A client diagnosed with schizophrenia disorder states, "My psychiatrist is out to get me. I'm sad that the voice is telling me to stop the psychiatrist." What symptom is the client exhibiting, and what is the nurse's legal responsibility related to this symptom?
Altered thought processes; call an emergency treatment team meeting.
Command hallucinations; warn the psychiatrist.
Persecutory delusions; orient the client to reality.
Magical thinking; administer an antipsychotic medication.
The Correct Answer is B
a. Altered thought processes; call an emergency treatment team meeting. While altered thought processes are present, the urgent concern is the command hallucination directing the client to harm the psychiatrist. An emergency treatment team meeting may not provide the immediate intervention required.
b. Command hallucinations; warn the psychiatrist. This is correct because the client is experiencing command hallucinations that pose a direct threat to the psychiatrist. The nurse has a duty to warn the potential victim and ensure the safety of both the client and others.
c. Persecutory delusions; orient the client to reality. Persecutory delusions are present, but the immediate danger from the command hallucinations takes precedence. Orienting the client to reality does not address the urgent safety issue.
d. Magical thinking; administer an antipsychotic medication. Magical thinking is not the correct symptom here. Administering medication is part of treatment but does not address the immediate safety concern.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
a. "You feel that your mother does not want you to come back home?" This response uses reflection, a therapeutic communication technique, to encourage the client to express and explore their feelings further.
b. "It's quite common for clients to feel that way after a lengthy hospitalization." While this normalizes the client's feelings, it might dismiss the client's unique emotional experience and does not invite further exploration.
c. "Why don't you talk to your mother? You may find out she doesn't feel that way." This response provides a solution but does not address the client's current emotional state or encourage them to express their feelings.
d. "Your mother seems like an understanding person. I'll help you approach her." This response makes an assumption about the mother and shifts the focus away from the client’s feelings.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
a. "You need to understand there are no voices": Denying the client's experience can be invalidating and unhelpful.
b. What are the voices telling you to do? (Correct)A key principle in responding to someone experiencing auditory hallucinations is to validate their experience and ask open-ended questions. This helps the client feel heard and allows the nurse to assess the severity of the situation and potential safety risks.
c. What do you think is causing you to hear the voices? While exploring the cause of hallucinations can be part of therapy, in the immediate situation, focusing on what the voices are saying and assessing safety is more important.
d. "You need to tell the forces to leave you alone": This is confrontational and doesn't acknowledge the client's fear. It might also reinforce the belief in the voices having power.
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