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

Option D is the most helpful statement when working with a client who has frequent angry outbursts. It acknowledges that anger is a normal emotion that everyone experiences at times. Additionally, it provides a positive perspective on anger, suggesting that it can be used constructively to solve problems.

Anger itself is not a negative emotion; it becomes problematic when it is expressed inappropriately or disruptively. By validating the client's feelings and reframing anger as a potential tool for problem-solving, the nurse can help the client explore healthier ways to cope with and express their emotions.

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

A. "You can reduce your anger by hitting a punching bag." - While physical activity can help release pent-up emotions, this statement focuses solely on a physical outlet for anger and does not address the underlying issues causing the frequent angry outbursts.

B. "You need to learn how to be less assertive in your communications." - This statement suggests that the client's assertiveness is the problem, which may not be the case. Instead, the nurse should focus on helping the client develop healthier ways to express their emotions and communicate effectively.

C. "You need to learn to suppress these angry feelings." - Encouraging the suppression of emotions is not a healthy coping mechanism. Suppressing anger can lead to increased stress and may result in more intense outbursts later on. The nurse should help the client learn constructive ways to manage and express their anger.

A. Blood pressure B. Cyanosis C. Nausea D. Petechiae

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Objective data:

Blood pressure (can be measured by the nurse)

Cyanosis (can be observed by the nurse)

Petechiae (can be observed by the nurse)

So, the subjective data in this list is "Nausea." This is information that the client shares with the nurse about their symptoms or feelings.

The objective data includes A-"Blood pressure," B-"Cyanosis," and D-"Petechiae," which are findings that the nurse can measure or observe during the physical examination.

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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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is working with a client who has frequent angry outbursts which is disrupting life at home. Which statement by the nurse is most helpful when working with this client?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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