Question

A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with acute onset of schizophrenia. His physician orders the phenothiazine chlorpromazine, 100 mg by mouth four times per day. Before administering the drug, a nurse reviews the client's medication history. Concomitant use of which drug is likely to increase the risk of extrapyramidal effects?

A. Guanethidine
B. Droperidol
C. Lithium carbonate
D. Alcohol

Answer 1

The drug likely to increase the risk of extrapyramidal effects when used concomitantly with chlorpromazine in a patient with schizophrenia is droperidol, due to its similar dopamine antagonist effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client admitted with acute onset of schizophrenia has been prescribed the antipsychotic medication chlorpromazine, which is known for its neuroleptic properties. This medication works by blocking dopamine receptors, which is crucial in reducing symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions in schizophrenia patients. However, its action of decreasing dopamine neurotransmission can lead to side effects similar to Parkinson's disease, known as extrapyramidal effects. An important consideration when administering chlorpromazine is its potential interaction with other drugs, which could increase the risk of extrapyramidal effects. Concomitant use of droperidol, another antipsychotic with similar dopamine antagonist effects, is likely to increase this risk. Whereas other drugs like guanethidine, lithium carbonate, and alcohol may have different interactions, droperidol's direct effect on dopamine neurotransmission potentiates the likelihood of these movement-related side effects when used with chlorpromazine.