MEDizzy - patient with Parkinson disease runs out of her medication

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Infections due to Neisseria and others

patient with Parkinson disease runs out of her medication and does not obtain refills. After 2 days, she develops severe warmth, rigid arms and legs, and diaphoresis. She is brought to the emergency department. Her temperature is 106° F (41.1° C). Which of the following statements regarding this patient is false?

ExplanationThis patient has neuroleptic malignant syndrome, caused by rapid withdrawal of a dopaminergic drug used to treat Parkinson disease (e.g., amantadine or levodopa). Appropriate therapy includes fluid/electrolyte therapy and a trial of dantrolene sodium (a muscle relaxant) or bromocriptine (a dopamine agonist). External cooling is also important early on because the set point has not been altered. Potential complications include the development of rhabdomyolysis and resultant acute failure; there may be liver function abnormalities. Hypernatremia, not hyponatremia, is a typical electrolyte derangement.