A client states “I don’t want to have surgery.” Which of the following is a therapeutic response to the client?

This needle size is appropriate for an intramuscular injection into the deltoid of a 175-pound adult male with a viscous fluid.

The needle length should be long enough to reach the muscle through the subcutaneous tissue, and the needle gauge should be suitable for the viscosity of the fluid. A 23-gauge needle is a common choice for intramuscular injections.

Choice A is wrong because a 1/2 inch needle is too short to reach the deltoid muscle in an adult male.

Choice C is wrong because a 1-1/2 inch needle is too long and may cause injury to the underlying nerves or blood vessels.

Choice D is wrong because a 16-gauge needle is too large and may cause excessive tissue trauma and pain.

This statement suggests that the client needs further teaching because haloperidol is a medication that needs to be taken regularly and consistently to prevent relapse of symptoms related to schizophrenia. Stopping the medication abruptly can cause withdrawal effects and worsen the condition.

Choice B is wrong because it shows that the client understands the potential interaction between alcohol and haloperidol, which can increase the risk of sedation, drowsiness, and low blood pressure.

Choice C is wrong because it indicates that the client has realistic expectations about the onset of action of haloperidol, which can take several days or weeks to show improvement of symptoms.

Choice D is wrong because it demonstrates that the client is aware of the possible side effect of photosensitivity caused by haloperidol, which can make the skin more prone to sunburn and damage.

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic drug that works by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. It is used to treat symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and disorganized thinking in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. The normal dosage range for haloperidol is 0.5 to 20 mg per day, depending on the severity of the condition and the response to treatment. Some of the common side effects of haloperidol include extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), such as muscle stiffness, tremors, restlessness, and abnormal movements; neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which is a rare but serious condition characterized by fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic instability; and tardive dyskinesia (TD), which is a chronic movement disorder that involves involuntary movements of the tongue, lips, face, and limbs. Haloperidol can also cause weight gain, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction.

Haloperidol should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disease, liver disease, seizure disorder, diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction