Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Test Part 3

Haloperidol administered I.M. or I.V. is the drug of choice for acute aggressive psychotic behavior. Chlorpromazine is also an antipsychotic drug; however, it causes more pronounced sedation than haloperidol. Lithium carbonate is useful in bipolar or manic disorder, and amitriptyline is used for depression.

The client needs to be informed of the activity and when it will be done. Giving the client choices isn't desirable because he can be manipulative or refuse to do anything. Negotiating and preparing the client ahead of time also isn't therapeutic with this type of client because he may not want to perform the activity.

Individuals who survive a traumatic experience in which others have died commonly report powerful feelings of guilt that they survived and others didn't. This guilt is referred to as survivor's guilt. In denial, a person refuses to accept that a situation or feeling exists. Anticipatory grief occurs when an individual experiences grief before a loss occurs. In repression, an individual involuntarily blocks an unpleasant experience, memory, or feeling from consciousness.

The exact mechanism of antipsychotic medication action is unknown, but appear to depress the CNS by blocking the transmission of three neurotransmitters: dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. They don't sedate the CNS by stimulating serotonin, and they don't stimulate neurotransmitter action or acetylcholine release.

Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication, administered to reduce the extrapyramidal adverse effects of chlorpromazine and other antipsychotic medications. Benztropine doesn't reduce psychotic symptoms, relieve anxiety, or control nausea and vomiting.

MAOI antidepressants when combined with a number of drugs can cause life-threatening hypertensive crisis. It's imperative that a client checks with his physician and pharmacist before taking any other medications. Activity doesn't need to be limited. Blood dyscrasias aren't a common problem with MAOIs. Aspirin and NSAIDs are safe to take with MAOIs.

Klonopin is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant and can aggravate symptoms in depressed clients. It doesn't interact with organ meats and can be taken with antidepressant medication. There is no need to call the physician; the medications can be safely taken together.

Malignant neuroleptic syndrome is a dangerous adverse effect of neuroleptic drugs such as fluphenazine. The nurse should withhold the next dose, notify the physician, and continue to monitor vital signs. Although an antipyretic agent may be used to reduce fever, increased fluid intake is contraindicated because it may increase the client's fluid volume further, raising blood pressure even higher.

Because a client with catatonic schizophrenia can't meet physical needs independently, the nurse must provide for all of these needs, including adequate food and fluid intake, exercise, and elimination. This client is incapable of expressing concerns; however, the nurse should try to verbalize the message conveyed by the client's nonverbal behavior. Lithium is used to treat mania, not catatonic schizophrenia. Despite the client's mute, unresponsive state, the nurse should provide nonthreatening stimulation and should spend time with the client, not leave the client alone all the time. Although aware of the environment, the client doesn't interact with it actively; the nurse's support and presence can be reassuring.

By talking about returning to college, the client is demonstrating an interest in making plans for the future, which is a sign of recovery from depression. Decreased socialization, lack of interest in personal appearance, and lack of emotion are all symptoms of depression.

As antidepressants begin to take effect and the client feels better, she may have the energy to initiate and complete another suicide attempt. As the client's energy level increases, the nurse must continue to be vigilant to the risk of suicide. Extrapyramidal symptoms may occur with antipsychotics and aren't adverse effects of antidepressants. A therapeutic relationship should be initiated upon admission to the psychiatric unit, after suicide precautions have been instituted. It's through this relationship that the client develops feelings of self-worth and trust and problem-solving takes place. In a no-suicide contract, the client states verbally or in writing that she won't attempt suicide and will seek out staff if she has suicidal thoughts. When the time period for a contract has expired, a new contract should be obtained from the client.

Physicians prescribe venlafaxine to treat depressive disorders; the drug is a second-generation antidepressant agent.

For this client, the highest-priority nursing diagnosis is Anxiety (severe to panic-level), manifested by the client's extreme withdrawal and attempt to protect himself from the environment. The nurse must act immediately to reduce anxiety and protect the client and others from possible injury. Impaired verbal communication, manifested by noncommunicativeness; Disturbed thought processes, evidenced by inability to understand the situation; and Self-care deficient: Dressing/grooming, evidenced by a disheveled appearance, are appropriate nursing diagnoses but aren't the highest priority.

