A nurse is conversing with a client diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Suddenly, the client expresses fear, stating, “I’m scared.
Can you hear that? The voices are instructing me to do awful things.” Which of the following responses from the nurse would be suitable?
Why do you believe you are hearing voices?
What are the voices instructing you to do?
You need to comprehend that there are no voices.
Are the voices familiar to you?
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Asking "Why do you believe you are hearing voices?" is not a suitable response because it challenges the client's reality and can make them feel defensive or invalidated. It's important to validate the client's experience and avoid questioning the reality of their hallucinations.
It can also imply that the client is somehow responsible for their hallucinations, which can be stigmatizing and distressing.
It's more helpful to focus on the content of the hallucinations and how they are affecting the client, rather than on the cause of the hallucinations.
Choice B rationale:
Asking "What are the voices instructing you to do?" is a suitable response because it allows the nurse to assess the content of the hallucinations and the potential for harm.
This information can be used to develop a safety plan and to help the client manage their symptoms.
It also demonstrates to the client that the nurse is taking their concerns seriously and is interested in understanding their experience.
Choice C rationale:
Telling the client "You need to comprehend that there are no voices" is not a suitable response because it is dismissive of the client's experience and can make them feel like they are not being heard or understood.
It's important to remember that hallucinations are very real to the person experiencing them, and telling them that they are not real is not helpful.
It can also damage the therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the client.
Choice D rationale:
Asking "Are the voices familiar to you?" is not a suitable initial response because it is not directly relevant to the client's safety or to the assessment of their symptoms.
While it may be helpful to gather information about the nature of the voices at some point, the priority is to assess the potential for harm and to develop a safety plan.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Insomnia is a common symptom of anxiety, but it is not typically seen in mild cases. It is more often associated with moderate to severe anxiety.
When anxiety is mild, individuals may experience difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, but they are not typically unable to sleep at all.
Other sleep-related symptoms of mild anxiety may include restlessness, nightmares, or early morning awakening.
Choice B rationale:
Chest pain is a serious symptom that can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, including anxiety. However, it is not a common manifestation of mild anxiety.
Chest pain associated with anxiety is typically described as a sharp, stabbing pain or a feeling of tightness in the chest. It may be accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations, or sweating.
If a client with anxiety is experiencing chest pain, it is important to rule out other potential causes, such as heart disease or a pulmonary embolism.
Choice D rationale:
Incoherent speech is a sign of severe anxiety or a panic attack. It is not typically seen in mild anxiety.
When a person is experiencing incoherent speech, they may have difficulty speaking in complete sentences or making sense of their thoughts. They may also slur their words or speak in a rapid, disjointed manner.
Choice C rationale:
Irritability is a common manifestation of mild anxiety. It is often characterized by a feeling of being easily annoyed or angered.
Individuals with mild anxiety may also be more impatient, short-tempered, or argumentative than usual.
They may also have a lower tolerance for frustration and stress.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Increased salivation is a common side effect of haloperidol, but it is not the most serious adverse effect that the nurse should monitor for. It can be managed with medications such as anticholinergics, and it often subsides with continued use of haloperidol. Choice B rationale:
Serotonin syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that can occur when haloperidol is combined with other medications that increase serotonin levels, such as antidepressants. However, it is not a direct adverse effect of haloperidol itself.
Choice C rationale:
Increased menstrual bleeding is not a known side effect of haloperidol.
Choice D rationale:
Tardive dyskinesia is a serious and potentially irreversible movement disorder that can occur as a long-term side effect of haloperidol and other antipsychotic medications. It is characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of the face, tongue, and limbs.
The risk of tardive dyskinesia increases with the length of time that a person takes haloperidol and with the dose of the medication.
There is no cure for tardive dyskinesia, but the symptoms can sometimes be managed with medications.
It is important for nurses to monitor patients who are taking haloperidol for signs of tardive dyskinesia, so that the medication can be discontinued if necessary.
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