Author Question: An adolescent with schizophrenia has been refusing to take his medications on a daily schedule. The ... (Read 74 times)

haleyc112 · **on:** Jun 27, 2018

An adolescent with schizophrenia has been refusing to take his medications on a daily schedule. The visiting nurse knows that it is important for medications to be taken to maintain a normal, balanced life.

The visiting nurse discusses treatment options with the doctor. The best solution for this patient would be: 1. Inpatient therapy.
2. Daily in-home visits.
3. Risperdal Consta.
4. Seroquel.

Question 2

Which of the following, if any, are legitimate interventions for transitioning an adolescent to an autonomous adult health-care consumer?

1. Involving the adolescent in providing some of his own medical history.
2. Having the adolescent make his own appointments and make sure he doesn't run out of his asthma medicines.
3. Discussing the results of his laboratory tests with the adolescent before informing his parents.
4. All of the above

scottmt · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

3
Feedback
1. The refusal of medication is not a reason for inpatient therapy and may cause more resentment for treatment.
2. Daily home visits may not be well received by the adolescent, causing further refusal for the daily medication.
3. Risperdal Consta only needs to be taken every two weeks and may help the adolescent exhibit more compliance than with the daily medication.
4. Seroquel is a daily mediation and could increase resistance to taking medications.

Answer to Question 2

4
Feedback
1. Appropriate care should allow for the adolescent to speak on his/her own behalf.
2. The adolescent is not of an age to make his/her own appointments. This is a required task of a legal guardian.
3. The information should be shared with the parents and the adolescent at the same time.
4. All of these are appropriate, but should be discussed with the adolescent and his parents before implementation. They need to know rationale and any limitations/backup plans.