If a patient on an antipsychotic develops fever, rigidity, and altered mental status, the nurse should

If a patient on an antipsychotic develops fever, rigidity, and altered mental status, the nurse should

• A. Continue the same treatment
• B. Increase the dose
• C. Notify the physician for possible neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• D. Administer antipyretic only

Answer: (C)

Recognize neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a medical emergency. When a patient taking an antipsychotic develops fever, severe muscle rigidity, and altered mental status, this triad points to NMS rather than a routine drug reaction. Prompt action is essential because delaying treatment can lead to rapid deterioration and complications like rhabdomyolysis, kidney injury, or cardiovascular instability. The nurse’s immediate step is to notify the physician right away so the antipsychotic can be stopped and the patient undergoes rapid assessment and stabilization. Management typically includes stopping the offending medication, initiating aggressive hydration, cooling measures, and close monitoring of vitals and labs (such as CPK and electrolytes). Depending on the physician’s orders, treatments like dantrolene or bromocriptine may be used. Giving analgesics or antipyretics alone does not treat the underlying syndrome and continuing or increasing the antipsychotic would be harmful. Early recognition and urgent intervention markedly improve outcomes.

Recognize neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a medical emergency. When a patient taking an antipsychotic develops fever, severe muscle rigidity, and altered mental status, this triad points to NMS rather than a routine drug reaction. Prompt action is essential because delaying treatment can lead to rapid deterioration and complications like rhabdomyolysis, kidney injury, or cardiovascular instability.

The nurse’s immediate step is to notify the physician right away so the antipsychotic can be stopped and the patient undergoes rapid assessment and stabilization. Management typically includes stopping the offending medication, initiating aggressive hydration, cooling measures, and close monitoring of vitals and labs (such as CPK and electrolytes). Depending on the physician’s orders, treatments like dantrolene or bromocriptine may be used. Giving analgesics or antipyretics alone does not treat the underlying syndrome and continuing or increasing the antipsychotic would be harmful. Early recognition and urgent intervention markedly improve outcomes.