Since the initiation of an antipsychotic drug, a patient complains of light-headedness and dizziness upon standing. Select the most appropriate comment the nurse can offer the patient
a. "This is an unfortunate and permanent effect of this class of drugs."
b. "Get up slowly. Tolerance to this effect should develop in 2 to 3 months."
c. "The drug must be discontinued immediately to avoid injury."
d. "We need to increase your fluid intake, which should fix the problem."
ANS: B
Antipsychotic drugs promote orthostatic hypotension, which causes blood pressure to fall when the patient stands because of vasodilation; this results in light-headedness and dizziness. The effect is not permanent and subsides within 2 to 3 months as the patient develops tolerance.
The effects described by the patient are not permanent, and the use of the words "this is an unfortunate…" is nontherapeutic.
The drug does not need to be discontinued. Tolerance to the orthostatic hypotension should develop in 2 to 3 months.
Increasing fluid intake may help, but the most appropriate response from the nurse provides the patient with better information on what to anticipate.
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