Psychotic Disorders no. 4031

Psychotic Disorders no. 4031

QUESTION: A man is brought to the hospital by his wife, who states that for the past week her husband has refused all meals and accused her of trying to poison him. During the initial interview, the client's speech, only partly comprehensible, reveals that his thoughts are controlled by delusions that he is possessed by the devil. The physician diagnoses paranoid schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is best described as a disorder characterized by:

✓O a.) disturbed relationships related to an inability to communicate and think clearly.
✘O b.) severe mood swings and periods of low to high activity.
✘O c.) multiple personalities, one of which is more destructive than the others.
✘O d.) auditory and tactile hallucinations.

RATIONALE

RATIONALE: Schizophrenia is best described as one of a group of psychotic reactions characterized by disturbed relationships with others and an inability to communicate and think clearly. Schizophrenic thoughts, feelings, and behavior commonly are evidenced by withdrawal, fluctuating moods, disordered thinking, and regressive tendencies. Severe mood swings and periods of low to high activity are typical of bipolar disorder. Multiple personality, sometimes confused with schizophrenia, is a dissociative personality disorder, not a psychotic illness. Many schizophrenic clients have auditory hallucinations; tactile hallucinations are more common in organic or toxic disorders.
NURSING PROCESS STEP: Evaluation
CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Psychosocial integrity
CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: None
COGNITIVE LEVEL: Knowledge