The nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia. Which of the following would be a priority nursing goal for this client’s care?
Promote interaction with others.
Encourage participation in group therapy activities.
Decrease their anxiety and increase trust.
Improve their relationship with their parents.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
Promote interaction with others.
While promoting interaction with others is important for clients with schizophrenia, it is not the primary priority. Social interaction can help improve social skills and reduce isolation, but it should come after establishing a sense of safety and trust. Clients with schizophrenia often experience significant anxiety and mistrust, which need to be addressed first to create a stable foundation for further therapeutic interventions.
Choice B Reason:
Encourage participation in group therapy activities.
Encouraging participation in group therapy activities is beneficial for clients with schizophrenia as it can provide support and help them develop social skills. However, similar to promoting interaction with others, this goal is secondary to decreasing anxiety and building trust. Clients need to feel safe and trust their caregivers before they can effectively engage in group therapy.
Choice C Reason:
Decrease their anxiety and increase trust.
This is the correct response. Decreasing anxiety and increasing trust are fundamental goals in the care of clients with schizophrenia. High levels of anxiety and mistrust can exacerbate symptoms and hinder the effectiveness of other therapeutic interventions. Establishing a trusting relationship and reducing anxiety can create a more stable and supportive environment, which is essential for the client’s overall well-being and progress.
Choice D Reason:
Improve their relationship with their parents.
Improving the client’s relationship with their parents can be an important aspect of their overall treatment plan, especially if family dynamics contribute to their condition. However, this goal is not the immediate priority. Addressing the client’s anxiety and building trust should come first, as these are critical for the client’s stability and ability to engage in family therapy effectively.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Word salad.
Word salad refers to a jumble of words and phrases that lack logical coherence, often seen in severe cases of schizophrenia. The speech is typically incomprehensible and does not follow any recognizable pattern. In this case, the client’s response, while unusual, follows a pattern based on sound rather than meaning, which does not fit the definition of word salad.
Choice B Reason:
Loose association.
Loose association involves a series of thoughts that are only loosely connected to each other. This is a common symptom in schizophrenia, where the person’s thoughts may drift from one topic to another with little logical connection. However, the client’s response in this scenario is more structured and based on rhyming, which is characteristic of clang associations rather than loose associations.
Choice C Reason:
Clang association.
Clang association is a type of thought disorder where the person’s speech is governed by the sound of words rather than their meaning. This often results in rhyming or punning speech. The client’s response, “A match is a catch. A catch is a batch. The batch started to hatch,” is a clear example of clang association because the words are linked by their similar sounds rather than their meanings.
Choice D Reason:
Ideas of reference.
Ideas of reference involve the belief that ordinary events, objects, or behaviors of others have particular and unusual significance specifically for the person. This is often seen in paranoid schizophrenia. The client’s response does not indicate that they believe the words have special personal significance; instead, it shows a pattern of rhyming, which is more indicative of clang association.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
“This is a difficult transition. Let’s formulate a plan to keep you feeling safe.”
This response is the most supportive because it acknowledges the client’s feelings and offers a proactive solution. By recognizing the difficulty of the transition and suggesting a plan to ensure the client’s safety, the nurse provides reassurance and practical support. This approach helps to build trust and shows empathy, which is crucial in a therapeutic relationship.
Choice B Reason:
“It’s the policy that patients can only live here for 30 days. Let’s try to extend it.”
While this response acknowledges the client’s fear, it focuses on policy rather than addressing the client’s immediate emotional needs. Extending the stay might not be feasible or beneficial in the long term. The primary goal should be to empower the client to feel safe and supported outside the facility.
Choice C Reason:
“You’ve had a month to come up with a plan to work on your well-being.”
This response can come across as dismissive and unsupportive. It implies that the client should have already resolved their fears, which may increase their anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. The focus should be on providing immediate support and reassurance rather than criticizing the client’s progress.
Choice D Reason:
“Hopefully you learned from being in counseling. I’m sure this will work out fine.”
This response is overly optimistic and does not address the client’s current fears. It provides false reassurance without offering any concrete support or solutions. The client needs to feel heard and supported, not just reassured that everything will be fine.
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