PSYCHIATRIC NURSING

Prometheus is admitted to the inpatient unit of the mental health center with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. He's shouting that the government of France is trying to assassinate him. Which of the following responses is most appropriate?

"I find it hard to believe that a foreign government or anyone else is trying to hurt you. You must feel frightened by this."

Orly, a client with borderline personality disorder becomes angry when he is told that today's psychotherapy session with the nurse will be delayed 30 minutes because of an emergency. When the session finally begins, the client expresses anger. Which response by the nurse would be most helpful in dealing with the client's anger?

"You had to wait. Can we talk about how this is making you feel right now?"

The nurse is caring for Guy, a client with schizophrenia who experiences auditory hallucinations. The client appears to be listening to someone who isn't visible. He gestures, shouts angrily, and stops shouting in mid-sentence. Which nursing intervention is the most appropriate?

Acknowledge that the client is hearing voices but make it clear that the nurse doesn't hear these voices.

Lhoy, a client receiving haloperidol (Haldol) complains of a stiff jaw and difficulty swallowing. The nurse's first action is to:

Administer as needed dose of benztropine (Cogentin) I.M. as ordered.

Jiffery, a client with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia comments to the nurse, "How do I know what is really in those pills?" Which of the following is the best response?

Allow him to open the individual wrappers of the medication.

Propranolol (Inderal) is used in the mental health setting to manage which of the following conditions?

Antipsychotic-induced akathisia and anxiety

Violet, a client with catatonic schizophrenia is mute, can't perform activities of daily living, and stares out the window for hours. What is the nurse's first priority?

Assist the client with feeding.

Yesterday, James, a client with schizophrenia began treatment with haloperidol (Haldol). Today, the nurse notices that the client is holding his head to one side and complaining of neck and jaw spasms. What should the nurse do?

Evaluate the client for adverse reactions to haloperidol.

The nurse knows that the physician has ordered the liquid form of the drug chlorpromazine (Thorazine) rather than the tablet form because the liquid:

Has a more predictable onset of action

Mai-mai, a client tells the nurse that the television newscaster is sending a secret message to her. The nurse suspects the client is experiencing: a. a delusion.

Ideas of reference.

How soon after chlorpromazine (Thorazine) administration should the nurse expect to see a client's delusional thoughts and hallucinations eliminated?

Several weeks 9. Lhoy, a client rec

Seng, a 24-year-old client is experiencing an acute schizophrenic episode. She has vivid hallucinations that are making him agitated. The nurse's best response at this time would be to:

explore the content of the hallucinations.

Ruth, a client begins taking haloperidol (Haldol). After a few days, she experiences severe tonic contractures of muscles in the neck, mouth, and tongue. The nurse should recognize this as:

focusing on emotional content

Ed, a psychotic client reports to the evening nurse that the day nurse put something suspicious in his water with his medication. The nurse replies, "You're worried about your medication?" The nurse's communication is:

focusing on emotional content.

Alvin, a client with paranoid schizophrenia has been experiencing auditory hallucinations for many years. One approach that has proven to be effective for hallucinating clients is to:

practice saying "Go away" or "Stop" when they hear voices

Ofel, a client with paranoid type schizophrenia becomes angry and tells the nurse to leave her alone. The nurse should:

tell her that she'll leave for now but will return soon.