Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition - Schizophrenia and Related Disorders: Nursing Care of Persons with Thought Disorders Related

Review Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition - Schizophrenia and Related Disorders: Nursing Care of Persons with Thought Disorders related questions and content

After assessing a client with schizophrenia, the nurse suspects that the client is experiencing an anticholinergic crisis. Which of the following would the nurse most likely have assessed? Select all that apply.

  • A. Dilated reactive pupils
  • B. Blurred vision
  • C. Ataxia
  • D. Coherent speech
  • E. Facial pallor
  • F. Disorientation
Correct Answer: B,C,F

Rationale: Anticholinergic crisis symptoms include blurred vision (B), ataxia (C), and disorientation (F) due to excessive anticholinergic effects (e.g., from medications). Dilated pupils (A) may occur but are less specific, coherent speech (D) is unlikely, and facial pallor (E) is not typical.