The patient is receiving risperidone (Risperdal). During morning assessment, the nurse notes that the patient has a temperature of 102 degrees F. What is the priority nursing intervention?

Question

1. Contact the physician, as this could be a symptom of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
2. Contact the physician, as this could be a symptom of an acute urinary infection.
3. Contact the physician, as this could be a symptom of a bacterial pneumonia.
4. Contact the physician, as this could be a symptom of extrapyramidal side effects.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome includes symptoms of elevated temperature, unstable blood pressure, profuse sweating, dyspnea, muscle rigidity, and incontinence. Patients with acute urinary infections do run elevated temperatures; however, when the patient is receiving an antipsychotic drug and runs an elevated temperature, neuroleptic malignant syndrome must always be suspected. Patients with bacterial pneumonias do run elevated temperatures; however, when the patient is receiving an antipsychotic drug and runs an elevated temperature, neuroleptic malignant syndrome must always be suspected. An elevated temperature is not an extrapyramidal side effect.