Word parts
What it means
Involuntary movements of the face, tongue, arms, legs or trunk. They can be a side effect of long-term levodopa for Parkinson diseasePAR-kin-sun dih-ZEEZA slowly worsening brain disease in which the nerve cells that help control movement die off.Full entry , and of antipsychotic drugs, when the face and mouth are affected most (tardive dyskinesia). The movements often get worse with stress and stop during sleep.
For the nurse
Describe what moves, how often and when, and report new movements in a client taking antipsychotics or levodopa. Screening tools such as the AIMS (Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale) are used for clients on antipsychotics. Check that the movements do not stop the client from eating or swallowing safely.
In a chart
"Lip smacking and tongue thrusting noted; client has taken haloperidol for 6 years."
At a glance
| Spanish | discinesia |
|---|---|
| Also written | dyskinesias |
Related terms
dys-
A word beginning that means difficult, painful or not working normally.
Parkinson disease
A slowly worsening brain disease in which the nerve cells that help control movement die off.
tremor
Shaking of a part of the body, such as the hands, in small rhythmic movements that the person cannot control.
tardive dyskinesia
A movement disorder with repeated movements a person cannot control, most often of the face, lips and tongue.