Long-term use of certain antipsychotics may lead to which movement disorder?

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The correct answer is tardive dyskinesia, which is a movement disorder that can develop after long-term use of certain antipsychotic medications. This condition is characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements, often affecting the face, lips, tongue, and sometimes other parts of the body. The condition arises due to the neurochemical changes in the brain caused by prolonged exposure to antipsychotics, particularly dopamine receptor antagonists.

In contrast, akathisia refers to a state of restlessness and an urgent need to be in constant motion, while psychomotor agitation entails excessive moment and unintentional movements often linked to anxiety or agitation, rather than a direct result of antipsychotic medication. Dystonia involves sustained muscle contractions and can be an acute reaction to antipsychotics, but it does not typically develop as a long-term consequence of medication use. Thus, of the options presented, tardive dyskinesia is the movement disorder most commonly associated with the long-term use of antipsychotics.

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