The nurse at the adult outpatient clinic plans to use the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale to
examine a client who has taken typical antipsychotic medication (chlorpromazine, haloperidol) over
a period of several years.
The purpose of this examination is to detect
a. neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
b. anticholinergic side effects.
c. tardive dyskinesia.
d. akathisia.
C
The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale is a tool used to detect symptoms of tardive dyskinesia,
a serious, often irreversible side effect of typical antipsychotic medication use. Early detection and
changing to an atypical antipsychotic medication can prevent worsening of the symptoms. Clients
with severe mental illness should be monitored regularly for signs of medication side effects. This
scale is not useful for detecting neuroleptic malignant syndrome, anticholinergic side effects, or
akathisia.
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