Jamie, a 29-year-old woman is being discharged in 2 days fromthe hospital after her first psychotic break, and she is extremelyparanoid. Jamie is recently divorced and has been working as alegal secretary; recently her work became erratic and hersuspicious behavior was calling attention to herself at work. Jamiewill be discharged in her mother’s care until she is able to resumeworking. Jamie’s mother is overwhelmed and asks the nurse how sheis going to cope. “Jamie has become so distant and she always takesthings the wrong way. I can hardly say anything to her without hermisconstruing everything. She is very mad at me because I called911 and had her admitted after she told me she was going to getjustice back in the world by blowing up evil forces that have beenhaunting her life and then proceeded to try to run over herex-husband, thinking he was the devil. She told me there is nothingwrong with her, and I am concerned she won’t take her medicationsonce she is discharged. What am I going to do?”
What are some of the priority concerns that the nurse couldaddress in the hospital setting before Jamie’s discharge?
b. How would you explain to Jamie’s mother some of the symptomsthat Jamie is experiencing?
c. What issues could you raise to Jamie’s nurse or clinicianabout Jamie’s medication nonadherence? What strategies might helpin this situation?
