Question

A 59 year old woman with bipolar disorder is receiving haldol 2 mg. She tells the nurse, "milk is coming out of my breasts". Which is the BEST response by the nurse?

1) "This is a common side effect of haldol. We can discuss other medication options if it bothers you."
2) "I'm sorry to hear that. Let me check with the doctor and see if we can adjust your medication."
3) "That's unusual. Are you experiencing any other symptoms?"
4) "I'm not sure what could be causing that. Let me consult with a colleague and get back to you."

Answer 1

The best response by the nurse is to acknowledge that lactation is a common side effect of haldol and to offer to discuss alternative medication options with the patient.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response by the nurse to the 59-year-old woman with bipolar disorder who is experiencing lactation as a side effect of taking haldol (haloperidol) would be, "This is a common side effect of haldol. We can discuss other medication options if it bothers you."

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medication that can influence dopamine activity in the brain, specifically in the basal nuclei, and may lead to extrapyramidal side effects. These side effects can include movement disorders and, due to the drug's effect on the endocrine system, can stimulate the production of prolactin, leading to symptoms such as amenorrhea, galactorrhea (unwanted discharge of milk), and breast enlargement, an effect known as hyperprolactinemia.