When a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia was discharged 6 months ago, haloperidol was prescribed. The patient now says, "I stopped taking those pills. They made me feel like a robot." What are common side effects the nurse should validate with the patient?
Sedation and muscle stiffness
Headache, watery eyes, and runny nose
Mild fever, sore throat, and skin rash
Sweating, nausea, and diarrhea
The Correct Answer is A
A. Haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic, commonly causes extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) such as muscle stiffness, rigidity, tremors, and sedation, which can make patients feel “robotic.”
B. Headache, watery eyes, and runny nose are not typical side effects of haloperidol; they are more consistent with allergy or upper respiratory symptoms.
C. Mild fever, sore throat, and skin rash could indicate a serious reaction such as agranulocytosis, which is rare and more common with atypical antipsychotics like clozapine.
D. Sweating, nausea, and diarrhea are not primary side effects of haloperidol; they may occur with other medications or conditions but are not typical EPS.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Social support is important for overall risk formulation and safety planning, but it is not the immediate priority when assessing imminent danger.
B. Financial and educational status may contribute to chronic stress and long-term risk, but they do not determine immediate lethality or imminence.
C. The availability of means and the lethality of the chosen method are the most urgent factors to assess because they directly influence the likelihood that an attempt will result in death. Removing or restricting access to lethal means is a high-priority, evidence-based safety intervention.
D. Insight into motivation helps guide treatment and psychotherapy, but it does not supersede immediate safety concerns about access to lethal methods.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Respecting confidentiality is important, but the nurse has a legal and ethical duty to report child abuse, even if the patient discloses it in confidence.
B. Filing a report with the ethics committee does not fulfill the mandatory reporting requirement for child abuse.
C. The nurse must report suspected or disclosed child abuse to the appropriate child protection agency, even if the patient is now in rehabilitation. Anonymity may be used if allowed, but reporting is legally required.
D. Reassuring the patient about comfort in sharing does not address the immediate need to protect the child and fulfill mandatory reporting obligations.
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