Addressing Andrew's Prescription: A Guide to Managing Schizophrenia

The assignment content involves a case study of Andrew who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is experiencing auditory hallucinations. A healthcare provider must develop a care plan to help Andrew manage his symptoms, improve his quality of life, and reduce the risk of relapse. The care plan includes proper listening and communication skills, explaining the nature and cause of his mental state, and the importance of using medication such as risperidone 1mg nocte. Additionally, the healthcare provider must monitor Andrew for signs and symptoms like confusions or talking to themselves, teach him reality-based and distraction techniques, and set aside time to deal with impaired verbal communication.

The management of schizophrenia
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Date of Submission

The management of schizophrenia
Interpersonal skills to be used on Andrew
Interpersonal skills refer to the skills that we use when we associate or impart with other people,
both in gatherings and separately (Vickers & Linde, 2014). In this case, since Andrew is
suffering from schizophrenia, the most important skills needed to engage with him will e the
listening and communication skills.
Communication can be either through non- verbal or verbal communication. Verbal
communications requires an individual to slow down when addressing an individual, this is very
important as it gives the other person the chance to respond to questions. The other important
thing during communication is the listening skills, which is important as it enables one to give
appropriate feedback. When dealing with patients with schizophrenia like Andrew, it is
important to be mindful and show respect by not showing him a harsh attitude that will make
him feel humiliated. When dealing with Andrew, it is important to note that, by being kind, it
will enhance the patient’s recovery process because, proper communication skills will help the
patient be attentive and calm, which is important for the mental health. In this case, when
engaging with the patient it is imperative for the healthcare provider to consider their emotions
and feelings by adjusting the tone and the body language. Similarly, non verbal communication
is very important as it involves the actions individuals do subconsciously without them knowing.
In most cases, on- verbal communication is what the other people see and derive meaning like
the facial expressions, gestures, tone, and the physical positions adopted. It is important to
address the non- verbal communication when engaging with Andrew because, just like any other
normal person, he can uncover the actual intent, which can impact him either positively or

negatively. In addition, when dealing with Andrew, it is important to adopt proper
communication skills in order to help explain to him the nature of illness, the cause of symptoms,
and the reasons as to why they have/need to take medication (Hutchinson & Jackson, 2013).
The other important interpersonal skill applicable to Andrew is the listening skills. Just like
communication skills, listening skills are equally important as they help in the analysis of the
patient’s problems, which will enable the healthcare provider to address the problems or the
symptoms the patient is going through. In this case, it is vital to note that, the key to effective
communication is listening. Therefore, when engaging with Andrew, it is important to adopt
proper listening skills, which will involve asking questions regarding his condition or symptoms
so that important health decisions can be made (Fischer, 2016).
Signs and Symptoms of psychosis
Schizophrenia is a mental illness involving a disconnect in the relationship between behavior,
thought, and emotions leading to inappropriate feelings and action, withdrawal from personal
relationship and reality into delusions and fantasy (Norman, Gibb, Dyer, Prentice, Yelland,
Cheng & Edwards, 2016). The main symptoms of schizophrenia are delusions, hallucinations,
disorganized behavior, and negative symptoms. However, for the purposes of this paper,
symptoms of delusions and hallucinations will be discussed.
1. Delusion
Delusions are the false thoughts, impressions or beliefs held by the patient regardless of the fact
that they are not real or they contradict actual evidence, this affects the patient’s quality of life as
the patient experiences a series of paranoia (Fowler, Freeman & Bebbington, 2014). Paranoia
delusions is where the patients experiences persecutory delusions by making claims that people

