What should the nurse do if a client exhibiting psychotic symptoms refuses medication?

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Engaging the client in a conversation about their feelings is an important and therapeutic approach in this situation. When a client exhibits psychotic symptoms and refuses medication, it is critical for the nurse to recognize the client's autonomy while also exploring their thoughts and feelings about the medication. This dialogue can help the nurse understand the reasons behind the refusal, which could be related to mistrust, fear of side effects, or a lack of insight regarding their condition.

Having this conversation can also promote rapport and trust, which may encourage the client to reconsider their decision about medication. Open communication can sometimes lead to the client being more open to treatment and less resistant, potentially improving their overall outcome.

Additionally, while respecting the client's right to refuse medication is necessary, simply documenting the refusal without further engagement does not address the underlying issues or promote therapeutic rapport. Therefore, initiating a meaningful discussion is the most beneficial action to take in this scenario.

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