Author Question: A patient who has schizoaffective disorder is being treated with lithium carbonate. He repeatedly ... (Read 63 times)

debasdf · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A patient who has schizoaffective disorder is being treated with lithium carbonate. He repeatedly resists his medication based on his fine hand tremors as proof of drug poison-ing.

Which nursing intervention addresses both the patient's need to comply with treatment and patient rights?
a. Informing staff that the patient is exhibiting manipulative behavior
b. Providing the patient with effective education regarding medication side effects
c. Assuring the patient the tremors are a result of the disorder, not of the medication
d. Providing an assessment to determine if the patient is exhibiting paranoia as well

Question 2

A patient has been hospitalized and is now being mandated outpatient mental health treatment as a condition for discharge. Which intervention best addresses the nurse's role of patient advocate when this patient resists the recommendation?

a. Helping the patient identify advantages of outpatient versus inpatient therapy
b. Sharing that outpatient therapy is less expensive than inpatient hospitalization
c. Stressing that outpatient therapy can minimize the need for future hospitalization
d. Discussing the patient's opposition to outpatient treatment with the treatment team

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

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Although the patient has a legal right to refuse medication, medication compliance is vital to successful treatment. Patient and family medication education by nurses and a reassuring therapeutic relationship will greatly assist with medication adherence while preserving the patient's rights. Identifying manipulative behavior or paranoia does not address compliance or patient rights. The assurance about the tremors is not true.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
The purpose of mandating outpatient mental health treatment is to break the cyclic pattern of patients who, when discharged from an inpatient treatment facility, subsequently require re-admission to the acute psychiatric care setting. While the other options reflect the nurse as advocate, they do not best address this patient's situation.