The patient is receiving risperidone (Risperdal). During morning assessment, the nurse notes that ...

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome includes symptoms of elevated temperature, unstable blood pressure, profuse sweating, dyspnea, muscle rigidity, and incontinence. Patients with acute urinary infections do run elevated temperatures; however, when the patient is receiving an antipsychotic drug and runs an elevated temperature, neuroleptic malignant syndrome must always be suspected. Patients with bacterial pneumonias do run elevated temperatures; however, when the patient is receiving an antipsychotic drug and runs an elevated temperature, neuroleptic malignant syndrome must always be suspected. An elevated temperature is not an extrapyramidal side effect.

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