Question

which observations made by the nurse would indicate medication effectiveness for the patients positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

after two days of medication compliance with the antipsychotic medications, the patient is noted responding less to auditory hallucinations.

after a week of medication compliance with the antipsychotic medications, the patient is noted as taking more initiative with his peers.

after several days of medication compliance with the antipsychotic medications, the patient displays motivation to participate in group therapy.

after ten days of medication compliance with antipsychotic medications, the patient displays symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.

Explanation:

Identify the target clinical concept

The question asks for an observation indicating medication effectiveness specifically for the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.

Differentiate positive and negative symptoms

• Positive symptoms represent an excess or distortion of normal functioning (e.g., hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech).
• Negative symptoms represent a loss or decrease in normal functioning (e.g., avolition, alogia, anhedonia, social withdrawal).
• Tardive dyskinesia is an adverse extrapyramidal side effect of antipsychotics, not an indicator of therapeutic effectiveness.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: Auditory hallucinations are a classic positive symptom. Responding less to them indicates therapeutic effectiveness for positive symptoms.
• Option 2: Taking initiative with peers addresses social withdrawal/asociality, which is a negative symptom.
• Option 3: Displaying motivation to participate addresses avolition, which is a negative symptom.
• Option 4: Tardive dyskinesia is a medication side effect, not a therapeutic effect.

Answer:

• (A) After two days of medication compliance with the antipsychotic medications, the patient is noted responding less to auditory hallucinations. (Correct answer)
• (B) After a week of medication compliance with the antipsychotic medications, the patient is noted as taking more initiative with his peers.
• (C) After several days of medication compliance with the antipsychotic medications, the patient displays motivation to participate in group therapy.
• (D) After ten days of medication compliance with the antipsychotic medications, the patient displays symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.