Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam

What does a positive AIMS assess in patients?

1. Oral facial movements and extremity movements

2. Trunk movements and judgement related to symptoms

3. Dental and denture status

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: Oral facial movements and extremity movements

A positive AIMS, or Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, primarily assesses oral-facial movements and extremity movements in patients. This tool is specifically designed to evaluate abnormal involuntary movements, which can be indicative of medication-related side effects, particularly with antipsychotic drugs. The scale helps identify symptoms such as lip smacking, tongue protrusion, and abnormal limb movements, all of which are critical for diagnosing conditions like tardive dyskinesia. While trunk movements and judgment related to symptoms are important aspects of a comprehensive assessment, they are not the primary focus of the AIMS. Additionally, although dental and denture status can be relevant in some contexts of patient care, they do not fall under the scope of what the AIMS measures. Thus, the primary emphasis on oral-facial and extremity movements makes the first choice the best representation of what a positive AIMS assesses in patients.