crucial, as it may indicate the development of a serious neurological condition called tardive dyskinesia.

Choice D rationale:

Sedation is a common side effect of haloperidol and other antipsychotic medications. While it is important to monitor for sedation, it is not specifically related to the extrapyramidal symptoms associated with haloperidol use, as described in choice C.