Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome - Essay Example Agranulocytosis is hard to detect and is only visible once the symptoms of the infection start to appear. The symptoms include: mucosal ulcers, sore throat and rising temperatures. Nurses should be aware of these signs and should stop administering of Clozapine at the onset of these symptoms. (Keogh & Doyle 2008) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is another side effect of psychopharmacology. It is ‘an idiosyncratic reaction to neuroleptic medications’ that may be life threatening (Keogh & Doyle 2008). Though it may occur from using any neuroleptic medication, the main culprit is haloperidol. Many clients start developing symptoms of NMS within a two week time frame. The symptoms include: muscular/lead pipe rigidity, changed autonomic functions like blood pressure, increase in white blood cell count, hyperthermia, tremor and change in the mental status of patients. The nurses should be aware of these signs and immediately stop the medication. Intervention of NMS include: use of dopamine to relax muscles, electroconvulsive therapy to reduce NMS and antipyretics like paracetamol to relax the fever. (Keogh & Doyle 2008) Special nursing care is also very important for NMS patients aside from the interventions named above. NMS patients are to be closely monitored to evaluate their mental and physical states, so that in case of a symptom breakout, early intervention is done at the initial stages of the attack. There should be routine checkups and documentations and all forms of anomalies should also be recorded and reported to relevant medical practitioners. Serotonin syndrome is also a side effect. It is a life threatening reaction to excess serotonin, although it occurs rarely. This happens when serotonin is administered with other drugs that affect the serotonergic system, for instance the tricyclic medication. Symptoms include: