The physician orders haloperidol 5 mg IM stat for a client and tells the nurse that the dose can be repeated in 1-2 hours if needed. The most likely rationale for this order is:

Question

Options

• AThe client will settle down more quickly if he thinks the staff is medicating him
• BThe medication will sedate the client until the physician arrives
• CHaloperidol is a minor tranquilizer and will not oversedate the client
• DRapid neuroleptization is the most effective approach to care for the violent or potentially violent

• A
  2% (1)
• B
  2% (1)
• D
  95% (39)

Explanation

(A) If the client could think logically, he would not be paranoid. In fact, he is probably suspicious of the staff, too. Newly admitted clients frequently experience high levels of anxiety, which can contribute to delusions. (B) The goal of pharmacological intervention is to calm the client and assist with reality-based thinking, not to sedate him. (C) Haloperidol is a neuroleptic and antipsychotic drug, not a minortranquilizer. (D) Haloperidol is a high-potency neuroleptic and first-line choice for rapid neuroleptization, with low potential for sedation.

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