A patient taking a psychotropic medication reports, This medicine ...

[stevenposner]

A patient taking a psychotropic medication reports, This medicine isn't working right for me. It's causing side effects. Select the nurse's best comment to further assess the scenario.
 
  a. Has the drug caused diaphoresis?
  b. Have you experienced urinary retention?
  c. Are you experiencing episodes of tachycardia?
  d. Tell me more about how the medication is affecting you.

Question 2

Parents of a mentally ill teenager say, We've never known anyone who was mentally ill. We have no one to talk to because none of our friends understand the problems. The nurse's most helpful intervention would be to
 
  a. refer the parents to a support group.
  b. build their self-esteem as coping parents.
  c. teach techniques of therapeutic communication.
  d. facilitate achievement of normal developmental tasks.

[miss.ashley]

Answer to Question 1

D
Open-ended communication techniques are important strategies for exploring the patient's concerns. It is also important for the nurse to use culturally familiar terms. Patients are unlikely to know the meaning of terms such as tachycardia, diaphoresis, and urinary retention.

Answer to Question 2

A
The need for support can be clearly identified. Referrals are made when working with families whose needs are unmet. A support group such as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) will provide these parents with the support of others who have had similar experiences and with whom they can share feelings and experiences. The distracters are less relevant.