A nurse on a mental health unit observes a diagnosed schizophrenic patient on antipsychotics having an impaired gait and uncontrollable tremors. The nurse should recognize that which of the following adverse effects may be occurring?
Tardive dyskinesia.
Acute dystonia.
Pseudoparkinsonism.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is choice C. Pseudoparkinsonism.
Choice A rationale:
Tardive dyskinesia is a long-term side effect of antipsychotic medications characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements, often around the mouth, such as lip-smacking, tongue protrusion, and chewing movements. It does not typically present with impaired gait and tremors.
Choice B rationale:
Acute dystonia involves sudden, severe muscle contractions, often affecting the neck, face, and back. Symptoms include twisting movements and abnormal postures, but it does not usually cause impaired gait and tremors.
Choice C rationale:
Pseudoparkinsonism is an adverse effect of antipsychotic medications that mimics the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including bradykinesia (slowness of movement), rigidity, tremors, and postural instability. The impaired gait and uncontrollable tremors observed by the nurse are characteristic signs of pseudoparkinsonism.
Choice D rationale:
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare but life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic medications. It presents with symptoms such as high fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic dysfunction (e.g., unstable blood pressure, sweating). It does not typically present with impaired gait and tremors.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D: Continuous worry about the undiagnosed presence of an illness.
Choice A rationale:
Sudden unexplained loss of peripheral sensation is not typically associated with illness anxiety disorder. This symptom may be indicative of a neurological condition and would require further medical evaluation to determine the cause.
Choice B rationale:
Obsession over a fictitious defect in physical appearance is more characteristic of body dysmorphic disorder, not illness anxiety disorder. Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder are preoccupied with one or more perceived defects or flaws in their physical appearance, which are not observable or appear slight to others.
Choice C rationale:
Having prior physical health followed by the need for two surgeries within the last three months does not necessarily indicate illness anxiety disorder. This choice does not provide enough context to link it to illness anxiety disorder, as it could be related to many other health conditions.
Choice D rationale:
Continuous worry about the undiagnosed presence of an illness is a key finding in illness anxiety disorder. Individuals with this disorder are excessively concerned with and preoccupied by the belief that they have, or are in danger of developing, a serious undiagnosed illness despite medical reassurance.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Circumstantiality refers to a communication pattern where the individual provides excessive, unnecessary details before reaching the point. In this scenario, the patient's response is not characterized by providing excessive details but rather by the use of words that sound alike but have no meaningful connection.
Choice B rationale:
Clang association is a communication pattern where the individual's speech is characterized by rhyming or the repetition of words that sound similar but lack logical connection. The patient's response, "This is a new day in May and I can't wait to play," demonstrates this pattern, as the words "May" and "play" rhyme but don't form a coherent sentence.
Choice C rationale:
Tangentiality refers to a communication pattern where the individual goes off-topic and never returns to the original subject. The patient's response, while seemingly off-topic, is not a clear example of tangentiality, as the words used are related in a rhyming manner rather than being entirely unrelated.
Choice D rationale:
Neologism refers to the creation of new words or phrases that are not part of any recognized language. The patient's response does not involve the creation of entirely new words; instead, it involves the use of existing words that rhyme but lack a coherent connection.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.