Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

For a postoperative patient displaying signs of hostility, which medication is likely the best choice?

1. Midazolam (Versed)

2. Haloperidol (Haldol)

3. Propofol (Diprivan)

4. Sertraline (Zoloft)

The correct answer is: Haloperidol (Haldol)

Haloperidol (Haldol) is often the preferred choice in this scenario because it is an antipsychotic medication that is effective in managing acute agitation or hostility. Following surgery, some patients may experience increased anxiety, confusion, or agitation due to pain, medication effects, or psychological responses to the hospital environment. Haloperidol acts by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, providing sedation and reducing aggressive behavior without the depressant effects that can occur with benzodiazepines like midazolam. In this case, midazolam, while effective for sedation and anxiolysis preoperatively or in certain situations, may not be as suitable for managing overt hostility or aggression since it primarily works as a sedative and may exacerbate confusion in some patients. Propofol is also primarily an anesthetic agent used for sedation and does not address the underlying hostility effectively. Sertraline, being an SSRI, is typically used for long-term management of anxiety and depression but is not indicated for acute situations involving hostility or agitation due to its delayed onset of action. Thus, haloperidol stands out as the most appropriate medication for addressing acute agitation and hostility in a postoperative setting where immediate intervention may be necessary.