Question

The nurse is formulating a plan of care for a client with schizophrenia. Which activity is best for increasing the client's social interaction? A. Participating in a game of volleyball B. Selecting a book from the hospital library C. Participating in a card game D. Watching TV in the unit dayroom

Short answer

Answer: Participating in a card game.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze the given options

To determine the best activity for increasing the client's social interaction, let's analyze each option: Option A: Participating in a game of volleyball - This activity involves physical activity, teamwork, and communication with other people. It may encourage the client to interact with others, which can be helpful in increasing social interaction. Option B: Selecting a book from the hospital library - This activity is relatively solitary and does not promote much social interaction. The opportunity for the client to engage with other individuals is limited. Option C: Participating in a card game - This activity involves interaction with a small group of people. It requires communication, cooperation, and some level of focus on the other participants, which may help in increasing social interaction. Option D: Watching TV in the unit dayroom - This activity may be relaxing for the client, but it does not provide ample opportunities for social interaction. The focus is on watching TV, and it is less likely to encourage the client to engage with others.

Choose the best answer

After analyzing the activities mentioned, the best answer is: Option C: Participating in a card game This option provides the most opportunities for social interaction while keeping the activity manageable for the client with schizophrenia. The card game requires communication, cooperation, and focus on other participants, which will encourage the client to interact with others and improve their social skills.

Key concepts

Nursing Interventions

Nursing interventions are structured actions and care plans formulated by nurses to help improve or maintain the health and well-being of a client. When it comes to clients with schizophrenia, these interventions are designed to address both the psychological and social needs of the client. Schizophrenia can impair social skills and communication ability, which is why targeted nursing interventions are crucial.

Interventions may include:

• Providing education about schizophrenia and its symptoms to the client and their family.


• Encouraging adherence to medication regimes to help manage symptoms effectively.


• Facilitating individual therapy sessions like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help the client better manage their symptoms and develop coping strategies.


• Implementing structured daily routines to help minimize stress and confront the challenges of daily living.


• Including social skills training to help the client develop better interpersonal skills, enhancing their ability to interact with others more smoothly.

Each intervention is meticulously designed to be patient-centered, focusing on the unique needs of each individual client. By doing so, nurses can help clients regain a sense of control over their lives and improve their quality of life.

Client Social Interaction

Social interaction can be particularly challenging for clients with schizophrenia due to symptoms such as social withdrawal and difficulty processing social cues. Enhancing client social interaction is an important goal in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Efforts to bolster social interaction include:

• Encouraging participation in group activities that require communication and cooperation, like card games, which allow for socialization in a controlled, low-pressure setting.


• Gradually engaging the client in social roles and responsibilities, tailored to their abilities and comfort levels.


• Teaching and reinforcing conversational skills, such as maintaining eye contact and active listening.


• Utilizing role-playing techniques to help clients practice and develop these skills in a safe environment.

Ultimately, enhancing social interaction helps in mitigating feelings of isolation and increasing the client's confidence in social settings. With increased interaction, clients often experience an improvement in their overall psychosocial functioning.

Group Activities for Mental Health

Group activities are a vital aspect of mental health care, particularly for clients with conditions such as schizophrenia. They provide a structured setting in which clients can practice social skills, align personal interactions, and foster a sense of community and support.

The benefits of group activities include:

• Encouraging a supportive environment where clients can share experiences and support each other emotionally.


• Improving communication skills by requiring clients to articulate thoughts and listen actively to others.


• Offering opportunities for role modeling; clients can learn social behavior by observing peers.


• Providing a sense of belonging, which can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Popular group activities include art classes, music therapy, and cooperative team sports. These activities should be carefully selected based on the client’s interests and comfort level. The group setting not only encourages the client to interact but also helps them practice new skills in a safe, understanding environment.