Psychotic Disorders no. 4052

Psychotic Disorders no. 4052

QUESTION: A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a tentative diagnosis of psychosis. Her physician prescribes the phenothiazine thioridazine (Mellaril) 50 mg by mouth three times per day. Phenothiazines differ from central nervous system (CNS) depressants in their sedative effects by producing:

✘O a.) deeper sleep than CNS depressants.
✘O b.) greater sedation than CNS depressants.
✓O c.) a calming effect from which the client is easily aroused.
✘O d.) more prolonged sedative effects, making the client more difficult to arouse.

RATIONALE

RATIONALE: Shortly after phenothiazine administration, a quieting and calming effect occurs, but the client is easily aroused, alert, and responsive and has good motor coordination.
NURSING PROCESS STEP: Evaluation
CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Physiological integrity
CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: Pharmacological and parenteral therapies
COGNITIVE LEVEL: Knowledge