Psychotic Disorders no. 4077

Psychotic Disorders no. 4077

QUESTION: The nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who experiences auditory hallucinations. The client appears to be listening to someone who isn't visible. He gestures, shouts angrily, and stops shouting in mid-sentence. Which nursing intervention is the most appropriate?

✘O a.) Approach the client and touch him to get his attention.
✘O b.) Encourage the client to go to his room where he'll experience fewer distractions.
✓O c.) Acknowledge that the client is hearing voices but make it clear that the nurse doesn't hear these voices.
✘O d.) Ask the client to describe what the voices are saying.

RATIONALE

RATIONALE: By acknowledging that the client hears voices, the nurse conveys acceptance of the client. By letting the client know that the nurse doesn't hear the voices, the nurse avoids reinforcing the hallucination. The nurse shouldn't touch the client with schizophrenia without advance warning. The hallucinating client may believe that the touch is a threat or act of aggression and respond violently. Being alone in his room encourages the client to withdraw and may promote more hallucinations. The nurse should provide an activity to distract the client. By asking the client what the voices are saying, the nurse is reinforcing the hallucination. The nurse should focus on the client's feelings rather than the content of the hallucination.
NURSING PROCESS STEP: Implementation
CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Psychosocial integrity
CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: None
COGNITIVE LEVEL: Analysis