A family member asks why a schizophrenic client is receiving chlorpromazine and benztropine. What is the best nurse response?

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Multiple Choice

A family member asks why a schizophrenic client is receiving chlorpromazine and benztropine. What is the best nurse response?

Antipsychotics like chlorpromazine can disrupt dopamine signaling in the basal ganglia, leading to extrapyramidal side effects such as tremors, rigidity, slowed movements, and restlessness. Benztropine is an anticholinergic used to counteract these effects by reducing acetylcholine activity, helping to rebalance the neurotransmitters and relieve EPS. That is why the combination is given—to treat the side effects produced by the chlorpromazine, not to boost its efficacy or address other conditions. The other options don’t fit: the goal isn’t to enable smaller doses, nor to treat hiccups in this context, and agranulocytosis is not a typical concern with chlorpromazine, nor is benztropine used to prevent it.

Antipsychotics like chlorpromazine can disrupt dopamine signaling in the basal ganglia, leading to extrapyramidal side effects such as tremors, rigidity, slowed movements, and restlessness. Benztropine is an anticholinergic used to counteract these effects by reducing acetylcholine activity, helping to rebalance the neurotransmitters and relieve EPS. That is why the combination is given—to treat the side effects produced by the chlorpromazine, not to boost its efficacy or address other conditions. The other options don’t fit: the goal isn’t to enable smaller doses, nor to treat hiccups in this context, and agranulocytosis is not a typical concern with chlorpromazine, nor is benztropine used to prevent it.

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