Question: You Are Working On An Inpatient Psychiatric Unit And Are To Do An Initial Assessment On DJ Who Has Just Been Admitted. He Has A Diagnosis Of Schizophrenia (based On DSM-5). He Is 22 Years Old And Has Been Attending The Local University And Living At Home With His Parents. He Has Always Been A Good Student And Has Been Active Socially. Last Semester, …
You are working on an inpatient psychiatric unit and are to doan initial assessment on DJ who has just been admitted. He has adiagnosis of schizophrenia (based on DSM-5). He is 22 years old andhas been attending the local university and living at home with hisparents. He has always been a good student and has been activesocially. Last semester, his grades began declining, and he becamevery withdrawn. He spends most of his time alone in his room. Hisgrooming has deteriorated; he can go days without bathing. Forseveral weeks before admission, he insisted on keeping all of theblinds and curtains in the house closed. For the past 2 days, hehas refused to eat, saying, “They have contaminated the food.” Asyou approach DJ, you note that he appears to be carrying on aconversation with someone, but there is no one there. When you talkto him, he looks around and answers in a whisper but gives youlittle information. He states, “They are watching me and told menot to cooperate.”
Case Study Progress:
After a full mental status assessment, the psychiatrist ordersclose monitoring in the inpatient setting and an anti-psychoticmedication.
Case Study Progress:
DJ is started on olanzapine (Zyprexa). You informDJ and his family about the common side effects of thetypical antipsychotics
Case Study Outcome:
As you go in to give DJ his medication, he speaks to you infragmented sentences. “Is that a bird? The little flowers jump upand down. What says the moon?” Before you can say anything, heasks, “Do you see that bird over my bed? She is telling me not toleave this room. If I move she will swoop down and try to peck atmy eyes. Be careful!”
- Is he having an illusion or a hallucination? Explain youranswer.
- How will you respond?
