Question

A 30-year-old man presents to the emergency department saying that he is being bothered by voices coming from the walls of his home that are telling him to kill himself. The patient has a history of schizophrenia and was recently discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment for an acute psychotic episode. He was advised to continue taking haloperidol at home, but he did not continue taking medicine. What would be an appropriate step in the acute management of this patient in the emergency department?

A. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
B. Depot haloperidol injection
C. Administer olanzapine
D. Continue observation
E. Place in physical restraints

Answer 1

Administer olanzapine.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the acute management of this patient in the emergency department, an appropriate step would be to administer olanzapine. Olanzapine is a second-generation antipsychotic medication that is commonly used to treat schizophrenia. It is effective in reducing psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions. Since the patient has a history of schizophrenia and is experiencing distressing auditory hallucinations, olanzapine would be a suitable choice for managing his acute psychotic symptoms.