Typical Antipsychotics on the NCLEX
Haloperidol, chlorpromazine, fluphenazine: EPS, NMS, tardive dyskinesia.
First-generation antipsychotics. NCLEX tests EPS, NMS, and tardive dyskinesia.
Common drugs
Haloperidol (Haldol), chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine.
EPS (extrapyramidal symptoms)
Dystonia (acute muscle spasms, diphenhydramine or benztropine). Akathisia (motor restlessness, propranolol). Parkinsonism (rigidity, tremor, anticholinergic).
NMS (neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
Fever, rigidity, autonomic instability, altered mental status. Discontinue. Dantrolene, bromocriptine. ICU.
Tardive dyskinesia
Late-onset involuntary movements (lip smacking, tongue thrusting). Often irreversible. AIMS screening. VMAT2 inhibitors (valbenazine, deutetrabenazine) treat.
Frequently asked
Acute dystonia, treatment?
Diphenhydramine 50 mg IV or benztropine 1-2 mg IV. Resolves quickly.
NMS vs serotonin syndrome?
NMS, rigidity, slow onset, history of antipsychotic. SS, clonus, hyperreflexia, serotonergic drug history.
Quick check
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