The camp nurse has been called to the field outside the recreation center. As the nurse arrives, there is a large crowd that begins to separate. The nurse notes that one of the campers is lying on the ground, and the campers arms and legs are thrashing back and forth. The nurse also notes a small cut above the campers right eye. The nurse recognizes the camper as one who comes to see her every day for medication administration, and the nurse remembers that the medication the camper takes is carbamazepine (Tegretol). As the nurse moves closer, she also sees two of the counselors preparing to attempt to restrain the camper.
1. What is the nurses initial response?
Part II
A 65-year-old patient with a 2-year history of PD has been experiencing an increase in symptoms, especially muscle tremors and rigidity. The patient has been taking carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet CR) and selegiline (Eldepryl) since diagnosis. The physician has chosen to add benztropine (Cogentin) to the patients medication regimen. The nurse is administering the first dose of benztropine and intends to provide patient teaching about the drug and its side effects.
- An indication that the addition of benztropine is effective in this patient would be relief of which PD symptom?
Part III
The patient is a 54-year-old man with a history of schizophrenia. The patient was started on haloperidol (Haldol) 6 months ago. Today the patients family calls the clinic to discuss symptoms that have occurred more frequently over the past 2 weeks. The family describes that the patient has had stiffness, a shuffling gait, hand tremors, and a delay in response to questions.
- What advice will the nurse offer to the family?