The psychiatric nurse is educating an elderly patient and family about antipsychotic drug therapy. When providing this education, the nurse will include which statement(s)? (Select all that apply.)

Question

a. Hallucinations may be reduced within 1 week of starting.
b. Rapid increase in dosages will increase frequency of adverse effects.
c. Older patients should be observed for hypertension.
d. Tardive dyskinesia may be reversible in early stages.
e. Full therapeutic response may require 6 to 8 weeks to be achieved.

Answer 1

ANS: B, D, E
Rapid increases in dosages of antipsychotic medication will not reduce the antipsychotic response time but will increase the frequency of adverse effects. Tardive dyskinesia may be reversible in early stages, but it becomes irreversible with continued use of the antipsychotic medication. Reduction in hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorders often requires 6 to 8 weeks for a full therapeutic response to be achieved. Older patients should be observed for hypotension.