Nursing Care of Schizophrenic Patients-A Review

¹Assistant Professor HOD Department of Psychiatric Nursing, JSS College of Nursing, Mysuru, India

²Assistant Professor Department of Psychiatric Nursing, JSS College of Nursing, Mysuru, India

*Corresponding Author: Purohit Saraswati, Assistant Professor HOD Department of Psychiatric Nursing, JSS College of Nursing, Mysuru, India; Email: [email protected]

Received Date: June 7, 2024

Published Date: June 28, 2024

Citation: Saraswati P, et al. (2024). Nursing Care of Schizophrenic Patients-A Review. Mathews J Nurs. 6(3):47.

Copyrights: Saraswati P, et al. © (2024).

INTRODUCTION TO SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health disorder characterized by disturbances in thought, perception, and behavior. Symptoms are typically categorized as positive (hallucinations, delusions), negative (apathy, lack of emotion), and cognitive (disorganized thinking, difficulty concentrating). Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic mental health disorder that affects a person's thinking, feeling, and behavior. It is characterized by episodes of psychosis, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.

Role of Nurses in Schizophrenia Care

Nurses play a crucial role in the management of schizophrenia, which includes assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care. Their responsibilities extend to providing emotional support, administering medications, monitoring for side effects, and educating patients and their families.

Assessment

- Comprehensive Mental Health Assessment: Nurses assess the patient's mental status, including thought processes, mood, perception and cognitive function.

- Physical Health Assessment: Regular monitoring of physical health to identify co morbid conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which are more prevalent among schizophrenic patients.

- Risk Assessment: Identifying potential risks such as self-harm, suicide, and violence towards others.

Planning

- Individualized Care Plans: Creating personalized care plans based on the patient’s specific needs, strengths, and weaknesses.

- Setting Goals: Establishing short-term and long-term goals to enhance the patient’s quality of life and promote independence.

Implementation

- Medication Management: Administering antipsychotic medications and monitoring for side effects and efficacy.

- Psycho education: Educating patients and their families about the illness, treatment options, and coping strategies.

- Psychosocial Interventions: Facilitating therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), social skills training, and occupational therapy.

- Supportive Counseling: Providing emotional support to help patients deal with the stigma and stress associated with their condition.

- Crisis Intervention: Managing acute episodes and preventing relapse through timely intervention.

Evaluation

- Monitoring Progress: Regularly evaluating the patient's progress towards established goals and adjusting care plans as necessary.

- Outcome Measurement: Using standardized tools to measure outcomes such as symptom reduction, improved functioning, and enhanced quality of life.

Challenges in Nursing Care

- Adherence to Treatment: Encouraging adherence to medication and therapy can be challenging due to side effects and the nature of the illness.

- Stigma: Addressing and mitigating the stigma associated with schizophrenia, which can affect the patient’s willingness to seek help.

- Resource Limitations: Ensuring access to adequate resources and support services for comprehensive care.

CONCLUSION

Effective nursing care for schizophrenic patients requires a holistic approach that encompasses medical, psychological, and social aspects. Nurses must remain empathetic, patient, and well-informed to provide optimal care and support for individuals living with schizophrenia.

REFERENCES

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
2. Boyd MA. (2017). Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
3. Glynn SM, Cohen AN, Dixon LB. (2008). Family-focused interventions for relapse prevention in schizophrenia. International Review of Psychiatry. 20(2):135-141.
4. Mueser KT, Jeste DV. (2008). Clinical Handbook of Schizophrenia. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
5. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2014). Psychosis and schizophrenia in adults: prevention and management (NICE guideline CG178). Retrieved from [NICE website](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg178).