Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and began taking a conventional antipsychotic medication yesterday. Which of the following findings indicates the nurse should administer benzotropine 2 mg IM?

A) Increased white blood cell count
B) Muscle rigidity and tremors
C) Elevated serum cholesterol levels
D) Decreased blood pressure

Answer 1

The nurse should administer benzotropine 2 mg IM if the client displays muscle rigidity and tremors, which are side effects of typical antipsychotic medications.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and began taking a conventional antipsychotic medication yesterday, the nurse should administer benzotropine 2 mg IM if the client shows signs of muscle rigidity and tremors.

These symptoms are indicative of extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) that are common with typical antipsychotics due to their dopamine-blocking effects in the basal ganglia of the brain. Benzotropine, an anticholinergic medication, can help counteract these side effects. Therefore, the correct answer is B) Muscle rigidity and tremors, as benzotropine is not used to treat increased white blood cell count, elevated serum cholesterol levels, or decreased blood pressure, which are not related to EPS.