A patient received maintenance doses of fluphenazine decanoate (Prolixin Decanoate) 25 mg IM every 2 weeks for 2 years. The clinic nurse notes the patient is grimacing and seems to be constantly smacking her lips. On the next clinic visit, the patient's neck and shoulders twist in a slow, snakelike motion. The nurse should suspect the presence of ______ and should ______.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step 1: The patient is showing signs of abnormal movements like lip smacking, grimacing, and snakelike motions, which are indicative of tardive dyskinesia (TD).
Step 2: TD is a side effect of long-term antipsychotic use, such as fluphenazine decanoate.
Step 3: The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale is a validated tool to assess the severity of TD.
Step 4: Administering the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale will help confirm the diagnosis of TD.
Step 5: Prompt recognition of TD is crucial as it may be irreversible and can worsen over time if not addressed.
Summary:
- A: Agranulocytosis is a condition characterized by low white blood cell count, not related to the patient's symptoms.
- C: Tourette's syndrome presents with different symptoms and requires specialized evaluation.
- D: Anticholinergic effects do not typically manifest as the described