Comprehensive exams for Mental Health Q 110
When discharging a client after treatment for a dystonic reaction, the emergency department nurse must ensure that the client understands which of the following?
A. Results of treatment are rapid and dramatic but may not last.
B. Although uncomfortable, this reaction isn’t serious.
C. The client shouldn’t buy drugs on the street.
D. The client must take benztropine (Cogentin) as prescribed to prevent a return of symptoms.
Correct Answer: D. The client must take benztropine (Cogentin) as prescribed to prevent a return of symptoms.
An oral anticholinergic agent such as benztropine (Cogentin) is commonly prescribed to control and prevent the return of symptoms. Benztropine is FDA approved as adjunctive therapy of all forms of parkinsonism. It is also useful for drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms and the prevention of dystonic reactions and acute treatment of dystonic reactions. Benztropine antagonizes acetylcholine and histamine receptors. In the CNS and smooth muscles, benztropine exerts its action through competing with acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors. Consequently, it reduces central cholinergic effects by blocking muscarinic receptors that appear to improve the symptoms of Parkinson disease.
Option A: Dystonic reactions are typically acute and reversible. An acute dystonic reaction is characterized by involuntary contractions of muscles of the extremities, face, neck, abdomen, pelvis, or larynx in either sustained or intermittent patterns that lead to abnormal movements or postures. The symptoms may be reversible or irreversible and can occur after taking any dopamine receptor-blocking agents.
Option B: Dystonic reactions can be life-threatening when airway patency is compromised. Anticholinergic agents and benzodiazepines are the most commonly used agents to reverse or reduce symptoms in acute dystonic reaction. Acute dystonic reactions are often transient but can cause significant distress to the patient. Although rare, laryngeal dystonia can cause life-threatening airway obstruction.
Option C: Lecturing the client about buying drugs on the street isn’t appropriate. Antipsychotic and antiemetic agents are among the most commonly described causative agents of acute dystonic reactions. Other agents including anti-malarial, antidepressants, antihistamines, and anticonvulsants have also been implicated in cases of acute dystonic reaction. Antipsychotic agents with a dopamine-blocking mechanism are commonly used to treat acute psychosis, acute agitation, bipolar mania, and many other psychiatric conditions. All currently known antipsychotic medications carry a risk of causing an acute dystonic reaction.