Which of the following clients is most likely being treated with a typical antipsychotic medication?

• A. A client diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder experiencing excessive worry and restlessness
• B. A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder experiencing persistent sadness and loss of interest
• C. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia experiencing positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions
• D. A client diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder experiencing intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what typical antipsychotic medications are primarily used for. These medications are mainly prescribed to treat psychotic disorders, especially schizophrenia, by targeting symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
2. Step 2: Identify the key symptoms associated with each disorder listed: generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive worry and restlessness; major depressive disorder involves persistent sadness and loss of interest; schizophrenia involves positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions; obsessive-compulsive disorder involves intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
3. Step 3: Recognize that typical antipsychotics are most effective in managing positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions, rather than symptoms of anxiety, depression, or OCD.
4. Step 4: Compare the disorders and their symptoms to determine which client’s symptoms align with the primary use of typical antipsychotic medications.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the client diagnosed with schizophrenia experiencing positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions is the most likely to be treated with a typical antipsychotic medication.