A client who has been physically aggressive arrives at the emergency department for a psychiatric assessment. Which approach would be best for the nurse to use?

Use brief statements and questions to obtain information.

Provide close contact to increase the client's sense of safety.

Have a sense of humor to show a lack of fear.

Use open-ended questions so the client can elaborate.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Explanation: When dealing with a client who has been physically aggressive and is in distress, the best approach for the nurse is to use brief statements and questions to obtain essential information. This approach helps to keep the communication clear, focused, and non-threatening. The nurse should maintain a calm and assertive demeanor while avoiding lengthy discussions that may escalate the client's agitation.

Options not appropriate in this situation:

B. Providing close contact to increase the client's sense of safety may not be safe for the nurse or the client, especially when dealing with someone who has been physically aggressive. It is essential to maintain a safe distance and ensure the safety of everyone involved.

C. Having a sense of humor to show a lack of fear can be misinterpreted by the client and may not be appropriate or therapeutic in this context. The focus should be on establishing a professional and respectful rapport with the client, prioritizing their needs and safety.

Option D may not be the best approach because open-ended questions could lead to lengthy responses, which may not be suitable for a client who is in distress and potentially aggressive. The nurse should aim for concise and clear communication to ensure safety and facilitate a psychiatric assessment efficiently.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

In this situation, the client's safety is of utmost importance. Expressing a desire to leave the facility and harm oneself with a gun raises serious concerns about the client's safety and the risk of harm to themselves. Initiating commitment proceedings, also known as involuntary hospitalization or psychiatric hold, allows the facility to legally detain the client temporarily for their protection and evaluation by mental health professionals. This allows for a thorough assessment of the client's mental health status and the formulation of a comprehensive treatment plan to ensure their safety.

Options A, B, and C are not appropriate in this situation:

A. Calling security to detain the client may escalate the situation and could potentially lead to increased risk of harm.

B. Contacting the client's family may not be enough to ensure the client's safety, and it is essential to involve mental health professionals in evaluating the client's risk.

C. Allowing the client to leave without addressing their expressed suicidal ideation is not safe, as the client may be at high risk for self-harm or suicide. Simply referring them to community resources without further evaluation and intervention is not sufficient to address the immediate safety concern.

A. In order to protect the rights of the client, the nurse should report the behavior to the supervisor. B. The client is entitled to have a relationship with anyone and the nurse should ignore the behavior. C. The nurse should confront the nurse and tell them the behavior must immediately stop. D. Discuss this with the client and tell them they are being emotionally manipulated.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

When a nurse observes another nurse acting flirtatiously and bringing small gifts to a client in the behavioral health unit, it raises concerns about professional boundaries and the potential for unethical behavior. The priority action for the observing nurse is to protect the rights and well-being of the client.

Option A, reporting the behavior to the supervisor, is the appropriate course of action. Reporting the observed behavior to the supervisor ensures that the situation is investigated and addressed by the appropriate authorities within the healthcare facility. This action helps maintain the integrity of the therapeutic relationship between the client and healthcare team and protects the client from any potential exploitation or manipulation.

Options B, C and D are not appropriate actions:

B. Ignoring the behavior is not appropriate as it does not address the concerns about professional boundaries and the potential for unethical behavior. Ignoring such behavior may allow it to continue, potentially putting the client at risk.

C. Confronting the nurse directly without first reporting the behavior to the supervisor may not be the most appropriate course of action. It is essential to involve the appropriate authorities within the healthcare facility to conduct a proper investigation and address the situation professionally.

D. Discussing the situation with the client and making assumptions about emotional manipulation may not be appropriate or accurate. It is not the observing nurse's role to discuss such matters with the client. Instead, the appropriate course of action is to report the observed behavior to the supervisor or appropriate authority within the healthcare facility.

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A client who has been physically aggressive arrives at the emergency department for a psychiatric assessment. Which approach would be best for the nurse to use?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse observes another nurse acting flirtatiously and bringing small gifts, such as candy, to a client in the behavioral health unit. Which action is a priority by the observing nurse?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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