The nurse who observes a client prescribed haloperidol who has his head rotated to one side in a
stiff, fixed position with his lower jaw thrust forward and drool coming from his mouth should
intervene by
a. obtaining an order to administer diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 50 mg IM.
b. reassuring the client that the symptoms will subside if he relaxes.
c. administering trihexyphenidyl (Artane) 5 mg orally.
d. administering atropine 2 mg subcutaneously.
A
Diphenhydramine, trihexyphenidyl, benztropine, and other anticholinergic medications may be used
to treat dystonias, but because the client is drooling the nurse must assume swallowing is difficult, if
not impossible. Therefore oral medication is not an option. Medication should be administered
intramuscularly. In this case the option given is diphenhydramine.
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