A nurse observes an older adult client who has been taking antipsychotic medications for 4 years. The nurse sees the client's lips smacking and eyes blinking rapidly. The nurse also observes a protruding tongue. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should document the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, a chronic syndrome caused by long-term use. Asking whether the client has been experiencing side effects would be inappropriate because the client is already exhibiting signs. Contacting the physician for a different medication implies that these effects can be reversed. Tardive dyskinesia is typically irreversible. It is not within the nurse's scope of practice to instruct the client to begin to taper the drug.

A Nurse Observes an Older Adult Client Who Has Been