A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing auditory hallucinations.
What should the nurse say first?

“I know you hear the voices, but I do not.”

“How often do you hear the voices?”

“What are the voices telling you?”

“The voices are part of your illness.”

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

The correct answer is Choice C.

Choice A rationale: While acknowledging the client's experience is important, this statement does not immediately address the content of the hallucinations, which could be crucial for assessing the client's safety.

Choice B rationale: Asking how often the client hears the voices is useful information for later, but it is not the immediate priority when first addressing auditory hallucinations.

Choice C rationale: Asking what the voices are telling the client is the priority. This helps the nurse assess if the hallucinations include commands or harmful content, which is essential for determining the client's immediate safety and risk of self-harm or harm to others.

Choice D rationale: Explaining that the voices are part of the client's illness can be useful for long-term understanding, but it does not address the immediate need to assess the content of the hallucinations.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Meaningless phrases are a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia and can indicate a worsening of the client's psychosis. This is a significant finding because it suggests that the client's ability to think clearly and communicate effectively is deteriorating.

Prompt reporting to the provider is crucial to ensure timely assessment and intervention, which may include medication adjustments or other therapeutic measures to address the worsening psychosis.

Early intervention is essential to prevent further decline in the client's mental state and to minimize the risk of harm to self or others.

I'll provide detailed rationales for the other choices, even though they are not the priority to report:

Choice B rationale:

Refusal to eat can be a symptom of schizophrenia, but it is not as immediate of a concern as meaningless phrases. It's important to monitor the client's nutritional intake and address any underlying causes of the refusal to eat, but this can typically be managed through nursing interventions without requiring immediate provider notification.

Choice C rationale:

Substance use can exacerbate schizophrenia symptoms and should be addressed, but it is not the priority to report in this scenario. The nurse should assess the client's substance use history and patterns, provide education and counseling on the risks of substance use, and collaborate with the provider to develop a treatment plan that addresses both the schizophrenia and the substance use.

Choice D rationale:

Decreased energy level can be a symptom of schizophrenia, but it is also a common symptom of many other conditions. It's important to assess the client's overall health and identify any potential causes of the decreased energy level, but it is not typically a priority to report to the provider unless it is severe or accompanied by other concerning symptoms

A. Psychomotor retardation. B. Decreased self-esteem. C. Euphoria. D. Hallucinations. E. Hallucinations.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Psychomotor retardation is a characteristic of depression, not hypomania. In fact, individuals with hypomania typically exhibit psychomotor agitation, which is characterized by increased energy and activity levels.

Psychomotor retardation often manifests as slowed movements, speech, and thought processes. It can significantly impact an individual's ability to perform daily tasks and engage in social interactions.

While psychomotor retardation can occur in various mental health conditions, it is not typically associated with hypomania.

Choice B rationale:

Decreased self-esteem is also a characteristic of depression, not hypomania. Individuals with hypomania typically experience inflated self-esteem and grandiosity.

They may overestimate their abilities, make unrealistic plans, or engage in risky behaviors. This inflated sense of self-worth is often a hallmark feature of hypomania and can contribute to impaired judgment and decision-making.

Choice C rationale:

Euphoria is a hallmark symptom of hypomania. It is characterized by an elevated, expansive, or irritable mood that is persistent and noticeable to others.

Individuals with euphoria often feel excessively happy, cheerful, or optimistic. They may have increased energy, decreased need for sleep, and a heightened sense of well-being.

They may also be more talkative, outgoing, and engage in pleasurable activities more often.

This elevated mood is a core feature of hypomania and is often accompanied by other characteristic symptoms, such as increased activity levels, racing thoughts, and impulsivity.

Choice D rationale:

Hallucinations are not a typical feature of hypomania. They are more commonly associated with psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia.

Hallucinations involve perceiving things that are not real, such as hearing voices or seeing things that are not there.

While hallucinations can occur in some individuals with hypomania, they are not a defining feature of the condition

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A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What should the nurse say first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and notices changes in the client’s behavior. Which of the following behaviors is the nurse’s priority to report to the provider?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is collecting data from a client who has hypomania. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing auditory hallucinations.
What should the nurse say first?