A client with schizophrenia is reluctant to take his prescribed oral medication. The most therapeutic response by the nurse to this refusal is,
- A. I can see that you're uncomfortable now, so we can wait until tomorrow.
- B. If you refuse these pills, you'll have to get an injection.
- C. What is it about the medicine that you don't like?
- D. You know you have to take this medicine for your own good.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Exploring reasons for medication refusal addresses barriers to compliance, fostering collaboration, unlike threats, delays, or non-therapeutic insistence.
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The nurse enters the room of a client with schizophrenia the day after he has been admitted to an inpatient setting and says, 'I would like to spend some time talking with you.' The client stares straight ahead and remains silent. The best response by the nurse is,
- A. I can see you want to be alone. I'll come back another time.
- B. If you don't need to talk right now, I'll just sit here for a few minutes.
- C. I've got some other things I can do now. I hope you'll feel like talking later.
- D. You would feel better if you would tell me what you're thinking.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sitting quietly shows acceptance and builds trust, supporting the client's limited tolerance for interaction, unlike leaving or assuming feelings.
During the nursing assessment, a client describes constantly hearing voices mumbling in the background. The client denies that the voices are telling him to do anything harmful. The nurse documents that the client is experiencing which of the following?
- A. Command hallucinations
- B. Auditory hallucinations
- C. Olfactory hallucinations
- D. Gustatory hallucinations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hearing non-command voices indicates auditory hallucinations, the most common type in schizophrenia, distinct from command, olfactory, or gustatory hallucinations.
A client who has suspicion has been placed in a room with a roommate. The night nurse reports that this client has been awake for the past 3 nights. The likely explanation for his wakefulness is which of the following?
- A. He is fearful of what his roommate might do to him while he sleeps.
- B. He is a light sleeper and unaccustomed to a roommate.
- C. He is watching for an opportunity to escape.
- D. He is worrying about his family problems.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Suspicion in schizophrenia often causes fear of harm from others, like a roommate, making it the most likely reason for wakefulness over other explanations.
A person suffering from schizophrenia has little emotional expression when interacting with others. The nurse would document the client's affect as which of the following?
- A. Flat
- B. Blunt
- C. Bright
- D. Inappropriate
- E. Pleasant
Correct Answer: A,B
Rationale: Flat or blunted affect, showing little to no emotional expression, is typical in schizophrenia, unlike bright, inappropriate, or pleasant affect.
A client with schizophrenia is admitted to the inpatient unit. He does not speak when spoken to but has been observed talking to himself on occasion. What would be the priority objective at this time?
- A. The client will begin talking with other clients
- B. The client will express his feelings freely
- C. The client will increase his socialization with others
- D. The client will increase his reality orientation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Increasing reality orientation is the priority to ground the client before addressing socialization or emotional expression, given his current withdrawn state.
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