A client prescribed haloperidol (Haldol) is not demonstrating an improvement of psychotic behavior after taking the medication for 5 days. The nurse would anticipate which dose change for the medication?

Question

1. No changes are necessary, as it might take 2–4 weeks for significant improvement to be noted.
2. The dose of Haldol might be increased.
3. The order for Haldol might be discontinued.
4. Xanax might be added to improve the symptoms of psychotic behavior.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The pharmacotherapy of psychosis is a long-term process, with symptoms resolving gradually. It could take 2–4 weeks before a significant change in behavior is noted.
Rationale 2: Haldol is a high-potency drug that controls symptoms in small doses. Increasing the dose would cause severe side effects.
Rationale 3: The Haldol has not been taken long enough to warrant discontinuation, and there is no information indicating that it should be discontinued due to side effects.
Rationale 4: The addition of a benzodiazepine would cause added CNS depression.
Global Rationale: The pharmacotherapy of psychosis is a long-term process, with symptoms resolving gradually. It could take 2–4 weeks before a significant change in behavior is noted. Haldol is a high-potency drug that controls symptoms in small doses. Increasing the dose would cause severe side effects. The Haldol has not been taken long enough to warrant discontinuation, and there is no information indicating that it should be discontinued due to side effects. The addition of a benzodiazepine would cause added CNS depression.