Question

A 16-year-old-client with paranoid schizophrenia experiences command hallucination to harm others, and has been admitted for trying to jump off a building because he felt the voice of God told him to do so. His parents ask the nurse, "What is it that makes him hear voices?" Which is the appropriate nursing response?

A.) "Psychosis is correlated with excessive dopamine levels in certain parts of the brain."
B.) "Hallucinations are caused by medication interactions."
C.) "Too little serotonin is to blame for delusions and hallucinations."
D.) "Changes in hormones during puberty have been shown to cause the voices."

Answer 1

The appropriate nursing response is that psychosis is correlated with excessive dopamine levels in certain parts of the brain.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate nursing response to the parents' question is option A.

Psychosis, including hallucinations, is correlated with excessive dopamine levels in certain parts of the brain. In the case of your 16-year-old client with paranoid schizophrenia, the command hallucination to harm others is a symptom of their condition.

The development of schizophrenia is thought to involve malfunctioning dopaminergic neurons and may also involve problems with glutamate signaling. Treatment for schizophrenia usually requires antipsychotic medications that work by blocking dopamine receptors and decreasing dopamine neurotransmission in the brain.