Author Question: The severity of a client's positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia has not significantly ... (Read 34 times)

segrsyd · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

The severity of a client's positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia has not significantly improved since treatment began, despite the use of three different neuroleptic medications.

The nurse should anticipate that this client may benefit from treatment with which of the following medications?

A) Clozapine (Clozaril)
B) Haloperidol (Haldol)
C) Risperidone (Risperdal)
D) Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

Question 2

A patient in the psychiatric unit of the hospital has a diagnosis of schizophrenia, paranoid type. He has approached the nurse in the hallway of the hospital and is elaborating in great detail about his delusions of persecution involving secret societies,

the Vatican, and the mafia. How should the nurse respond to the patient's expression of his delusions?

A) Do you think that your delusions might be causing you to think this way?
B) That sounds very stressful for you. Would you like to join me and the others in the lounge?
C) What can I do to help you get away from these people that want to get you?
D) Remember that none of this is real and that no one at all is trying to harm you.

pratush dev · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Ans: A
Clozapine (Clozaril) may be used if the client has not responded favorably to the use of two different neuroleptics. It is not normally a drug of first resort, however, due to significant adverse effects.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: B
The most therapeutic response to a client's or patient's delusions is to empathically acknowledge the stress that these delusions may cause and to redirect the conversation in a respectful way. Accusing the person of delusional thinking, acknowledging the reality of the delusions, and trying to convince the person that the delusions are not real are interventions that may provoke rather than relieve symptoms.