A client is prescribed haloperidol decanoate (Haldol LA) IM to be administered once a month for treatment of schizophrenia. The nurse will instruct the client to notify the health care provider for which manifestation?

Question

1. Involuntary, unusual tongue and face movements, such as lip smacking or rapid eye blinking
2. Nausea, sometimes accompanied with vomiting
3. Weight gain of 5 pounds or more in 2 weeks
4. Constipation and dry mouth

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Unusual tongue and face movements are signs of tardive dyskinesia, and if the medication is not discontinued immediately, the symptoms could persist for months or years.
Rationale 2: Nausea and vomiting are common side effects. The health care provider would not need to be notified unless the vomiting is severe enough to cause dehydration and/or interruption in the client's lifestyle.
Rationale 3: Weight gain is an undesirable side effect but does not need to be reported immediately to the health care provider.
Rationale 4: The client can be taught to change dietary habits and increase fluid intake for constipation and to suck on sugarless hard candy for the dry mouth.
Global Rationale: Unusual tongue and face movements are signs of tardive dyskinesia, and if the medication is not discontinued immediately, the symptoms could persist for months or years. Nausea and vomiting are common side effects. The health care provider would not need to be notified unless the vomiting is severe enough to cause dehydration and/or interruption in the client's lifestyle. Weight gain is an undesirable side effect but does not need to be reported immediately to the health care provider. The client can be taught to change dietary habits and increase fluid intake for constipation and to suck on sugarless hard candy for the dry mouth.