A nurse is assessing the sleep pattern of a client who has an anxiety disorder. The client reports having difficulty sleeping most nights. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make?

Potential Condition:

a) Schizophrenia

Choice A reason: Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition characterized by symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and significant social or occupational dysfunction. The client’s symptoms, including mumbling as if talking to unseen others and the belief that someone is trying to poison them, are indicative of psychotic features commonly associated with schizophrenia. The prescribed medications, clozapine and risperidone, are antipsychotics often used in the treatment of schizophrenia, further supporting this diagnosis.

Actions to Take:

d) Place the client in a room near the nurses’ station This action allows for close observation and quick intervention if the client’s condition worsens or if they exhibit behaviors that could be harmful to themselves or others.

f) Maintain the client taking their prescribed medications Continuing the prescribed antipsychotic medications is crucial for managing the symptoms of schizophrenia and preventing exacerbation of the condition.

Parameters to Monitor:

j) Command hallucinations Monitoring for command hallucinations is important as they can lead to dangerous behaviors, including harm to self or others, if the client acts on these hallucinations.

l) Suicidal ideation Patients with schizophrenia are at an increased risk for suicide, especially during acute episodes or when experiencing command hallucinations. Regular assessment for suicidal ideation is a critical component of care.

Choice A reason: Assertiveness training is typically used to help individuals communicate more effectively and assert their needs and rights while respecting others. However, for someone with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), this approach may not address the core issues of grandiosity and lack of empathy.

Choice B reason: Response prevention therapy is often used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder to help prevent the individual from engaging in compulsive behaviors. It is not typically indicated for NPD, as it does not address the underlying issues of self-esteem and empathy.

Choice C reason: Schema-focused therapy is designed to help individuals with NPD by identifying and changing deeply ingrained patterns of thinking and behavior, known as schemas, that are often maladaptive. This therapy can help address the root causes of NPD, such as feelings of inadequacy and the need for admiration, making it a suitable recommendation for someone with NPD³.

Choice D reason: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective for a range of mental health disorders by helping individuals recognize and change negative thought patterns. While CBT can be beneficial for someone with NPD, schema-focused therapy is often preferred because it goes deeper into the personality structure and addresses the specific challenges of NPD³.