During a psychiatric emergency, a patient is given a traditional antipsychotic drug intramuscularly and placed in seclusion. Over the next 2 hours, which aspect of physical assessment is most important?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A traditional antipsychotic medication administered intramuscularly might produce the marked antiadrenergic side effect of hypotension, thus making blood pressure an important assessment. It may also precipitate cardiac arrhythmias, so monitoring pulse and respirations is important. Decreased urinary output is related to anticholinergic side effects and would not be a priority assessment during the first 2 hours. The AIMS scale assesses for tardive dyskinesia, a late complication of antipsychotic therapy. Temperature assessment is relevant if assessing for neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a complication that develops after several doses of antipsychotic medication.

During a Psychiatric Emergency, a Patient Is Given a Traditional