Clinical Practice SWES Practice Exam

What is a key approach for a social worker when a client diagnosed with schizophrenia begins to hallucinate?

1. Ignoring the hallucinations to avoid confrontation

2. Engaging with the hallucination to reduce anxiety

3. Providing ego support and referring for medication

4. Encouraging the client to forget the hallucinations

The correct answer is: Providing ego support and referring for medication

When a client diagnosed with schizophrenia begins to experience hallucinations, a key approach for a social worker is to provide ego support and refer the client for medication. This is important for several reasons. Providing ego support involves validating the client's feelings and experiences while reinforcing their sense of reality, which can help reduce feelings of isolation and distress. This supportive interaction can also create a trusting relationship, encouraging the client to engage more openly about their experiences and needs. Furthermore, referring the client for medication is crucial because hallucinations may be alleviated through proper pharmacological treatment. Antipsychotic medications can effectively manage symptoms of schizophrenia, including hallucinations, and ensure the client has a better quality of life. The other approaches may not address the core issue effectively. Simply ignoring the hallucinations could leave the client feeling unsupported and may worsen their anxiety. Engaging with the hallucination might lead to reinforcing the client's delusions or misconceptions, which isn't therapeutic. Encouraging the client to forget the hallucinations could dismiss their experience and fail to provide the necessary support or intervention. Therefore, providing ego support while facilitating access to appropriate medical treatment is the most effective strategy.