Question

a nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing delusions, hallucinations, and alterations in speech. which of the following classes of medication should the nurse anticipate the provider to prescribe?

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
dopamine antagonist
mood stabilizer
benzodiazepine

Explanation:

Analyze client symptoms

The client is experiencing delusions, hallucinations, and alterations in speech. These are classic positive symptoms of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.

Identify drug class mechanism

To treat positive psychotic symptoms (delusions and hallucinations), antipsychotic medications are indicated. Antipsychotics primarily function by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, specifically acting as dopamine antagonists.

Evaluate the options

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI): Primarily used for depression and anxiety disorders, not acute psychosis.
• Dopamine antagonist: Antipsychotics (both typical and atypical) block dopamine \(D_2\) receptors to reduce positive symptoms of psychosis. This is the correct pharmacological class.
• Mood stabilizer: Used primarily for bipolar disorder to control manic and depressive episodes (e.g., Lithium, Valproate).
• Benzodiazepine: Used primarily for acute anxiety, muscle spasms, or alcohol withdrawal, not as primary treatment for delusions and hallucinations.

Answer:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
• Dopamine antagonist (Correct answer)
• Mood stabilizer
• Benzodiazepine