Within the nurse's scope of practice, which function is exclusive to the advanced practice psychiatric nurse?

A. Use touch to calm the client during periods of anxiety:

Individuals with paranoid schizophrenia may have heightened sensitivity to touch, and it can potentially exacerbate their anxiety or paranoia. This intervention may not be appropriate as it could escalate the client's distress.

B. Check the client's mouth after the client takes medication:

This is the best choice. People with paranoid schizophrenia may be prone to hoarding or pocketing medications. Checking the client's mouth ensures that the medication has been swallowed, promoting medication adherence and preventing potential harm.

C. Rotate the staff assignments for this client:

Consistency in caregivers is generally preferred for clients with schizophrenia to build trust and a therapeutic relationship. Constantly changing staff assignments can lead to increased anxiety and mistrust.

D. Assign an assistive personnel to feed the client at meal times:

While assistance with feeding may be needed, assigning an assistive personnel without direct supervision for a client with paranoid schizophrenia may not be the best approach. It's important to ensure the client's safety and monitor their behavior during meals.

A. "I will take Lithobid on an empty stomach": This statement is incorrect. Lithobid is usually taken with meals or right after meals to minimize gastrointestinal side effects. Taking it on an empty stomach may lead to increased side effects.

B. "I will maintain normal salt intake": This statement is correct. Lithium levels in the blood can be influenced by sodium levels. Maintaining a consistent and normal salt intake is important for the proper functioning of lithium in the body. Both low and high sodium levels can affect lithium levels.

C. "I will consume more fluids": This statement is generally correct. Adequate fluid intake is important to prevent dehydration, as lithium is excreted by the kidneys. However, it should be balanced, and excessive fluid intake should be avoided to prevent lithium toxicity.

D. "I will limit my intake of fluids daily": This statement is incorrect. While fluid intake should be monitored and maintained at a reasonable level, restricting fluids too much can lead to dehydration and an increased risk of lithium toxicity.