A 19-year-old patient, newly diagnosed with schizophrenia, i…
A 19-year-old patient, newly diagnosed with schizophrenia, is hospitalized with symptoms including auditory hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech. No suicidal ideation. The physician recommends starting an antipsychotic. The patient’s parents worry about his ability to take medication daily. He has a BMI in the obese range, smokes one pack of cigarettes daily at home, and has no other medical conditions or medications. Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding his treatment?