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

The nurse is caring for a client who has been receiving treatment for schizophrenia with chlorpromazine for the past year. It would be essential for the nurse to monitor the client for which of the following?

  • A. Weight loss
  • B. Torticollis
  • C. Hypoglycemia
  • D. Tardive dyskinesia
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Tardive dyskinesia (D), a potentially irreversible side effect of long-term use of typical antipsychotics like chlorpromazine, involves involuntary movements and requires ongoing monitoring. Weight loss (A) is unlikely (weight gain is more common), torticollis (B) is an acute dystonia, and hypoglycemia (C) is not a typical side effect.