Psychotic Disorders no. 4046
QUESTION: What medication would probably be ordered for the acutely aggressive schizophrenic client?
✘O a.) chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
✓O b.) haloperidol (Haldol)
✘O c.) lithium carbonate (Lithonate)
✘O d.) amitriptyline (Elavil)
RATIONALERATIONALE: Haloperidol administered I.M. or I.V. is the drug of choice for acute aggressive psychotic behavior. Chlorpromazine is also an antipsychotic drug; however, it causes more pronounced sedation than haloperidol. Lithium carbonate is useful in bipolar or manic disorder, and amitriptyline is used for depression.NURSING PROCESS STEP: ImplementationCLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Physiological integrityCLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: Pharmacological and parenteral therapiesCOGNITIVE LEVEL: Knowledge
