A patient is administered chlorpromazine for acute psychosis. The nurse should be alert for which potential side effect?
Explanation
• Chlorpromazine (Thorazine), like most typical antipsychotics, can cause extrapyramidal side effects such as tardive dyskinesia, akathisia, and dystonia.
Extrapyramidal side effects include the following:
• Tardive dyskinesia refers to the spasmodic jerky movements of the tongue, lips, and face, though the back, extremities, and fingers may also be affected.
• Akathisia is motor restlessness, a distressing symptom in which the patient feels unable to be still. It may present as tension or acute anxiety.
• Parkinsonism is rigidity and tremor that causes the hallmark shuffling gait.
• Dystonia is continuous muscle spasms and contractions.
• Incorrect: Serotonin syndrome and hypertensive crisis have not been associated with the use of typical antipsychotics.
• Incorrect: Cerebral edema has been reported with the use of Thorazine, but this side effect is not common.