Age Specific Patient Care Related

Review Age Specific Patient Care related questions and content

A client who has been diagnosed as having paranoid schizophrenia is highly suspicious and delusional. He hears voices telling him terrorists are plotting to assassinate him. He refuses to eat, saying the food is poisoned. The nursing action that best addresses his needs is to:

  • A. Explain that others eat the food and are not harmed
  • B. Allow client to select food from vending machines
  • C. Assist client with personal hygiene and grooming
  • D. Not allow client to verbalize delusional thoughts
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Allow client to select food from vending machines. This option respects the client's autonomy and addresses his specific delusion of food being poisoned. By allowing the client to select food from vending machines, he can choose items he believes are safe, which can help alleviate his paranoia and increase his trust in the care being provided. This approach promotes a therapeutic relationship and empowers the client in making choices about his care.

Explanation of why other choices are incorrect:
A: Explaining that others eat the food and are not harmed may not be effective as the client's delusion is strong, and rational arguments may not be helpful in this case.
C: Assisting with personal hygiene and grooming is important but does not directly address the client's delusion about food being poisoned.
D: Not allowing the client to verbalize delusional thoughts can escalate the client's distress and hinder the therapeutic relationship. It is essential to acknowledge the client's experiences and work towards building trust and rapport