A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is hearing voices. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Administer a dose of fluoxetine to the client: Fluoxetine is an antidepressant and is not indicated for acute psychotic symptoms such as auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. Antipsychotic medications, not SSRIs, are the standard treatment for managing hallucinations. B. Avoid making eye contact with the client: Avoiding eye contact can be perceived as disengagement or disinterest, which may increase the client’s anxiety or mistrust. Therapeutic communication with appropriate eye contact helps establish rapport and conveys presence and support. C. Request the client to lie down in a quiet room: Forcing the client to lie down may increase distress or feelings of loss of control. While a quiet environment can reduce stimuli, the intervention should be voluntary and focused on coping strategies rather than directives. D. Encourage the client to listen to music: Listening to music can help distract the client from hallucinations and provide a coping mechanism to reduce distress. This intervention supports safety, comfort, and engagement without confrontation, aligning with therapeutic approaches for managing auditory hallucinations.