All of the drugs listed are antidepressants that may be prescribed for this client. However, paroxetine, 20 mg P.O. every morning, is the only correct dosage. Amitriptyline is usually started at 75 to 150 mg P.O. daily in divided doses. Doxepin is started at 25 to 50 mg daily and may be titrated upward to a maximum daily dose of 300 mg. Imipramine is started at 50 to 75 mg daily and, if tolerated, titrated upward to a maximum daily dose of 300 mg.

The client is most likely suffering from muscle rigidity due to haloperidol. I.M. benztropine should be administered to prevent asphyxia or aspiration. Lorazepam treats anxiety, not extrapyramidal effects. Another dose of haloperidol would increase the severity of the reaction.

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the need for food is among the most important. Other needs, in order of decreasing importance, include hygiene, safety, and a sense of belonging.

Because haloperidol can cause photosensitivity and precipitate severe sunburn, the nurse should instruct the client to apply a sunscreen before exposure to the sun. The nurse also should teach the client to take haloperidol with meals — not 1 hour before — and should instruct the client not to decrease or increase the dosage unless the physician orders it.

By establishing a one-on-one relationship, the nurse helps the client learn how to interact with people in new situations. The other options are appropriate but should take place only after the nurse-client relationship is established.

Unusual movements of the tongue, neck, and arms suggest tardive dyskinesia, an adverse reaction to neuroleptic medication. Dystonia is characterized by cramps and rigidity of the tongue, face, neck, and back muscles. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome causes rigidity, fever, hypertension, and diaphoresis. Akathisia causes restlessness, anxiety, and jitteriness.

Because of the risk of missing an actual medical problem, any new symptoms reported by a client with hypochondriasis should be reported to the physician. The other interventions are appropriate after the nurse has determined that the client doesn't have a serious medical disorder.

In geriatric clients, phenothiazines are preferred for sedation and thought clearing. Benzodiazepines usually are avoided because of the risk of addiction, cardiovascular complications, and impaired motor coordination. Barbiturates also are avoided because they may cause delirium, confusion, excitement, and addiction. Locking the door is inappropriate and would violate the client's rights.

Antipsychotic medications may cause neutropenia and granulocytopenia, life-threatening blood dyscrasias, that warrant a nursing diagnosis of Ineffective protection related to blood dyscrasias. These medications also have anticholinergic effects, such as urine retention, dry mouth, and constipation. Urinary frequency isn't an approved nursing diagnosis. Although antipsychotic medications may cause sedation, they don't severely decrease the level of consciousness, eliminating option C. These drugs don't cause electrolyte disturbances, eliminating option D.

Polyuria commonly occurs early in the treatment with lithium and could result in fluid volume deficit. Sexual dysfunction isn't a common adverse effect of lithium; it's more common with sedatives and tricyclic antidepressants. Diarrhea, not constipation, occurs with lithium. Constipation can occur with other psychiatric drugs, such as antipsychotic drugs. Seizures may be a later sign of lithium toxicity.

This client's behaviors are typical of histrionic personality disorder, which is marked by excessive emotionality and attention seeking. The client constantly seeks and demands attention, approval, or praise; may be seductive in behavior, appearance, or conversation; and is uncomfortable except when she is the center of attention. Typically, a client with paranoid personality disorder is suspicious, cold, hostile, and argumentative. Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by anxiety, fear, and social isolation. Borderline personality disorder is characterized by impulsive, unpredictable behavior and unstable, intense interpersonal relationships.

Researchers have found that some clients can learn to control bothersome hallucinations by telling the voices to go away or stop. Taking an as needed dose of psychotropic medication whenever the voices arise may lead to overmedication and put the client at risk for adverse effects. Because the voices aren't likely to go away permanently, the client must learn to deal with the hallucinations without relying on drugs. Although distraction is helpful, singing loudly may upset other clients and would be socially unacceptable after the client is discharged. Hallucinations are most bothersome in a quiet environment when the client is alone, so sending the client to his room would increase, rather than decrease, the hallucinations.