An adult patient suddenly cries out. A nurse sees the patient's head twisted to the side, arched back, and the eyes rolled up
The patient has been newly diagnosed with schizophrenia, and therapy with a traditional antipsychotic medication was started yesterday. Based on the nurse's assessment, what would be the next nursing action? a. Obtain the patient's vital signs and pulse oximetry.
b. Administer a PRN dose of diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
c. Administer a PRN dose of haloperidol (Haldol).
d. Obtain a serum drug level and reassure the patient.
B
The patient is displaying symptoms of intense dystonia, a crisis that can occur after administra-tion of an antipsychotic medication. The crisis should be managed with a dose of diphenhydra-mine.
Vital signs may be obtained after the initial management of the physiological crisis.
Haloperidol is not indicated for the treatment of acute dystonia; in fact, it is an adverse effect of haloperidol.
Obtaining a serum drug level is not an immediate concern.
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