# Stage 2 — Analyze cues. Match each finding with the clinical conclusion it most directly supports.

> source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr)  
> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=568877&lang=en  
> language: en  
> subject: Safety and Infection Prevention and Control  
> category: SIPC

## Question

Stage 2 — Analyze cues. Match each finding with the clinical conclusion it most directly supports.

|  | Dopamine-antagonist exposure | Autonomic instability | NMS motor pattern | Rhabdomyolysis with kidney injury |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Repeated haloperidol followed by a higher scheduled dose |  |  |  |  |
| Temperature 40.2 C with labile blood pressure and diaphoresis |  |  |  |  |
| Generalized lead-pipe rigidity without clonus |  |  |  |  |
| CK 6,800 U/L, myoglobinuria, potassium 5.6, and rising creatinine |  |  |  |  |

## Explanation

Rapid haloperidol escalation establishes dopamine-antagonist exposure, fever with labile pressure demonstrates autonomic instability, lead-pipe rigidity distinguishes NMS from clonus-predominant serotonin toxicity, and high creatine kinase with myoglobinuria and rising creatinine signals rhabdomyolysis with kidney injury.

## In-depth explanation

Quick answer
Connect exposure, autonomic findings, rigidity pattern, and muscle-breakdown complications.

Why this is correct
The diagnostic pattern and downstream injury must both be recognized because hyperkalemia, dysrhythmia, and kidney failure can become immediately life-threatening.

Easy analogy or mental picture
The drug is the trigger, autonomic instability and rigidity identify the syndrome, and dark urine shows the organ damage.

Memory hook
Trigger, unstable, rigid, rhabdo.

NCLEX decision rule
Analyze the motor pattern and medication exposure while simultaneously screening for complications.

Why the other choices are wrong
No single finding explains every column: medication exposure does not measure kidney injury, and creatine kinase does not describe the autonomic pattern.

References
1Haloperidol Prescribing InformationNMS manifestations, rhabdomyolysis and kidney injury, immediate discontinuation, intensive supportive treatment, and recurrence precautions

## Clinical scenario

Case update
The nurse differentiates the syndrome and identifies complications requiring immediate monitoring.

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