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A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and exhibits a lack of grooming and a flat affect. The nurse should anticipate a prescription of which of the following medications?

A. Chlorpromazine
B. Thiothixene
C. Risperidone
D. Haloperidol

User Arimbun
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Final answer:

A nurse anticipating medication for a schizophrenia patient with a lack of grooming and flat affect should expect an antipsychotic prescription such as Risperidone, which addresses both positive and negative symptoms by blocking dopamine receptors, thus managing psychosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Antipsychotic Medication for Schizophrenia

A nurse caring for a client with schizophrenia who exhibits a lack of grooming and a flat affect should anticipate a prescription for an antipsychotic medication. Antipsychotics, such as Risperidone, are commonly used to manage the symptoms of schizophrenia by blocking dopamine receptors and decreasing dopamine neurotransmission in the brain. Risperidone, in particular, is effective in treating both the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, which includes addressing issues like a lack of grooming and flat affect. Other medications like Chlorpromazine, Thiothixene, and Haloperidol are also antipsychotics, but Risperidone is often chosen for its efficacy and side effect profile.

Chlorpromazine is known for its antiemetic and antihistaminic effects and may be used in the management of psychiatric illnesses.

The effectiveness of these drugs relies on their ability to serve as antagonists for dopamine, thereby suppressing overactive dopamine neurotransmission that is often associated with the symptomatic manifestations of schizophrenia. Therefore, in the case presented, the nurse might anticipate the prescription of Risperidone or another antipsychotic as part of the client's treatment regimen.

User RealPawPaw
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