Question

A client diagnosed with bipolar disorder receives haloperidol (Haldol) 2 mg PO tid. The client tells the nurse, "Milk is coming out of my breasts." Which of the following responses by the nurse is BEST?

1) You are seeing things that aren't real.
2) Why don't we go make some fudge?
3) You are experiencing a side effect of Haldol.
4) I'll contact your physician to change your medication.

Answer 1

The correct response is to acknowledge that the client's symptom of galactorrhea is a side effect of Haloperidol, which affects the basal nuclei and the extrapyramidal system due to its influence on dopamine activity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate response to the client's experience of milk discharge, a symptom known as galactorrhea, is to recognize it as a side effect of the medication haloperidol. So the best reply would be: "You are experiencing a side effect of Haldol." Haloperidol can affect the basal nuclei and the extrapyramidal system, influencing the neurotransmitter dopamine's activity. These side effects are known as extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and may include other motor control issues, such as muscle stiffness, tremors, and involuntary movements.

Regarding the neurological regions affected by haloperidol side effects, the basal nuclei are implicated due to their role in motor control and their dopamine-mediated neurochemistry. Haloperidol's impact on dopaminergic activity within these structures can lead to motor disturbances, which is why patients taking this medication might experience symptoms indicative of EPS.