are conspiring or plotting against him of which is not the case. For instance, Andrew claims that
a transmitter chip has been inserted in his brain so that the person responsible can monitor his
thoughts, which in reality is not the case. The patient also claims that electrical supplies are being
moved and the light outside being operated in order to interfere with his thoughts. Such actions
or claims portray an evidence of paranoia delusions (Phelan & McCormack, 2016). Further,
Andrew claims that the other students are conspiring with the lecturers so as to get him into
trouble. Evidently, such false claims indicate a serious case of paranoia which needs immediate
medical attention in order to ease the symptoms. In addition, Andrew is experiencing
hallucinations.
2. Hallucinations
Hallucinations refer to the false sensory experiences that take place without outside stimuli. This
means that, the patient hears and sees things that other people are not seeing or hearing, which is
not the case in reality (McEvoy, Freter, Merritt & Apperson, 2013). In the case study, Andre
claims that he can hear people talking about him and in reality there are no other people in the
room. Such symptoms are known as auditory hallucinations where the patient hears voices of
non- existing people (Tait, Birshwood & Tower, 2015). In addition, Andrew exhibited
hallucinations as he gives questionable narrations of people within the institution spying on him.
How to Respond to Andrew on the question of Prescription
Based on the nature of his condition, proper listening and communication skills aimed at helping
him manage the challenge of schizophrenia is vital for the health care provider, therefore, it is
my responsibility to explain to the patient on the nature and cause of his mental state, how to
manage his symptoms in order to improve his quality of his, and above all the importance of

using medication in order to reduce his symptoms. In this case, I will use my verbal
communication skills and empathy to explain to Andrew the importance of risperidone 1mg
nocte medication in reducing his symptoms and improving his quality of life, which include an
improvement in his school performance and his ability to socialize with the other students
without paranoia delusion symptoms. Therefore, it is important for me to explain to Andrew the
importance of using the medication and also the consequences of not using the medication. In
this case, it is important for Andrew to understand that the instructions that I am giving him are a
reassurance and guidance that will enable him cope with his symptoms as he looks forward
towards his healing process. Additionally, Andrew should know that not taking or skipping
medication can worsen his condition. For instance, May (2013) explains that, patients who do
not use antipsychotic medication as prescribed have an increased risk of relapse as compared to
those patients who use the medication as directed by the doctor. According to Olson (2015), one
of the major risks of not using the medication properly is the increased potential of assault and
many other risky behaviors like suicidal. Therefore, it is importance for Andrew and the
caregiver to follow my advice as failure to use the medication can cause a relapse, which can be
life threatening to the people around him and even to himself. In addition, it is important to make
follow up meetings to encourage and ensure that the patient is using the medication properly. In
the meetings, I will assess the progress of his health and encourage him further to use the
medication in order to recover fully.
The Care Plan to be used
As directed by the general practitioner, the patient should be well monitored by establishing an
appropriate care plan. In this case, I will address Andrew clearly and directly in a professional
way as I explain to him the diagnosis, treatment, and medication of GP. I will also explain to him

the care plan that I will use on him so that they do not think or feel that that their consent was not
taken into consideration. Second, I will teach the patient on some of the reality based and
distraction techniques that will enable him reduce the delusions and hallucinations. I will also
monitor the patient for signs and symptoms like confusions or talking to themselves in order to
use the correct medication to ease them from such symptoms. Further, I will encourage him to
speak to me when he experiences any symptoms like delusions and hallucinations, which might
suggest the relapse of the condition. In the case where the patient experiences mild symptoms, it
is imperative to offer him with guidance and counseling where I will explain to them on the
importance of sharing their beliefs or perceptions as they are the major contributors of the
delusions and hallucinations (Clearly, Hunt & Horsfall, 2015).
In addition, I will set some time aside to deal with the impaired verbal communication. The ideal
ways to achieve this is my interacting with the patient face to face. During this interaction, I will
inform the patient how to respond and react in cases where they are no able to comprehend or
respond to questions or situations they are not conversant with. When or if the patient shows lack
of emotions or interest to important matters, I will model various expressions and feelings to try
make him become sensitive to emotions (Randle, 2016). The other care plan that is of
importance will be the examination of the mental status in the case where the patient will present
severe psychotic symptoms, which might relate to bizarre behavior, verbal or physical
aggression, labile depression or mood, kill thoughts, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, anxiety,
impaired attention, and poor insight. By examining the mental status of the patient for the above
symptoms, I will be in a better position to plan for the medical treatment to ease the patient from
the symptoms. Therefore, in Andrews care plan, I will ensure that friends and family accompany
him to the facility and I will ensure all his basic needs like eating and hygiene are met.

References
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