"The nurse is preparing a client with a history of command hallucinations for discharge by providing instructions on interventio
ns for managing hallucinations and anxiety. Which statement in response to these instructions suggests to the nurse that the client has a need for additional information?"
"When I begin to hallucinate, I'll call my therapist and talk about what I should do."
Explanation:
Command hallucination is a common symptom in schizophrenia and represents the most distressing type of hallucination. This type of hallucination directs the patient to perform an action. Apart from the danger-related problems that some command hallucinations may represent, comparatively little is known about the broader clinical context of this symptom. When a patient with this type of hallucination is discharged, this patient is taught with techniques that can help him or her cope better with this problem. These techniques may include breathing techniques, medication, among others. For this reason, when a patient with command hallucinations says, "When I start hallucinating, I call my therapist and talk about what to do," the nursing staff should better teach him what to do.
