have extrapyramidal side effects, and these side
effects were often severe. New antipsychotic drugs
known as second-generation or atypical antipsy-
chotics were developed and came into use in the
mid-20th century to treat patients more effectively
(Julien, 2008).
These second-generation antipsychotic medi-
cines are better tolerated and have a reduced risk
forextrapyramidalsideeffects.Whileatypicaldrugs
are better tolerated, they can increase the potential
for metabolic changes, which can lead to the
development of diabetes in some individuals.
Throughoutthisarticle,first-andsecond-generation
antipsychotics are referred to as “typical” and
“atypical” antipsychotics, respectively. The purpose
of this article is to present a contemporary
perspective related to the nursing care of clients
treated with atypical antipsychotics and who have a
risk of developing metabolic change and/or Type 2
diabetes. The importance of such a discussion is to
provide both the novice and the experienced nurse
with additional knowledge of this current health
issue with which to inform their nursing practice.