Page 54 - Advanced Communication in Nursing

b. Before reading the text, match the word and its definition.

Words Definitions
1. guarded (adj) A. to give (a drug, medicine, or treatment) to someone
2. administer (v) B. help given to people
3. adverse (adj) C. careful not to give too much information or show how you feel
4. suicide (n) D. complete and include everything necessary
5. precaution (n) E. to create or set something in a particular way
6. prescribe (v) F. having a harmful effect
7. establish (v) G. to officially tell someone to use (a medicine, therapy, etc.) as a remedy or
treatment
8. discharge (n) H. the act of killing yourself intentionally
9. assistance (n) I. an action that is done to prevent something unpleasant or dangerous
happening
10. comprehensive(adj) J. official permission to leave a hospital

Strategies for Caring the Patients with Schizophrenia

Caring for a patient with schizophrenia involves some strategies such as ensuring that prescribed
medications are administered as directed. You will also monitor for adverse drug reactions, in addition to
addressing the medical problem that caused the patient to be admitted. Nurses should be able to provide
support to help patients make informed decisions about their care, minimize stress and keep safety risks to
a minimum, maintain suicide precautions if indicated, and follow the facility's policy for handling a
potentially violent patient.
When patients arrive in your ICU, firstly greet them. They might eventually answer simple questions
appropriately but don't provide much information and appear guarded. Resume their routine antipsychotic
medications as soon as possible to reduce symptom worsening and problematic behavior. If patients’
routine antipsychotic medications aren't prescribed on admission, ask the healthcare provider to prescribe
them as soon as possible. Furthermore, if the medication
can't be given orally, check with the pharmacy to
determine if it's available in I.V., I.M., or orally
disintegrating tablet form.
Another strategy to be carried out is building and
maintaining a therapeutic relationship by establishing
trust. You need to remain calm and unhurried and
demonstrate acceptance through a nonjudgmental
attitude. Sit down with them and talk with them, using
active listening. Clear communication of expectations,
including explaining any procedures and asking
permission before performing them, can help establish
trust.
Maintaining structure in the patient's environment is
also essential, as is reality orientation as needed. If the
patient reports hallucinations, don't challenge him.
Reorient him, for example, by saying, "I understand you see a tiger, but I don't see one." If they become

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