Author Question: A health care provider considers which antipsychotic medication to prescribe for a patient with ... (Read 59 times)

shofmannx20 · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A health care provider considers which antipsychotic medication to prescribe for a patient with schizophrenia who has auditory hallucinations and poor social functioning. The patient is also overweight and has hypertension.

Which drug should the nurse advocate?

a. clozapine (Clozaril)
b. ziprasidone (Geodon)
c. olanzapine (Zyprexa)
d. aripiprazole (Abilify)

Question 2

A patient with schizophrenia tells the nurse, I eat skiller. Tend to end. Easter. It blows away. Get it? Select the nurse's best response.

a. Nothing you are saying is clear.
b. Your thoughts are very disconnected.
c. Try to organize your thoughts, and then tell me again.
d. I am having difficulty understanding what you are saying.

Smiles0805 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is effective against both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. It causes little or no weight gain and no increase in glucose, high- or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, or triglycerides, making it a reasonable choice for a patient with obesity or heart disease. Clozapine may produce agranulocytosis, making it a poor choice as a first-line agent. Ziprasidone may prolong the QT interval, making it a poor choice for a patient with cardiac disease. Olanzapine fosters weight gain.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
When a patient's speech is loosely associated, confused, and disorganized, pretending to understand is useless. The nurse should tell the patient that he or she is having difficulty understanding what the patient is saying. If a theme is discernible, ask the patient to talk about the theme. The incorrect options tend to place blame for the poor communication with the patient. The correct response places the difficulty with the nurse rather than being accusatory.