Question

Suzanne J. a 42 year old woman, is being treated for schizophrenia and has been prescribed an antipsychotic chlorpromazine (Thorazine). Her blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg, and her pulse rate is 120 bpm. She has difficulty holding down a job and is currently living in a women's shelter. The shelter has a van that brings clients to your public health clinic for dental care. Suzanne has a history of noncompliance with her medication and has been brought to the clinic because she has been complaining of pain in her jaw. She has rampant cervical caries, and her oral hygiene is poor. When you attempt to take radiographs, she becomes upset and says that she does not want "that ray gun" pointed at her. Her caseworker is able to convince her to cooperate, but she is fearful, and her jaws keep opening and closing spasmodically throughout the procedure. When the dentist comes into the room, she becomes agitated, jumps up, and tries to leave the treatment room but loses consciousness and falls.

Compliance is usually has a problem with patients taking antipsychotic medications because of the positive effects of the medication.
A. Both parts of the statement are true
B. Both parts of the statement are false
C. The first part of the statement is true; the second part is false
D. The first part of the statement is false; the second part is true

Answer 1

The first part of the statement is true and the second part is false. Therefore, the correct option is C.

Step-by-step explanation:

The first part of the statement, "Compliance is usually a problem with patients taking antipsychotic medications," is generally true. Noncompliance, or lack of adherence to prescribed medications, is a common challenge in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Factors such as side effects, stigma, and the nature of the illness itself can contribute to difficulties in maintaining consistent medication use.

However, the second part of the statement, "because of the positive effects of the medication," is false. Noncompliance with antipsychotic medications is often due to the undesirable side effects rather than the positive effects. Antipsychotics like chlorpromazine can have side effects such as sedation, weight gain, and extrapyramidal symptoms, which may lead to discomfort and impact a patient's willingness to adhere to the prescribed regimen.

In Suzanne's case, her history of noncompliance and fear of dental procedures may be influenced by the side effects of the antipsychotic medication, as well as her overall mental health condition. The false assertion in the second part of the statement highlights the complexity of factors contributing to medication noncompliance in individuals with psychiatric disorders. The comprehensive understanding of these factors is crucial for healthcare providers to address the unique challenges faced by patients like Suzanne and optimize treatment outcomes.