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 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 positive symptoms of schizophrenia

Positive symptoms represent an excess or distortion of normal functioning, such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, and disorganized behavior. Auditory hallucinations are a classic positive symptom.

Evaluate the options based on positive symptoms

• Option 1: Responding less to auditory hallucinations directly indicates a reduction in a positive symptom, showing medication effectiveness.
• Option 2: Taking more initiative with peers addresses social withdrawal, which is a negative symptom.
• Option 3: Displaying motivation to participate in group therapy addresses avolition, which is a negative symptom.
• Option 4: Tardive dyskinesia is an adverse extrapyramidal side effect of antipsychotic medications, not an indicator of therapeutic effectiveness.

Determine the correct choice

The observation of responding less to auditory hallucinations is the only choice indicating effectiveness specifically for positive symptoms.

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.