A psychotic patient is admitted through the emergency department. The physician has ordered chlorpromazine (Thorazine) 25 mg intramuscularly. After administration of the medication, what is the nurse's priority to evaluate?

Question

A) The patient's ability to ambulate
B) Return of the patient's appetite
C) A decrease in psychotic symptoms
D) Blood pressure and pulse

Answer 1

C
Feedback:
The nurse will evaluate the effectiveness of the drug in diminishing psychotic symptoms because this is the purpose of administering the drug. Monitoring blood pressure, pulse, and appetite is part of all patient care but is not the priority evaluation criterion for this patient. The ability to ambulate and maintain adequate nutrition would be assessed but is not the priority evaluation for this patient.