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Professional Technical In the Industry Vocabulary Test

tardive dyskinesia

Pronunciation: TAR-div dis-kih-NEE-zhah

Late-onset movement disorder caused by prolonged use of dopamine-blocking medications.

Full Definition

Tardive dyskinesia is a potentially irreversible neurological side effect that can develop after months or years of treatment with antipsychotic medications or other dopamine receptor blocking agents. It is characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements, typically affecting the face, lips, tongue, and sometimes limbs. The condition poses significant clinical and ethical considerations in psychiatric treatment, requiring careful monitoring and informed consent discussions. Documentation should include detailed descriptions of abnormal movements and their impact on function.

Usage

Usage note: Often abbreviated as TD in clinical notes; ensure proper hyphenation in formal documents.

In Context

  • "The patient developed tardive dyskinesia after five years of haloperidol treatment." — adverse event report
  • "Regular AIMS assessments are required to monitor for tardive dyskinesia in patients on long-term antipsychotics." — treatment protocol

Also known as

TD late-onset dyskinesia

Don't confuse with

acute dystonia parkinsonism akathisia

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