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A nurse is caring for a patient 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. Shuffling gait
b. Hypotension
c. Decreased WBC count
d. Blurred vision

User Hongshuwei
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

A shuffling gait in a patient taking conventional antipsychotic medication indicates a movement disorder side effect, for which benzotropine should be administered to alleviate symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The issue in question relates to a patient with schizophrenia who is experiencing a side effect from a conventional antipsychotic medication. The side effect presented is a shuffling gait, which is a Parkinson's disease-like symptom. This side effect can occur due to the decreased dopamine neurotransmission caused by the antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia. Among the given options, a shuffling gait indicates that the nurse should administer benzotropine 2 mg IM. Benztropine is an anticholinergic drug that helps alleviate extrapyramidal symptoms such as a shuffling gait, which is a movement disorder potential side effect from antipsychotic medication.

User Oliver Nybroe
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