The patient has been receiving chlorpromazine (Thorazine) for the treatment of schizophrenia. The nurse assesses that the patient has tardive dyskinesia. What findings support this conclusion?

Question

1. Tremor, muscle rigidity, and a shuffling gait
2. Severe muscle spasms of the back, neck, and tongue
3. An inability to rest or relax, and restlessness
4. Unusual facial movements and lip smacking

Answer 1

4
Rationale 1: Tremor, muscle rigidity, and a shuffling gait are known as parkinsonism, not tardive dyskinesia.
Rationale 2: Severe muscle spasms of the back, neck, and tongue are known as acute dystonia, not tardive dyskinesia.
Rationale 3: An inability to rest or relax and restlessness are known as akathisia, not tardive dyskinesia.
Rationale 4: Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by unusual tongue and face movements, such as lip smacking, and wormlike motions of the tongue.
Global Rationale: Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by unusual tongue and face movements, such as lip smacking, and wormlike motions of the tongue. Severe muscle spasms of the back, neck, and tongue are known as acute dystonia, not tardive dyskinesia. An inability to rest or relax and restlessness are known as akathisia, not tardive dyskinesia. Tremor, muscle rigidity, and a shuffling gait are known as parkinsonism, not tardive dyskinesia.