A patient displays disorganized speech and behavior as well as a flat affect. The patient prefers to sit alone and often appears to be listening and responding to unseen stimuli. To begin a therapeutic relationship, the nurse should:

Question

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For withdrawn patients, nurses should begin with undemanding one-to-one interactions. Providing a simple activity might help the patient focus on the here and now and provide a basis for reality-oriented communication. Watching television together does nothing to build trust. Medication education might be of little benefit if the patient is hallucinating and unable to pay attention to what is being taught. Asking what the voices are saying time after time is not beneficial to the patient, who needs to be distracted from them and focus on the real world.

A Patient Displays Disorganized Speech and Behavior as Well as a Flat