A 45-year-old client with a delusional disorder believes that their neighbor is spying on them through hidden cameras in their home. The client is anxious but willing to discuss their belief. What is the most appropriate nursing response to support reality testing?
"That’s impossible. Your neighbor wouldn’t do that."
"You should stop worrying about this; it’s not real."
"If you think there are cameras, we should find them together."
"I understand this is frightening for you. I haven’t seen any cameras, and the police haven’t found anything. Let’s talk about what might help you feel more secure."
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Directly rejecting the belief is non-therapeutic and may increase defensiveness, damaging trust.
Choice B reason: Telling the client to stop worrying invalidates their feelings and dismisses the emotional impact of the delusion.
Choice C reason: Participating in the delusion by “looking for cameras” reinforces the false belief, which is not supportive of reality testing.
Choice D reason: Acknowledging the client’s fear while gently presenting reality and shifting toward problem-solving helps maintain trust and supports reality testing.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:Methadone is commonly used to manage opioid withdrawal by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It acts as a long-acting opioid agonist, stabilizing the client and preventing severe withdrawal effects.
Choice B reason:Risperidone is an antipsychotic used for conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It has no role in managing opioid withdrawal, as it does not address withdrawal symptoms or opioid dependence.
Choice C reason:Lithium carbonate is used to stabilize mood in bipolar disorder. It is not indicated for opioid withdrawal, as it does not alleviate the physical or psychological symptoms associated with opioid cessation.
Choice D reason:Disulfiram is used to treat alcohol dependence by causing adverse reactions when alcohol is consumed. It has no therapeutic effect on opioid withdrawal and is inappropriate for this situation.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Being preoccupied with repetitive activities such as folding clothes can sometimes occur in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder or autism spectrum disorders, but it is not a defining feature of schizophrenia.
Choice B reason: Elation and unusual talkativeness are hallmark features of mania in bipolar disorder, not schizophrenia.
Choice C reason: Recurrent thoughts of past trauma are more characteristic of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), not schizophrenia.
Choice D reason: Creating words that have no meaning, also called neologisms, is a common positive symptom of schizophrenia and reflects disorganized thought processes.
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