Psychotic Disorders no. 4032

Psychotic Disorders no. 4032

QUESTION: Nursing care for a client with schizophrenia must be based on valid psychiatric and nursing theories. The nurse's interpersonal communication with the client and specific nursing interventions must be:

✘O a.) clearly identified with boundaries and specifically defined roles.
✘O b.) warm and nonthreatening.
✘O c.) centered on clearly defined limits and expression of empathy.
✓O d.) flexible enough for the nurse to adjust the care plan as the situation warrants.

RATIONALE

RATIONALE: A flexible care plan is needed for any client who behaves in a suspicious, withdrawn, or regressed manner or who has a thought disorder. Because such a client communicates at different levels and is in control of himself at various times, the nurse must be able to adjust nursing care as the situation warrants. The nurse's role should be clear; however, the boundaries or limits of this role should be flexible enough to meet client needs. Because a client with schizophrenia fears closeness and affection, a warm approach may be too threatening. Expressing empathy is important, but centering interventions on clearly defined limits is impossible because the client's situation may change without warning.
NURSING PROCESS STEP: Implementation
CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Safe, effective care environment
CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: Management of care
COGNITIVE LEVEL: Knowledge