Question

A 24-year-old client is being seen in the emergency department because of a high fever and cannot move the right arm. during the history-taking process, the nurse discovers the client is being treated with an antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia. the nurse knows that what may be happening with this client?

Answer 1

In a patient presenting with high fever with neurologic deficits (in this case, the paresis of the right arm), with a significant drug history involving anti-psychotic medications for schizophrenia, the most probable impression will be cause and effect. The patient's presentation may be linked to the intake of antipsychotic medications. In this particular case, there is a phenomenon called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome or NMS. In patients experiencing NMS, the most common set of clinical manifestation include extrapyramidal effects (i.e. paresis of limbs), hyperthermia (i.e. fever), and autonomic disturbances (i.e. urinary and fecal incontinence). This is a rare effect in patient taking antipsychotic drugs such as Aripiprazole. This requires immediate intervention as this is life threatening.

Answer 2

The client may be suffering from a neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) which is a reaction to his antipsychotic medication. NMS is rare but
life-threatening and is characterized by high fever, muscular rigidity(that's why he can't move his arm), altered mental status hyperthermia, and autonomic dysfunction.

Since is life-threatening, it requires immediate treatment.