30 Questions
What is schizophrenia characterized by?
A person’s thoughts, perceptions, emotions, movements, and behaviors
In what setting may a nurse care for a client with schizophrenia who is experiencing psychotic symptoms?
Acute inpatient setting
What is one primary intervention for managing auditory hallucinations?
Dismissal intervention (e.g., telling the voices to go away)
How should a nurse teach a client to talk back to the voices forcefully?
In private rather than publicly
What may a nurse encounter in a community setting when caring for a client with schizophrenia who is not experiencing psychotic symptoms?
Client lacks energy for daily tasks and has feelings of loneliness and isolation
What should the nurse do if the client’s behavior is hostile or aggressive?
Acknowledge these feelings and take measures to ensure his or her safety
Is schizophrenia a chronic illness requiring long-term management strategies and coping skills?
Yes, it requires long-term management strategies and coping skills
What are the two types of signs of schizophrenia mentioned in the text?
Positive (psychotic) signs and negative signs
What is the primary difference in the approach and interventions of two nurses caring for clients with schizophrenia?
One nurse deals with positive signs, while the other deals with negative signs
What is the disease of the brain characterized by a clinical syndrome affecting a person’s thoughts, perceptions, emotions, movements, and behaviors?
Schizophrenia
What is the mechanism of action of first-generation antipsychotic drugs?
Blockade of D2 receptors
Which type of antipsychotics is considered first-choice therapy for schizophrenia due to a more favorable adverse effect profile?
Second-generation antipsychotics
What is the FDA's BLACK BOX WARNING ♦ for haloperidol related to?
Extrapyramidal and withdrawal symptoms in newborns
Which adverse effect is more common to high-potency drugs compared to low-potency drugs?
Early extrapyramidal effects (acute dystonia, akathisia, parkinsonism)
What is tardive dyskinesia?
A late extrapyramidal effect that may occur with all antipsychotic drugs
What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome characterized by?
Rigidity and severe hyperthermia
How are early extrapyramidal effects treated?
Reducing dosage, changing to a second-generation antipsychotic, or use of anticholinergic medications
What is the mechanism of action of second-generation antipsychotics?
Blockade of dopamine and serotonin receptors
What type of drugs are considered first-generation antipsychotics?
Phenothiazine drugs
What is the FDA's BLACK BOX WARNING ♦ for clozapine related to?
All of the above
What is the principal treatment for schizophrenia?
Antipsychotic drugs
What are key nursing interventions for clients with psychotic symptoms?
Ensuring safety and maintaining reality for the client
What should nurses avoid when interacting with clients with schizophrenia?
Pretending to be unafraid
What is a characteristic of schizophrenia?
It is a chronic illness with potential relapses
What is associated with poorer outcomes in schizophrenia treatment?
Substance use
What should nurses do for stabilized clients with schizophrenia?
Offer support and educate about self-care
What should nurses be aware of when working with clients with schizophrenia?
Dealing with fear for personal safety
What may families of clients with schizophrenia experience?
Fear and embarrassment
What is the risk of mortality in older adult patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs?
Significant increase in risk
What varies widely for clients with schizophrenia?
Prognosis and outcomes
Study Notes
Nursing Care for Clients with Schizophrenia and Antipsychotic Drugs
- Nurses should create a secure environment for clients with schizophrenia, avoiding isolation and maintaining an open dialogue
- Nurses should not pretend to be unafraid as clients may sense fear, leading to decreased security and personal control
- Schizophrenia is a chronic illness with potential relapses and hospital admissions
- Nurses should not take personal responsibility for the success or failure of treatment efforts
- Schizophrenia affects all aspects of a client's life, including social interactions, emotional health, and ability to work and function in the community
- The clinical picture, prognosis, and outcomes for clients with schizophrenia vary widely
- Families of clients with schizophrenia may experience fear, embarrassment, and guilt and must be educated about the disorder
- Noncompliance with treatment and medication regimen, and substance use, are associated with poorer outcomes in schizophrenia treatment
- Key nursing interventions for clients with psychotic symptoms include ensuring safety, dealing with socially inappropriate behaviors, and maintaining reality for the client
- Key nursing interventions for stabilized clients include offering support, clarifying feelings and statements, developing social skills, and educating about self-care
- Self-awareness issues for nurses working with clients with schizophrenia include dealing with psychotic symptoms, fear for personal safety, and frustration
- Antipsychotic drugs are the principal treatment for schizophrenia, with first-generation and second-generation categories, both of which increase the risk of mortality in older adult patients with dementia-related psychosis
Test your knowledge of nursing care for clients with schizophrenia and antipsychotic drugs with this quiz. Learn about key nursing interventions, self-awareness issues for nurses, the impact on clients' lives, and the use of antipsychotic drugs in treatment.
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