Population Based Health Care Related

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A patient with many positive symptoms of schizophrenia, whose behavior is disorganized and who is highly anxious, tells the nurse in the psychiatric emergency department, 'You have got to help me. I do not know what is going on. I think someone is trying to wipe me out. I have to get a gun.' The patient, a college student, lives alone and has no family or support system in the immediate area. He has not left his room in 2 weeks, has not eaten in several days, and is unkempt. Of the available treatment settings, the nurse should recommend:

  • A. admission to an unlocked residential crisis unit.
  • B. inpatient hospitalization on a locked unit.
  • C. attending a day treatment program for 4 weeks.
  • D. admission to a partial hospital program.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: inpatient hospitalization on a locked unit. This option is the most appropriate because the patient is presenting with severe symptoms of schizophrenia, including paranoia, disorganized behavior, and potential harm to self or others by mentioning getting a gun. In this case, the patient requires a higher level of care and safety, which can only be provided in an inpatient hospital setting on a locked unit. Admission to an unlocked residential crisis unit (Choice A) may not provide the necessary level of supervision and security. Attending a day treatment program for 4 weeks (Choice C) may not be intensive enough to address the patient's current crisis. Admission to a partial hospital program (Choice D) also may not provide the required level of supervision and structure for a patient with such acute symptoms.