A client who is experiencing a severe level of anxiety and reports a racing heartbeat, dizziness, and expresses a sense that something dreadful will happen. The nurse observes the client pacing and waving hands rapidly. Which action should the nurse take?

Speak calmly to the client stating assurance of safety.

Attempt to distract to another focus or activity.

Help the client to identify thoughts that may be triggers.

Explore past behaviors that have provided relief.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale: Speaking calmly and assuring the client of safety is a therapeutic intervention for managing severe anxiety and panic. It helps provide a sense of reassurance and safety to the client during an acute anxious episode.

Choice B rationale: Attempting to distract the client can be helpful in some situations, but in severe anxiety, the focus should initially be on providing a sense of safety and addressing immediate distress.

Choice C rationale: Helping the client identify thoughts is more appropriate during less acute moments or in the context of cognitive-behavioral therapy. In severe anxiety, the immediate focus is on providing support and reassurance.

Choice D rationale: Exploring past behaviors may be part of a comprehensive assessment but is not the first priority during an acute episode of severe anxiety.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale: Individual addiction counseling may be beneficial for the client but does not address the immediate physiological issue of Wernicke encephalopathy. Thiamine replacement is the priority.

Choice B rationale: Initiating disulfiram teaching is not relevant to the management of Wernicke encephalopathy. Disulfiram is used for alcohol aversion therapy, not thiamine deficiency.

Choice C rationale: Thiamine administration is the most critical intervention for Wernicke encephalopathy caused by alcohol addiction. Thiamine deficiency is a key factor in the development of this condition.

Choice D rationale: Nutrition referral may be important for the client's overall well being, but it is not the priority when the client is experiencing Wernicke encephalopathy. Immediate thiamine replacement is essential.

A. The client will eat nutritious meals in the hospital cafeteria. B. The client will verbalize feelings of a positive self-esteem. C. The family will communicate their love and concern to the client. D. The entire family will attend family therapy sessions regularly. E. None F. None

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. The client will eat nutritious meals in the hospital cafeteria.
While eating nutritious meals is essential for the physical recovery of the adolescent, improving self-esteem is the highest priority in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. A negative body image and poor self-esteem are central to the disorder, and addressing these underlying psychological factors can foster more effective long-term recovery. Although ensuring the client eats is important, achieving a positive self-image is fundamental for encouraging healthier eating behaviors and overall recovery.

B. The client will verbalize feelings of a positive self-esteem.
This goal is the most appropriate because it targets the core psychological issues that contribute to anorexia nervosa, such as distorted body image and low self-worth. Enhancing the client’s self-esteem can improve their willingness to engage in healthier behaviors, including eating, which directly supports both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery. Verbalizing positive self-esteem is a key step in addressing the psychological distortions that drive the disorder.

C. The family will communicate their love and concern to the client.
While family support is vital to the recovery process, the priority should be on the adolescent’s internal psychological healing. Family communication is important for creating a supportive environment, but it is secondary to addressing the client’s self-esteem and the immediate needs of recovery from anorexia nervosa.

D. The entire family will attend family therapy sessions regularly.
Family therapy is important, but it is not the highest priority in the acute phase of treatment. In the beginning stages of treatment, the focus should be on addressing the adolescent’s psychological and nutritional needs. Family therapy can be integrated later in the treatment plan once the client’s basic physical and emotional health are stabilized.

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A client who is experiencing a severe level of anxiety and reports a racing heartbeat, dizziness, and expresses a sense that something dreadful will happen. The nurse observes the client pacing and waving hands rapidly. Which action should the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client who experiences memory loss is diagnosed with Wernicke encephalopathy caused by alcohol addiction. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Which goal has the highest priority for an adolescent client who is hospitalized for weight loss related to anorexia nervosa?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

When developing a plan of care for a client admitted to the psychiatric unit following aspiration of a caustic material related to a suicide attempt, which nursing problem has the highest priority?

The occupational health nurse is working with an employee who was just notified that their child was involved in a motor vehicle collision and taken to the hospital. The employee states, "I can't believe this. What should I do?" Which response is best for the nurse to provide in this crisis?

The nurse is preparing a client for discharge after treatment for cocaine abuse. The client is taking home a prescription for a new medication to control cocaine cravings. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

A young adult client is admitted to a psychiatric facility with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority?

A 16-year-old female client is admitted to the psychiatric unit and states that she is depressed and anxious. The client appears frail and is wearing baggy clothes. When it is time for lunch, the client states, "I can't eat, I'm already overweight." What is the best response by the nurse?

A client with chronic alcoholism receives a prescription for disulfiram. Which client statement indicates that this medication teaching has been effective?