Psychotic Disorders no. 4071
QUESTION: The nurse is providing care for a female client with a history of schizophrenia who's experiencing hallucinations. The physician orders 200 mg of haloperidol (Haldol) orally or I.M. every 4 hours as needed. What is the nurse's best action?
✘O a.) Administer the haloperidol orally if the client agrees to take it.
✘O b.) Call the physician to clarify whether the haloperidol should be given orally or I.M.
✓O c.) Call the physician to clarify the order because the dosage is too high.
✘O d.) Withhold haloperidol because it may worsen hallucinations.
RATIONALERATIONALE: The dosage is too high (normal dosage ranges from 5 to 10 mg daily). Options 1 and 2 may lead to an overdose. Option 4 is incorrect because haloperidol helps with symptoms of hallucinations.NURSING PROCESS STEP: ImplementationCLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Physiological integrityCLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: Pharmacological and parenteral therapiesCOGNITIVE LEVEL: Application